9 tips: How to secure your home WiFi network

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9 tips: How to secure your home WiFi network

Know and do some basics to protect your home network

Published: August 26, 2022 20:33 Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor

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HOME WIFI SECURITY — #1. KNOW YOUR WIFI WPA LEVEL: The original WiFi Protected Access (WPA) standard was released nearly 20 years ago (2003), replacing the previous Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security algorithm; which in turn was replaced by WPA2 in 2004. It took some time to update this, when the Wi-Fi Alliance adopted WPA3 in 2018. To check your WiFi access type on iOS: WiFi tab (upper right) > Open Network Preferences > Advanced > WiFi tab (will reveal WPA type of all WiFi routers you’ve connected to). On Windows: Click WiFi Connection icon in the taskbar> Properties> Scroll down>WiFi details under Properties>Security Type. This way, you will also know the WPA levels of different WiFi routers you've used. Image Credit: Screengrab | Gulf News

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password 123456 — #5. CREATE A STRONG WIFI PASSWORD: It goes without saying. OK, I'm not saying you do it NOW. But do find time to do it. Also, make it a practice to change it regularly — (3 to 6 months) as IT security pros recommend. An easy-to-remember WIFI password (hint: "123456789") makes it predictable and easy for others to figure it out. Most IT professionals recommend changing WIFI password periodically — or when you think your network security may have been compromised. Image Credit: Gulf News

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WLD FTC VIRUS NETWORK-1585134446794 — #7. KEEP YOUR ROUTER | DEVICES UP TO DATE: Whether you’re using Android or iOS, make sure you’re updated with the latest OS or app — they usually pop up when you get online. These pop-ups can seem annoying (which happens when companies are made aware of potential or exposed security vulnerabilities) but the updates serve a good purpose, i.e. minimise or eliminate the risk. For your router, set it to automatically update in the admin settings. Also, do periodic checks to make sure your router is up to date. Doing so helps you get the best protection against known malware and hacking attempts. Image Credit: AP

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wifi router — #8. DISABLE REMOTE ROUTER ACCESS: Anyone not directly connected to your WIFI network can access the router settings via remote router access. There’s no reason to enable remote router access, unless you have an absolute need to access your home router while away, or to check|change the settings of a child's connected device. Make sure you disable remote access under the router's admin settings, as a disabled remote router access may not be the default setting: Open router's web interface > Remote Access > Remote Administration|Remote Management > "Disable”. Image Credit: Shutterstock

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Passwords 00001 — 9. CHECK CONNECTED DEVICES: It's a good practice to check the devices hooked up to your network. It’s even better if you know what they are. Any device that looks suspicious should be kicked out (disconnected), then change your WIFI password (#3, #4 & #5). There’s an admin challenge here as after the password change, you must reconnect all your previously connected devices (perhaps including some iOT devices, like a robot vacuum cleaner). The upside: any unauthorised user|device on your network will be thrown out. Image Credit:

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