How to protect Wi-Fi from hackers – Guide
Your home probably has a WiFi router to provide internet access for the whole family. When people approach, they ask for a password so they can view something on their smartphone or show vacation photos stored in the cloud. Before long, many people knew your WiFi password and people could connect to your router whenever they passed your house. In an apartment building, your router’s signal is broadcast to a neighboring apartment. Unlike physical networks, WiFi systems can extend beyond the walls of your home. ..
Your home network is a valuable asset that should be protected from unauthorized access. You need to consider ways to control who can access your network and the signal footprint of your router.
How to protect wifi from hackers
Here are a few simple tips to help keep your Wi-Fi network secure:
- Change the default password on your router. This will make it more difficult for someone to access your network without your permission.
- Use a strong password that is different from the default password.
- Keep your router up-to-date with the latest security patches.
- Don’t leave your router unattended in an open area, especially if there are children nearby who could access it easily.
- Always use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, as this will help protect your data from being intercepted by hackers. ..
Change your router’s admin credentials
Your router has a username and password that are used to access your router settings. Whenever you purchase a router, whether new or used, immediately change the username and password. If someone is able to access your Wi-Fi network, they can try to log into the router with that information.
If you never updated your login credentials after getting your router, you are vulnerable to a router password hack. And if you bought a router from someone else, you can’t be sure who has that old login information. Anyway, change up your router password as soon as possible to make sure that your Wi-Fi is secure. Use strong password creation practices or create a truly indecipherable password with random strings of characters to prevent hackers from easily breaking into your router. ..
Enable WPA2 (or WPA3) Encryption
The Wi-Fi Protected Access security protocol (WPA2 and WPA3) are two of the most popular security protocols in use today. They protect your router from unauthorized access by encrypting your traffic. This is the same type of encryption we use at Avast for our super-secure Avast SecureLine VPN, so you know it’s good. Any router worth buying will be WPA2 enabled and some newer models may feature WPA3.
Enable WPA2 or WPA3 encryption on your router so that anyone who wants to connect will need your Wi-Fi password. And make sure you set a strong password by following smart password creation habits. These simple steps will give any aspiring Wi-Fi hacker a serious challenge.
Change your router’s network name (SSID)
While you are configuring your router, changing your admin credentials and setting a strong password, change the SSID as well. SSID stands for Service Set Identifier, which in everyday terms is the name of your Wi-Fi network. New routers often display the router brand in the SSID, and Wi-Fi hackers can use this information to help them. To crack your password. Set a custom network name so they don’t know what type of router you have.
The more clues you give a hacker, the easier his job will be. Use creative names for your Wi-Fi networks and make them difficult to guess. WPA encryption uses the SSID as part of the algorithm, so avoiding standard or common network names will make your network more resistant to password cracking methods such as rainbow tables. Plus, it’s fun to give your neighbors something to laugh about.
disable WPS
Many routers also have WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), which means you can send a button or enter a PIN to connect instead of using the password. While clearly more convenient, the security level drops when using buttons or PINs instead of passwords.
If you can physically touch your router, you will be able to send WPS button and connect. And a short PIN is much easier to crack with a brute force attack than a long, complex password. Unfortunately, not all routers support disabling WPS features, so if yours does, disable WPS as soon as possible and set a password.
Disable wireless/remote administration
Remote administration allows you to log into your router’s admin settings from anywhere in the world. But unless you’re a developer, chances are slim that you’ll need to do this. If you disable this feature, you will only be able to access its settings when your computer is physically connected to the router with an Ethernet cable. Disabling remote administration is a convenient way to keep hackers at bay.
Update your router’s firmware
If you’re looking to update your router’s firmware, be sure to check the router’s manual first. Many routers have firmware updates available that can protect your device from vulnerabilities. ..
Use a cybersecurity tool that secures your Wi-Fi network
Wi-Fi security is important to keep your network safe. Avast’s free antivirus software includes a built-in Wi-Fi Inspector that constantly scans your network for any suspicious activity or devices. If you notice any issues, you can take action to secure your network and remove any devices that don’t belong there. ..
fight against hackers
If you’re not careful, hackers can use their tools to gain access to your devices and personal information. You can protect yourself by using strong passwords, avoiding infected websites, and protecting your data with security software.
Hackers can purchase your passwords after a data breach is exposed. But you can protect yourself by using Avast One, which has a built-in behavior shield. Avast One defends against viruses and other malware, blocks malicious websites, and helps to protect your data after a breach. It is free to download today. ..
Final note
This guide is designed to help you protect your Wi-Fi from hackers. If you have any questions about this article, please don’t hesitate to ask us. Additionally, please share this guide with your friends so they can also benefit from its tips.
