The internet is a wonderful thing but at the same time, it can be a challenge to stay safe nowadays. There are so many scams and scammers out there that you’re only one vulnerability issue away from being the next victim of a cybercrime.
At the same time, policing these cybercrimes is challenging when there’s nothing governing it on a global scale. With that being said, you should look at ways to tighten your security when it comes to your home usage.
Protecting both your family and yourself is an essential part of preventing cyber criminals from accessing your most confidential information. Here are several tips to improve your internet safety at home.
Change your home’s default WI-FI name
One of the main issues that comes with internet safety is ensuring your home’s WI-FI is secure from prying eyes. One vulnerability that can cause problems is the default name of your home WI-FI. Why? Well, it gives the hacker a better chance of breaking into your network when it broadcasts SSID (service set identifier).
This will ensure hackers have a lesser chance of breaking into your network. Resetting your network’s SSID is something that will not disclose any personal information. As such, it throws hackers off their attempts to infiltrate your home WI-FI.
If you’re struggling to think of a good name, consider picking a name that doesn’t draw attention. You could always set a note in your calendar to change it routinely. This might be helpful to further prevent any attempts of cybercrime.
Set a strong password
Passwords are a common problem when it comes to comprised home WI-FI. Not only that but a weak password can also be the thing that helps cyber criminals hack accounts of all kinds. From your online banking to logins online that have access to your financial information.
Setting a strong password is key to helping reduce the chances of falling victim to a cyber attack.
When it comes to choosing a password, make sure it’s unique to the WIFI and not a password you’ve used before. It should have a personal meaning to you but not contain personal information. The password should contain upper and lowercase letters that are randomized, as well as numbers.
There is also software that you can now purchase whereby all of your passwords for everything is locked under one tool that you simply add to your browser in order to automatically log you in once you give the password to the software. This might be useful for those who are often forgetful with their passwords.
Spend your money on a VPN
A virtual private network or VPN for short, establishes a digital connection by encrypting your personal data and masking your IP address. As a result, it sidesteps website blocks and firewalls on the internet.
This is useful for evading the attention of cyber criminals and it’s also a useful way of accessing sites that would otherwise be unavailable due to your country’s origin.
For example, if you wanted to watch a television program only available in a certain country, having a VPN would be useful. It’s money well spent when you’re looking to improve the security of your WI-FI and make you less noticeable. You should look to download VPN for Windows or Mac depending on what type of computer or device you have.
VPNs are extremely popular right now, so it’s definitely worth spending your money on one this year.
Make sure you have a good firewall
Firewalls are there to help protect those who are often browsing websites of all kinds. You never really know what your loved ones are searching online, meaning there might always be risks to your WI-FI and personal information.
With a firewall, it helps prevent malware, harmful intrusions, and viruses of all kinds. This often protects all of your devices, rather than just your computer. Wireless routers often come with built-in firewalls. You should check that this firewall is turned on if possible.
However, even if your router does have a firewall, you should think about getting another for your internet in general. This is going to help provide peace of mind that all of your household members are protected. There are plenty of firewall options out there, so make sure you do your research to find one that is notable for being the best.
Keep your router’s software up to date
It’s often the case that a router’s firmware is out of date. This, like any other software, is a flaw that can be a major vulnerability for those who are unaware that the software isn’t the best it can or should be.
While some are automatically updated, it’s something to be aware of in case the software provider doesn’t update it regularly. Check the devices are connected to your home network and ensure you’ve got the latest security patches downloaded.
This will help decrease the likelihood of hackers being able to access your WI-FI network. You can always contact the router provider if you need help updating the software.
Enable network encryption
Finally, it’s a good idea to encrypt your network if possible. This is often turned on by default but it’s worth checking if this encryption is in place. Not all wireless routers come with encryption so it’s good to double-check the settings.
Turn it on immediately once your broadband provider has installed the router. If it hasn’t been done, then it might be that your home network is comprisable and that’s never a good thing.
These tips are a great way to help ensure your internet security at home is the strongest it can be. Make sure you implement these tips and always keep on top of the methods that cybercriminals use when it comes to their cyber attacks.
These individuals or organizations are constantly looking for ways to make another victim, so it’s a good idea to stay on top of it all. Your internet security is a vulnerability that you need to be careful of.
