It’s not a question of if your wireless network security will come under attack, it’s a question of when. I’ll show you some tips on how to strengthen its security before someone takes advantage of your open network to steal data.
Introduction
If you have a wireless network at home, it’s important to take steps to secure it. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Change the default password for your router. This is the first step in securing your wireless network. The default password is usually easy to guess, so make sure to change it to something more difficult.
- Use encryption. Encryption is a vital part of securing your wireless network. Make sure to enable WPA2 encryption on your router.
- Use a firewall. A firewall can help protect your network from attacks by keeping unwanted traffic out.
- Keep your software up to date. Regularly update the firmware on your router and keep your operating system and antivirus software up to date as well.
- Be aware of physical security risks. If you have a wireless network, be aware of physical security risks like someone gaining access to your network through an unlocked window or door.
Types of Wireless Networks
There are three primary types of wireless networks:
- Infrastructure networks are typically found in business settings and connect devices to a central router or switch using Wi-Fi technology.
- Ad hoc networks are created on an as-needed basis and usually do not have a central access point. Instead, each device in the network acts as its own access point.
- Mesh networks are similar to infrastructure networks, but instead of connecting devices to a central router or switch, each device is connected to other devices in the network, creating a mesh topology.
Security Facts
Most people are unaware of the dangers that come with having an unsecure wireless network. Here are some facts about wireless security:
-Almost 50% of American households have a Wi-Fi router, and more than 20% have an unsecure connection.
-Unsecure Wi-Fi connections are susceptible to attacks from outside your home.
-All it takes is for someone to be within range of your unsecure connection to access it.
-Once they are connected, they can see everything you are doing online, including any passwords you type in.
-There are ways to secure your connection, but many people don’t bother.
-You can encrypt your connection, which will make it much harder for someone to hack into it.
-You should also change the default password on your router, and make sure to keep it updated.
Common Wireless Attacks
There are a number of common attacks that can be used to target wireless networks. One of the most common is known as a denial of service (DoS) attack, which is where an attacker attempts to prevent legitimate users from accessing a network or service. This can be done by flooding the target with requests until it is overwhelmed and unable to respond, or by jamming the signal so that communication is impossible.
Another common type of attack is known as man-in-the-middle (MitM). This is where an attacker intercepts communication between two parties and impersonates one of them in order to gain access to sensitive data. This can be done by eavesdropping on Wi-Fi traffic and then injecting malicious code into the data stream, or by using spoofing techniques to make it appear as though they are the legitimate user.
Finally, there are also attacks that aim to exploit vulnerabilities in wireless devices or networks in order to gain unauthorised access. These can include brute force attacks which try every possible combination of characters until they find the right one, or exploits which take advantage of known weaknesses in order to gain access without needing a password at all.
Protecting your Network
As more and more devices connect to the internet, it’s important to make sure your home wireless network is secure. Here are a few tips to help you protect your network:
- Use a strong password – A strong password is one that is at least eight characters long and includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. That is the reason it support and network security. Avoid using easily guessed words like “password” or personal information like your birthdate.
- Keep your software up to date – Regularly updating the software on your router and other devices can help patch security vulnerabilities.
- Use encryption – Encryption scrambles the data being sent over your network so that it can only be decrypted by authorized devices. Many routers come with encryption turned off by default, so be sure to turn it on in the settings menu.
- Disable remote access – If your router has remote access features enabled, anyone with the login credentials could potentially gain access to your network from anywhere in the world. Unless you need this feature for a specific purpose, it’s best to disable it.
- Change the default SSID – The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the name of your wireless network. Many routers use the manufacturer’s name as the default SSID, which makes it easy for someone to guess what type of router you have. Choose a unique name for your SSID that isn’t easily guessed.
