Easy Steps to Securing your Home Connection

When you have a home network, you need to look out for a number of different factors. These include safety, efficiency, speed, and signal strength. Safety, however, is the top concern, and can really impact your overall network experience. After all, if your privacy is breached through your home network, then you need to reevaluate your connection. The good news is that there are numerous methods you can use to secure your home network and protect it from viruses, malware, and other threats.

So, you can avail the most suitable plans possible from the internet service providers around you. Then, you can opt for the security measures they provide, and also take your own precautionary steps. It is important to implement these methods when you use your home network. Why? So that your privacy, data, and personal welfare are not put at risk. Here are a few of the basic measures you must take to ensure your home network security.

Change the Default Name of Your Network

When you receive a new internet connection, it will usually have a default name which the provider uses as a placeholder. Many people do not change the network’s name, meaning that it is easier to detect and get into. As soon as you set up your connection, you should get into the settings, and change the name. Don’t make it too obvious, as that will make it detectable as well. Inside jokes and nicknames are good ideas for network names.

Set Strong Passwords

You should set strong passwords for your network router as well as your accounts when you subscribe to a home network from sources like Cox internet deals. These passwords should be long and contain a mixture of alphabets, special characters, and numbers. In addition, they should not contain any personal details like your name or children’s birth years. Basically, you need to create passwords that are hard to guess. In addition, you should change these on a regular basis, and not share them indiscriminately. If you need to write them down somewhere to remember better, then make sure you keep the written copies somewhere only you can access them.

Update Your Wi-Fi Encryption

Your Wi-Fi router will have a number of different encryption settings. These days, most routers come equipped and enabled with WPA 2 or WPA 3 protection systems. The other two versions, WEP and WPA, are older and outdated. So, if your router is still running on either of these, you should update it to the newer versions, or get a new router that enables you to do so. Otherwise, your network will be vulnerable to brute force attacks and compromise your network security.

Position Your Router Well

Your router’s position not only helps you distribute signals around your house but also helps keep it secure from external attacks. Place it in the center of your home, and make sure it is away from any windows and doors. This will mask it from many external hackers and intruders by making it harder to detect. In addition, you’ll be able to get better signal strength and internet speed throughout your house if you place your router in a central position. You should know that routers radiate signals vertically as well as horizontally, so you should also consider what level to place them on.

Use a Firewall

A firewall is one of the most basic and essential measures you must take when you have your home network. This will basically prevent intruders and hackers from entering your network while allowing devices on your network to connect to the internet. Your routers will usually come with a pre-installed and enabled firewall, but it is always best to double-check and confirm. In case there is no firewall with your router, you can easily find a good option online and install it on your system. A decent firewall will prevent many different kinds of router attacks and will serve as a strong line of defense for your home internet network.

Use a VPN

If you want to up the ante on your security measures, try out a VPN. A VPN will completely mask your IP address, and make it hard for hackers to find your network. This is especially useful if you’re handling sensitive information, and want to protect your network from a wide variety of wily attacks.

There are numerous VPN services available, and you should do your research on which ones are reliable and suit your needs the most. Do not go for pirated or cracked versions, as they will open up your network to even more danger, and put it at risk of more attacks and viruses.

Disable Remote Access on Your Router

Most routers these days come with remote access capabilities, especially when you opt for providers like Optimum internet. However, unless you absolutely need to control your router when you’re not at home, then you should keep this access switched off. This will greatly reduce the risk of external threats and detection. However, if it is constantly on, hackers may be able to detect and access it easily. Often, this sort of access is automatically disabled on your router. However, if it is enabled, make sure you switch it off until you need to use it from admin-level access into your router.

Switch Your Network Off When Not in Use

If your network is not in use during the day when you’re at work and your kids are at school, you should switch it off. This will help prevent all sorts of attacks and hacks from taking place. In addition, this will also help conserve your data consumption, and prevent others from using the network in your absence. Furthermore, you can also save your router from power surges if you keep it switched off when you’re not at home. You can simply switch it back on when you get home, and enjoy all the functionality you want.