How to Secure Your Home Internet Connection
Homes are filled with a range of smart gadgets all of which are connected to the home internet. From your smartphone, TV, baby monitor, to home security system, everything in between, since we are so reliant on the internet, this has opened a backdoor to security issues.
Hackers are sitting in an ambush. They take advantage of even the tiniest lapse in security to launch an attack. If they are able to gain control over your home network, stealing your personal information is just a piece of cake for them.
Just like you lock all doors and windows before going to bed, you MUST be on the lookout for your home internet connection. Here are some basic to advanced steps to take for securing your home network:
1: Rename Your Wireless Router
Wireless routers come with a generic username and password. The first thing you do to boost network security is to change the credentials. You’ll need to use this general admin information when setting up the router for the first time, but after it’s up and running, you must remain both. The default router usernames and passwords are public records. This makes a hacker’s job easy—especially if you don’t change the router’s factory settings.
Start by changing the username and password for your router and then change the name of your home network too. If you are a subscriber of Spectrum Internet services and you are not that tech-savvy, contact Spectrum customer service 866 and ask them for help. They should be able to guide you.
2: Download and Install a Firewall
Adding third-party protection to keep hostile actors out of your network is important. A firewall is an excellent tool for securing your home internet connection. In the case of Charter, when you are paying for Spectrum wifi prices, you are actually getting a security suite too. It’s meant to protect the connected devices from malware and viruses. But, even if you have a security suite, you still need a firewall.
Firewalls are a type of network security gadget that keeps track of all the data that passes across your network. It detects if the data is authentic or potentially dangerous. The job of a firewall is to prevent potentially harmful data packets from reaching the device connected to the internet.
3: Turn Off the Wi-Fi When You’re Not Home
Turning off your home network when you’re not at home is one of the simplest ways to secure your network against assault. You don’t really need to keep the Wi-Fi on if you are not using it. Turning it off will keep the opportunistic hackers breaking into your home network especially if you are gone for vacation.
4: Enable Network Encryption
Encryption is available on most WPA2 as well as WPA3 routers. To enable this function, just go to your router’s Wi-Fi settings. using your IP address and router login credentials to log in. Once the network encryption is enabled, any data exchanged between your wireless network and your device becomes encrypted.
This will prohibit anyone from eavesdropping on your Wi-Fi network without first logging in. after you enable this feature, you’ll need to manually reconnect all your devices to the wireless network.
5: Use a VPN
VPNs are effective when it comes to data security. This tool establishes a secure and encrypted connection between your device and a server. That server talks with the internet for sending and receiving data on your behalf. Thanks to the VPN, because all that data is transferred over a secure connection, no one can see it. Your browsing activities are fully secure due to encryption.
6: Use MAC Address Filtering
MAC address is a unique identification on most broadband routers. This address can boost your network security increase security by limiting the number of devices that can connect to the home network. enable MAC addresses on all your home devices, and the network will only accept connections from these allowed addresses. This will serve as a protection against malicious attacks.
7: Update Your Firmware
When you choose service plans much like the Spectrum silver packages, they already ensure all firmware provided to the customer is updated. However, that doesn’t mean updating the firmware isn’t your responsibility.
Routers must be updated regularly. Router firmware, like the operating system on your phone or computer, gets updated anytime a vulnerability is discovered. Set a monthly reminder to check your router’s settings to see if an update is available and hit install.
8: Place Your Router Where You Can See It
Place your router somewhere in the middle where you can actually see it. This will keep the device out of the view of hackers. Don’t place routers near external doors or windows.
Summing Up
Learning how to protect your data from thieves by securing your home’s Wi-Fi is a mandatory thing. Given the number of devices that we connect to our network, we must take every precaution possible to prevent hackers from infiltrating our connection.