Cybersecurity

5 tips for maintaining your WIFI network

Published on April 22, 2023 by Jean Donald VERZILUS

Whether you are at work or at home, you probably rely heavily on Wi-Fi to do many of your ordinary tasks like checking your mail, paying your bills, looking for recipes, and so on. Wi-Fi is also needed to control appliances like thermostats, security cameras, air conditioners, and even lighting systems that are connected to the internet.

Since it has become such a regular part of our lives, many people take Wi-Fi security for granted. With this laxity comes a greater risk of infiltration by hackers and cybercriminals. To maintain the integrity of your Wi-Fi network, you need to take precautionary measures, such as the following:

1. Change the name of your home Wi-Fi
All Wi-Fi networks come with a default SSID when you apply for a connection. You can reduce the chances of a hacker penetrating your network by changing the SSID into something that will not reveal personal data.

2. Choose a unique and strong password
Again, your network provider will give you a default password when you get a new connection. It is very important to change this into something hard for hackers to decipher. You should also make it a habit to change all passwords regularly for added protection.

3. Install a good firewall
Most routers come with a firewall but you need to make sure that it is turned on. If there is no firewall or you are not satisfied with the quality, you should install a reliable one to make sure you are protected whenever you go online.

4. Use a VPN when connecting to your network
A virtual private network or VPN lets you connect securely by using advanced encryption methods. Unauthorized entities will not be able to gain any kind of access to your online activities.

5. Update your router’s software regularly
Just like any other kind of application, router software sometimes requires updating. New security patches might be released that you need to install into your system. Make sure you update right away to keep cybercriminals at bay.