The Internet allows you to work remotely, even from the comfort of your own home. To do so, all you need is a computer and a wireless connection. However, it is important to consider the security risks which come along with your wireless connection at home.
To ensure that you are protected against potential hackers, here are 5 ways you can protect your home office wireless network.
- Router Security
Using the encryption on your Wi-Fi router is the first and most basic step of securing your home network. To do so, you will need to access the security settings for your router. Look for the options to encrypt the signal, these will include WEP, WPA and WPA2. WEP is the least secure option and it should only be used if your devices do not support the other options. Opt for WPA or WPA 2. - Hide your Network
The SSID is essentially the name of your home network. When your router is set to broadcast the SSID, it provides devices that are searching for a wireless network, with the name of your connection. If a person can identify your network, this gives them the first piece of information that they will need to access it. With this feature disabled, any person that wants access to your network, will need to find the name of the connection before they can start trying to hack your password. This creates another layer of protection. - Customize your Network Name
Changing the name of your network is a good idea for two reasons. The default name on the router is likely to be something very common, such as the word default, or the name of the manufacturer. By changing it, you show any potential hacker that you took the basic security steps to protect the connection. It also makes it more difficult to guess after disabling your SSID broadcast. - Password Change
Every router has a password to allow for administrative access. This is where you go to make adjustments to how the network operates, or to change settings such as the encryption. The problem is that with most wireless routers, the default username and password will be something simple and easy for an outside individual to find out. Go to the security settings on your router, and change the password to something that only you will know. - Choose Who Has Access
Even with all of the above steps, it may still be possible for a determined individual to gain access to your home network. With MAC filtering, you can ensure that only devices that you trust will be able to gain access. Every device has a MAC address and you can list the devices that you want to grant access to in the MAC filtering settings.
Making sure that the home network is secure should be a concern for every person, but if you work from home, the concern is elevated. Following the above steps will protect your network and your information, while also providing you with peace of mind.
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