How to Secure WiFi Network

Securing your WiFi network is crucial in today’s world, and it’s essential to safeguard your personal information and devices.Firstly, change the default username and password, so hackers can’t access your network easily. Secondly, enable WPA2 security, which is the best encryption method for WiFi networks. Thirdly, disable the SSID broadcast, which prevents your network from appearing on the list of visible networks.

Overview:

Protecting your WiFi Network from hackers and intruders can be a bit complicated. Here, we have provided simple ways to show you how to secure wifi network / router from online threats. The main concern about the wireless networks is that unlike wired networks, it can extend beyond the walls of your home.

If your password compromised for any reasons, it is very difficult to control who can access your wifi router(home network). Therefore, you need to consider to accomplish a few changes that protect you from intruders.

10 Tips to Secure WiFi Router:

Ensure that your WiFi network is secure by regularly monitoring your network for unauthorized users, suspicious activity, and vulnerabilities. By following these tips, you can effectively secure your WiFi network and enjoy a safe and secure internet connection.

1. Change the Router’s Default Login Credentials

It is recommended to change the default password on a Wi-Fi router for several reasons. Firstly, the default password is well-known and easy to access, making it vulnerable to hackers who can access the network in seconds. Secondly, changing the default password to something more secure can help protect your network from unauthorized access. Finally, changing your wireless router password is an excellent first step in securing your network.

Every WiFi router has a default username and password for gaining access to the configuration web page, usually “admin” is the default value for both the username and password. You can change the default credentials from the router’s administration web page. (Read More : How to Access Router Settings? )

2. Keep the Router Firmware up to date

You should update the router’s firmware once you install it. The latest version of firmware assures you from the most common security bugs and problems.

3. Change the Default Network Name (SSID)

Changing the default SSID (Wi-Fi name) on a router can help improve the security of your home network. Using a default or common SSID can make it easier for hackers to crack the WPA2 encryption. The network name is part of the encryption algorithm, and password cracking dictionaries (rainbow tables) include common SSIDs. Changing an SSID to a unique name can make networks easier to locate and avoid falling victim to a cyberattack. Finally, changing the default SSID would allow you to easily identify your wireless network if there are lots of others about.

WiFi Routers manufactures often use their brand name in the default network name (SSID), so everybody who can see your WiFi name knows your home router’s brand.  Finding the router’s brand is 20% of hacking process.

4. Change the Default Router’s IP address

Changing the default IP address of a router can help improve security. Manufacturers typically use a basic IP address (192.168.0.1 and 192.168.1.1 are used for many), which is used to access the router login page.

The first thing intruders do after penetrating your network is to check whether this IP address is accessible or not. Finding the router’s IP address is the most important hacker’s goal.

5. Using Strong WiFi Password

Every client should use a password to connect to your network, this password can be a simple one like “mypassword” or a complex one “MyP@ssw0rd” . The simple passwords can easily reveal by using the free password hacking tools available in the internet web sites. It means every amateur hacker can penetrate to your home network , if you choose a simple password.

A strong password is one that is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. It’s also important to avoid using common words or phrases that can be easily guessed.

At the other hand, the password security option is too important. There are a few security types ( WEP , WPA , WPA2 , WPA3 ) available for password. The WPA2 is the most common for home routers ( WPA3 is the most secure password type , but is not available in all routers) .

Read More : Best Secure WiFi Routers

6. Disable WPS

WPS is a security option in home wifi router, which allow the clients to connect to the network by pushing a button in the router and the client device simultaneously.

It is recommended to turn off WPS on your WiFi router settings to keep your network secure. When WPS is enabled, it is easier for hackers to break into your network. WPS makes it easier for you to add devices onto your network, which means it’s also easier for others to get in.

7. Turn Off the Remote Access

The web console of a router should only be accessible from the local network only. However, a standard router setting enables remote access. It means that you can access the router’s web console over the internet, from another location. Unfortunately, if you can do that, the intruders can do also. So, turn off the remote access option.

8. Turn on The Firewall

The firewall is a common security option in home WiFi routers and should always be enabled. The firewall is working as a guard between your home network and the internet. When you enable the firewall, most of well-known network attacks will be prevented.

9. Disable Router DHCP Server

This step is a recommendation, not a necessary step. Each client need an IP address within the local network’s range to be able to connect to other network’s devices. By default, your wifi router provides an IP address to each client automatically by the DHCP server system.

So , if the Hacker penetrates  to your network , obtain an IP address from DHCP server and then find out the Router and other devices’  IP Addresses . It’s a good idea to disable the DHCP and allocate IP addresses manually. this step may be a bit difficult for non-specialist users, but you can get help from your internet provider help desks.

10. Mac Filtering

MAC filtering on a router is an access control method that checks the MAC address of each device before allowing or denying access to the network. The MAC address is a unique identifier of the physical interface device that is using the network. To set up MAC filtering on a router, the administrator must configure a list of devices that are allowed to join and enter their MAC addresses into the router settings. MAC filtering may be referred to by different names depending on the router model. MAC filtering is supposed to add an extra layer of protection, but it is easy to breach and tedious to maintain.

The MAC address is a static and unique value in HEX format which is burned on the network adapter’s chipset (as network card identifier).

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