In order to ensure you are safeguarding your computer and Internet activity from unwanted guests, it is necessary to use the following tips to lock down your insecure wireless router sooner rather than later.
Set Your Approved Devices List
An easy way to boost security of your wireless router is to establish (and maintain) a list of devices that are allowed to access your network. Your mobile phone, tablet, and laptop have unique MAC addresses that can be used to allow access, even when the password is not known. Devices that are not on the approved list will not be able to gain access to your network, even if they have uncovered the password. This helps secure your network from unwanted guests.
Encrypt your Password
Even novice Internet users know that password encryption is a smart move if you want to keep your connection safe and secure. In order to encrypt the password connected to your wireless router, you need to set the wireless security to WPA2 under the settings prompt. This allows you to establish a stronger password that utilizes a random combination of letters, characters and numbers that is far more difficult for intruders to dismantle.
Disable Guest Networks
It is common for wireless routers to come with an additional wireless network intact, known as a guest network. This additional network allows users the ability to share an Internet connection with other users without needing to provide the password for the main network or access to shared files on your personal connection. Although this may be of benefit to a business who offers wireless Internet to its customers, it is not necessarily a perk for home users. In an effort to keep your wireless router secure, it is beneficial to disable the guest network when you install your router.
Turn off Broadcasting
For the majority of wireless routers available on the market today, users have the ability to turn off broadcasting to unauthorized users. For example, when connecting a device to the Internet through your wireless router, you typically see a number of SSIDs, names, or wireless connections listed under the available networks. Although it is helpful for you to know the name of your own personal connection, it is beneficial to turn off broadcasting to surrounding Internet users so that they are not able to view your connection in that listing. Under your router settings, simply deselect “Enable SSID Broadcast” to turn it off.
Conclusion
Although this list is not exhaustive, it does provide a starting point to ensuring your wireless router is safe and secure. To keep hackers and other intruders at bay, make sure to disable broadcasting, turn off access to your guest network if it is not necessary, establish a list of approved devices and keep it current, and consider encrypting your password. Photo Credit: Life-Of-Pix, Cloned Milkmen
