The internet is a pretty interesting entity. While it adds significant convenience to our lives, it poses some security threats at the same time. Well, everything has a positive and a negative side. That said, to keep the negative aspects of the internet (security issues) at bay and utilize only the best ones, I am here to save the day.
Since I am a business owner who works from home, about six months ago, my Spectrum home Wi-Fi was hacked due to a weak password. However, thanks to the prompt response from Spectrum customer service, I was able to fix this security flaw before it got too late.
While it was a big hassle, it prompted me to go on a hunt to find the best ways to secure my home WiFi, and in case I am using a public WiFi, safeguard the connected devices from potential risks.
Well, did I find them? Yep, I did. And here, I’ll share some of the best ones.
Create a Guest Profile on Your Router
This is one of the best things you can implement to keep your home Wi-Fi safe, and a lot of people are unaware of this. The guest network is like a guest room for your Wi-Fi. Users will have access to your home, but to a very specific area.
In this guest network/profile, people who are living in your home for a limited time will have access to the internet, but not your home network. That way, your home network will be safe.
I am not saying that your guests are a threat, but you’d never know when they will unintentionally install a file that contains malware tailored to hack your network. In case something like that happens, your main home Wi-Fi will be safe because that is a separate network.
So, yeah, do make a guest network to protect your home network.
Remove Unknown Devices
Let me start with a story. A neighbor’s Wi-Fi was attacked by hackers even though they had taken a lot of steps to protect it. The only loophole hackers found was that they shared their Wi-Fi password with another neighbor. This was the loophole, and hackers attacked the network via the connected device of that neighbor.
So, the point is, there are multiple devices connected to your Wi-Fi, which you might not even know about. So, it is better to get rid of them.
Going to a neighbor’s home and asking them to forget the network is a big hassle, so instead of doing that, just change your Wi-Fi password. This will disconnect all the devices, and you have to reconnect them. That is the only hassle, but it can help in the long-term security of your network.
Update the Firmware of Your Router
If your router is still under the terms of the manufacturer, there is a high chance that you will be able to get a firmware update on the device. If you have a pretty old one, you may receive limited or no updates.
So, I advise getting a recent one. If you have a relatively new router, how do you check whether it has the latest firmware?
Simply log in to the portal of your router, and then check for the updates under the Settings tab. If there is one, hit Update, and once it is installed, you will have the latest security patch and likely better signals on your router.
So, yeah, do update your router’s firmware from time to time.
Use a Virtual Private Network
This is another great hack that not only safeguards your home Wi-Fi, but also your devices when you are connected to a public Wi-Fi at Starbucks while sippin’ some latte.
What it does is mask the IP address of your home Wi-Fi and layer it with a different IP address. And it is essential. Let me explain.
An IP address is one of the first keys for hackers to hack your network. When it is hidden or encrypted, it makes it pretty difficult for hackers to access sensitive data or find details about your machine. I personally use it, no matter if I am using home Wi-Fi or a public network.
It unlocks geo-restricted content for me and keeps the network safe.
Anyway, it is highly recommended to use a VPN when connected to a public WiFi. And recommended to use it at home.
Having said that, which might just be the best VPN for your laptop, mobile phone, and other devices?
I personally prefer ProtonVPN because of its multiple server locations and high-speed connectivity. On top of that, it is available for almost all devices – Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more.
Now, to sum this topic up, I recommend checking this subreddit where people share their personal experiences on cybersecurity. The advice I found there is priceless, so do check it out.
