Tap to Read ➤

Simple and Effective Ways to Keep Your Home Network Safe

As online activity becomes increasingly ingrained in our daily lives, cyber security has become more important than ever.
Richard Clayton
These days, it seems as if there are hackers, malware spreaders and virus developers lurking around every corner – and all it takes is one slipup to have your online security compromised.
With this in mind, security-conscious individuals would be wise to secure their home networks. The measures mentioned here will help keep your household’s most sensitive online information away from the wrong hands and provide you with tremendous peace of mind.

Invest in the Right Tools

When it comes to securing a home network, there’s no substitute for the right tools. With dependable security-focused hardware and software in your corner, you’ll be able to set the stage for long-term network safety. For starters, you’ll need to invest in a reliable network security program.
In addition to making infiltration considerably more difficult, the right software will be able to combat viruses, malware and other cyber threats. Secondly, make sure to get your hands on a highly-rated network security box.
For maximum convenience, many of these boxes are wireless and are able to protect every device connected to your home network. Whether it’s a computer, phone, gaming console or smart TV, a good box will be able to keep it out of harm’s way.

Password Protection

Password-protecting your home network is the absolute least you can do with regard to security. However, despite how easy this process is, a staggering number of internet users simply can’t be bothered.
While some people find the idea of password protection cumbersome, others are completely unaware of its existence. This isn’t helped by the fact that most routers don’t require owners to enable password protection.
If you don’t take the time to password-protect your home network, you’re practically setting yourself up for bad things. If you’re unclear on how to enable password protection on your router, simply check the device’s owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website or place a call to the company’s support line.
When working to create the perfect password, opt for nonsense over common phrases and word pairings. The more nonsensical your password, the less likely cybercriminals are to guess it. If you really want to keep criminals on their toes, consider changing your password on a consistent basis.

Change the Administrator Password

The vast majority of routers come pre-loaded with default passwords and logins for network administrators. While this may seem convenient, it also makes it easier for criminals to find their way into your administration menu. Once there, they’ll be able to change various settings, infiltrate your devices and lock you out of your network.
To nip this problem in the bud, change your router’s administrator password at your earliest convenience. This ensures that even if a hacker is able to ascertain your router’s maker and model number, they’ll still be unable to access the administration menu.
Again, if you’re unclear on how to go about this, the owner’s manual and/or manufacturer’s website are likely to hold the answers you seek.

Enable Encryption

In the fight against hackers, network encryption can be a powerful weapon. In most cases, enabling encryption is a simple matter of logging into your administration menu and selecting your preferred form of encryption from a drop-down menu.
When it comes to Wi-Fi, there are two primary types of encryption: WPA and WPA2. Your owner’s manual should be able to tell you which form of encryption is recommended for your particular model. For encryption to be truly effective, every device connected to your home network must have the same encryption settings.
Many of us rarely stop to consider how prominent a role the internet plays in our daily lives. From doing our jobs to staying in touch with friends and family, the web facilitates a seemingly endless assortment of everyday activities.
As such, there’s little wonder as to why cyber criminals are never at a loss for targets. If online security is what you seek, there’s no way around safeguarding your home network.
Fortunately, keeping unwelcome visitors off of said network isn’t nearly as daunting as you may think. Armed with the pointers discussed, you should have no problem providing your home network with the security it needs.