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We are in the 21st century and the internet has become a necessity. All our devices require a working internet connection. Even in the pandemic when everyone is working from home, the internet increases our productivity. It does not differentiate among age groups. It is for everyone.

However, internet security is very crucial these days. It is easier to fall prey to nefarious activities when your connection is not safeguarded. Hackers have malicious intent and always look out for easy targets. Take the example of your home network. All the members of your family may use the internet through their smartphones, PCs, tablets, and laptops. On top, you may have IoT products that link to the Wi-Fi. Just a small network vulnerability can give hackers a chance to access all the things in your house. You could possibly lose your financial information, bank accounts, and credit card details. Most importantly, these hackers may pose a serious threat to the safety of your children and their digital avatars.

Internet security is a serious concern and thankfully, many internet providers are offering a solution. For example, if you subscribe to Cox cable TV and internet bundles, you get a free security suite. On the other hand, if your internet provider doesnt give a free security suite, then there are multiple things you can do to secure your home network. Here are the ways to secure your internet connection from malicious attacks:

Change the Name of your Wi-Fi

It is the simplest thing you can do to make your home network a bit safe. Change the SSID. It stands for Service Set Identifier and shows the name of your network. Many router companies give their products a default SSID. In the majority of cases, it is the name of the company or an excessively used term, like admin. When a computer having a wireless connection searches for a wireless network nearby, it shows all the networks available in a specific range publicly broadcasting their SSIDs. As a result, hackers have a better chance of accessing your network. Therefore, an ideal approach to prevent this from happening is by changing the networks SSID. Keeping a neutral network name will not disclose any personal information and will ultimately throw the hackers off your trail.

Set a Unique Password

People make a common mistake in choosing simple passwords. They always go for the ones that are easier to remember. However, common catchphrases, your birth dates, or your phone numbers can be traced. Therefore, you have to set a unique password for your home Wi-Fi network. Ideally, it should be a combination of upper case and lower case letters. Just keep the first-word capital, followed by lower case letters, and end on a number. Passwords like these are harder to crack.

Get a VPN

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A VPN is a legal means to hide your identity and save yourself from the attacks of hackers and spammers. There is a lot that it can offer. First, it replaces your IP address with the IP address of a remote server. Second, VPN encrypts your data. Even when your data gets leaked, no one will be able to access it. VPN acts as an extra security barrier, protecting your financial transactions and other confidential communication online.

Turn on Network Encryption

We all use WhatsApp. While sending texts, pictures, videos, and voice notes to our loved ones, the app keeps on telling us that all data is end-to-end encrypted. What does this mean? Encryption of data means that you code it one way or the other so that no one can access it. WhatsApp has end-to-end encryption, referring to the fact that the data you send or receive is safe.

All routers by-default have this option. You can turn it on by opening the router settings on your computer or smartphone. If you have the latest technology router, you might have an option to do it with the help of a smartphone application.

Invest in a Good Firewall

Network intrusions are common. Almost all online businesses spend a great fortune on ensuring their online security. They invest in firewalls, antivirus software, and VPN. Having a firewall installed on your computer prevents any harmful intrusion. There are tons of options in the market. Some of them are free while others might cost you a one-time or monthly fee. Therefore, make sure you have a good firewall on your system.

Final Verdict

By following these simple steps, you can secure your home network. Keep a strong password for your Wi-Fi and dont enter your personal information, such as social security number, drivers license, or even date of birth online if you think that the source isnt credible.

Photo: Shutterstock

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5 Ways to Secure Your Home Network - The Good Men Project