These days, Wi-Fi is everywhere and everyone wants a piece. Hackers of all skill levels are just dying to gain access to weak Wi-Fi systems with easy-to-guess passwords. That’s why it’s crucial that you protect your WiFi system using proven tips from security experts. Take a look at the following pro tips to help protect and secure your WiFi system from hackers all over the world.
Create a Strong Password
Creating a strong password is one of the easiest things you can do to protect and secure your WiFi system. That means nothing that’s easy to guess like your address, your phone number, your Social Security number, or any variations of your first and last name. The best WiFi passwords are random and longer (more than 16 characters), making them harder to crack, giving you increased security. Sure, it’ll be a pain the first time you add your devices to the network, but it’s a great way to ensure your WiFi system is protected.
Choose an Inconspicuous Network Name (SSID)
Even though it doesn’t seem like it has anything to do with security, a network name that’s too common can make it easier for people to hack into your WiFi network. According to Network World, it’s because the encryption algorithm incorporates the SSID and the password cracking dictionaries that hackers use are preloaded with default and common SSIDs. Avoid using easily identifiable SSID network names like the name of your business, your address, or your suite number.
Check for Rogue WiFi Access Points
Rogue WiFi access points are a big security risk and typically, they’re brought in by employees that might not be able to get a good signal or possibly by hackers that might have secretly connected to one of your Ethernet points. These kinds of rogue access points can be configured to allow anyone to connect to your WiFi system without using a password, which can wreak havoc in your home or business, so make sure that you check for such things regularly.
Enable MAC Authentication
If you own a MAC, you can limit who has access to your WiFi system by restricting access to anyone who isn’t an authorized user. You can set up your WiFi so that only certain users (or set of addresses determined by you, the administrator) can access the WiFi system. This can help prevent anyone who isn’t authorized to use your network from gaining access and compromising your personal data.
Turn on WPA2 Encryption
On your wireless router, make sure that WPA2 encryption is turned on. According to Lifewire, if you’ve had your WiFi set up for a few years already, you might be using the outdated WEP encryption, which is easy to hack for the most inexperienced hackers. WPA2 is much more hacker-resistant, so check your router and make sure you’re up to date.
Use a VPN
A VPN, or virtual private network, can help keep you safe and secure online and keep all of your private information safe from thieves. VPNs encrypt your data and make it near impossible for hackers to penetrate your network and gain access to your personal data since its consistently running in the background to keep them out.
The Gist
If you’re worried about how to find a WiFi password that’s strong enough to keep hackers at bay, following the above tips can help you avoid malicious attackers from gaining access to your private information. That’s why having the right password and updating it accordingly is beneficial and a more secure way to protect your information, in conjunction with using the above practices. Take the time to put these security measures in place and you’ll be glad you did in the long run.
