Cyber-attacks and hacking have been on the rise for quite a while now. The simplest thing you can do to prevent your network from being hacked is to safeguard your router. Learn a few easy steps to secure your internet connection and why you should choose Excitel broadband for your home Wi-Fi.
Rename your router and network
If you are setting up a new router and network at home, you must change its default name and password. Its default name and password will be publicly available to hack it easily. Also, if you feel you have not changed your password for a long, do it. After you change the router name, it’s time to give a new name to your home Wi-Fi network. This setup is called SSID (service set identifier). By following this procedure, you can keep your home internet secure. Click on ‘forget network’ on all your devices and add the new network name. It is easy to do it from your laptop or computer. Follow these steps to change the SSID.
- Open Windows Command Prompt
- Type in ‘ipconfig’
- Locate your IP Address
- Type your IP Address on the browser
- Enter your router’s login credentials
- Open Wi-Fi settings
- Change SSID and password
Use strong passwords
You would have probably heard this a lot, but always generate strong passwords with at least 8-16 characters. You should not only use solid passwords but make sure you remember them. Before setting it, you have many online tools and sites to verify whether your new password is strong. Make changes accordingly, and your network will be safe from hackers!
Update to the latest version
Whenever any discrepancy is found, the router setting is changed by its manufacturers. So, constantly check for the latest versions so that hackers do not access your sensitive information.
Turn on encryption
Securing your router with encryption is one of the easiest ways to keep it secure, as all the routers in the market are encrypted. Look for WPA2 or WPA option on your router. Set it to AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), where you can have passwords ranging from 8 to 63 characters.
Use multiple firewalls
You can protect your devices from getting hacked by using a firewall. A firewall provides an extra layer of protection between your router and the internet. The firewall can sometimes be turned off in your router by default. Make sure you turn it on before using it for the first time. Even though you cannot secure your connection with only a firewall, pairing its anti-virus software will make it efficient.
Browse with VPN
To avoid online scams and unnecessary advertisements, turn on the VPN in your browser. With VPN, no one can know where and what you are surfing on the browser. Add a VPN to the browser if you use a public network or device. To keep your computer safe from hackers, if you are using the internet extensively, you can also use VPNs for your home networks.
Use anti-virus software
An anti-virus software checks for any malicious downloads on your devices. This feature lets you know if your computer or phones is under attack.
Connect to a reliable network
Without VPN, it is always unsafe to browse on unreliable networks. Hackers steal your information by setting up dummy public networks. So, be careful of which networks you are using.
Limit access to your network
It is always better to restrict the number of users or connections on your router, and you can also do this by using strong passwords.
Create a guest network
Your personal Wi-Fi network attracts risks if you allow anyone to access it. Instead of randomly giving your Wi-Fi access to people, you can use the feature ‘guest network’ on the router. This provides limited access to the internet, and no one can misuse the connected devices and internally shared files over your primary Wi-Fi. By creating a guest network, a new SSID and password are generated, which does not affect your primary internet connection.
Switch to WPA3 router
WPA3 routers are the latest in the market, which are here for more than four years now. WPA3 router is recommended by the experts, as it allows the hacker to guess the password only once. Hence, return your outdated routers to save your internet connection.
Disable remote access
If your router allows a remote access feature, it is at risk of being hacked by someone from any part of the world through the web. Disable remote access because the router may be susceptible to attack if there are any glitches.
Place the router in the middle of your home
No one can access or use your Wi-Fi if you place it in the middle of your room. The signal will be low, so only your family can access it. Keep it away from windows, too, as you may never know who is trying to hack your connection.
If you are looking for a wireless and broadband connection for your home, Excitel provides high-speed and secured internet too. Trust Excitel’s Wi-Fi connectivity, and do not worry about your broadband security, as we have a brilliant team of experts along with the latest technology.
