In an age where people work, either from home, the office, or Teleworking, wireless network health and performance are important. Given the series of meetings, online working, and Internet necessities that come with teleworking.
In all these, home network security is important, from the password, and hacking, to maximizing network availability during work. You might think internet safety is only for large servers or company-related networks, but that’s not all to it.
The home networks are vulnerable too and can be attacked or infected. An important component of internet safety is having a secure home network. Hackers can use susceptible networks to commit a variety of cyber crimes, including the installation of malware, data, and identity theft, and the creation of botnets.
So, if you telework, between home, and office, here are practical tips for getting your home wireless network as secure as possible.
1. Change to a unique Network name and Password
The network name (SSID) and password must be changed immediately to improve the security of your home network.
Most routers could have overly simple default passwords that leave them open to assaults. into certain routers, the login and password are permanently engraved into the hardware, making them easily accessible.
It’s critical to change administrator and Wi-Fi passwords with secure, one-of-a-kind credentials issued using a reliable password manager. The security and randomness of these passwords are guaranteed by password managers.
Also, think about giving your network a distinctive SSID. Don’t use private information to frighten off possible attackers. These actions are the first step in keeping your network safe. Using distinct SSIDs and changing passwords often are important security procedures for your home network.
2. Network Encryption
Wireless routers frequently come with encryption turned off by default. A key action in boosting network security is turning on the encryption option on your home router. To secure transmissions and make sure that only your device and the Wi-Fi router can decode the transmitted data, there are four widely used Wi-Fi protection mechanisms.
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA 2), and Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA 3), which are newer and updated versions, are some of these security measures. Due to its cutting-edge capabilities, WPA 2 and WPA 3 stand out as preferable choices for customers wanting strong security. On the other hand, brute force assaults are more likely to succeed against the earlier versions, WPA and WEP.
For best results, consider creating a separate guest wireless network that uses WPA 2 or WPA 3 encryption and is protected by a strong password if your router enables it. When hosting guests, a guest network is very useful since it makes sure that their potentially hacked or infected devices don’t impact the security of your main network.
3. Update Network Firmware
Your home network’s firmware has to be updated often to stay effective and safe, just like any other hardware or software. Your router, access points, and other network components are all controlled by firmware, which is the underlying program.
Firmware upgrades frequently contain crucial security fixes that shield your network from flaws that hackers may exploit. Manufacturers issue updates to fix newly found flaws as cyber threats are always changing. If you ignore these upgrades, your network may be vulnerable to attacks.
To update your network firmware, follow these short steps;
- Visit the manufacturer’s website for your device.
- Access your router’s settings through a web browser.
- Within the settings, find the firmware update option.
- Download the most recent firmware version.
- Back up your router settings before proceeding.
- After the download, restart your router for the update to take effect.
4. Use of VPN for more Security
A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is yet another effective weapon in your toolbox for accomplishing this. This protects your data with strong encryption, rendering it unintelligible to possible listeners.
By hiding your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic, VPNs safeguard your online privacy. They provide unlimited browsing by allowing you to get around geo-restrictions and access material from wherever.
VPNs also provide secure remote access, whether you’re working from home or on the road, by supplying secure, encrypted connections and protecting your confidential data.
Think about things like server locations, speed, logging practices, and simplicity of use when choosing a VPN service. Selecting a reliable VPN service is crucial if you want to make sure that your data is secure.
The majority of VPN services provide user-friendly, straightforward software for your devices. Download the VPN client, sign in, and connect to a server after subscribing to the service. Now, prospective attacks cannot affect your online activity.
5. Use of Firewall
A smart firewall is essential for defending your computer against a variety of online dangers, such as viruses, malware, and intrusions that might be dangerous. Although many wireless routers include built-in firewalls, it’s crucial to confirm that this security function is turned on. These firewalls could occasionally be deactivated by default, leaving your network exposed.
If you find that your wireless router does not have a built-in firewall, you must take immediate steps to safeguard your network. Installing a powerful firewall solution on your PC will improve your security. The security of your digital environment is guaranteed by this extra layer of defense, which will successfully reject any harmful attempts to enter your wireless network.
6. Use different accounts for Smart home devices
Smart home gadget proliferation has raised several cybersecurity issues. The possibility for hackers to exploit these gadgets grows along with the number of internet-connected devices. Unfortunately, not all Internet of Things (IoT) devices have perfect security records.
Establishing a separate Wi-Fi network just for your smart home devices is an efficient way to strengthen your router’s security and protect against potential router assaults. The term “Virtual Local Area Network” (VLAN) is frequently used to describe this.
You may strategically separate your most important devices, such as PCs and cellphones that store sensitive data, onto one network by putting a VLAN in place.
Your less secure gadgets are simultaneously moved to a separate network. This configuration minimizes the possibility of hackers using insufficiently protected smart home devices as access points to your computers or smartphones.
7. Disable Remote Admin Access
Disabling remote administrative access is a key step in securing your home network. Because remote administrative access makes it possible for someone to manage your network from outside your house, it might be a point of entry for online dangers.
You may make sure that only those with permission and physical access to your network can make administrative changes by blocking this functionality.
Log in to your router’s settings and go to the remote administration area to accomplish this. Disable all remote access options, and ensure sure the administrator accounts have secure, one-of-a-kind passwords.
This straightforward but very efficient strategy greatly lowers the possibility of illegal access and improves the security of your network.
8. Update All Connected Devices
Mobile functionality is incorporated into many of the devices on your network, including computers, tablets, and smartphones. As a result of their frequent teleworking wireless network connections and potential use of public Wi-Fi, youngsters become more vulnerable to viruses and other dangers.
The likelihood of coming across viruses and hacking attempts increases when utilized outside of your house. It’s critical to implement proper cybersecurity procedures to protect your home router:
Maintain frequent software upgrades and, if practical, turn on automatic updates to fix security flaws. Devices should also be secured with difficult-to-guess strong, unique passwords. A password manager can come in handy for this.
Lastly, check to see if your gadgets have complete antivirus software. Kaspersky Total Security, for instance, has a strong defense against hackers, and malware.
FAQs
Securing your home wireless network is crucial for teleworking to protect sensitive work data, maintain online privacy, and prevent unauthorized access to your network.
Yes, enabling 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your router’s admin interface, making it harder for unauthorized users to access your settings.
MAC address filtering allows you to specify which devices can connect to your network. While it can enhance security, it’s not foolproof and can be cumbersome to manage.
Implement a strong firewall, regularly update all connected devices, use a VPN for added encryption, and be cautious about the websites and email attachments you access.
Immediately disconnect affected devices from the network, change your Wi-Fi password, and run security scans. Consider seeking assistance from your employer’s IT department or a professional if necessary.
Conclusions
To conclude, securing your home wireless network for teleworking is essential to protect against cyber threats. Focus on changing your network name and password, enabling encryption (preferably WPA 2 or WPA 3), keeping firmware updated, considering a VPN for data security, activating your router’s firewall, creating a separate network for smart devices, disabling remote admin access, and regularly updating all connected devices. These steps will help ensure a secure home network for teleworking.
