In addition to applications to analyze the security of your Wi-Fi network, you can also take into account a series of tricks you can apply to keep your connection as secure as possible. This way, you will prevent other people from stealing your home's Internet or hindering your connection speed.
If you don't want to use complex programs to shield your home Wi-Fi network, there are a series of simple methods you can implement to make the connection much more secure.
Tricks to improve the security of your Wi-Fi network
There are several ways to protect your Wi-Fi, any of the tricks you apply will increase the shielding of your network.
– Segment the network: It consists of separating the home network into segments (subnets) so that each of them has its own access configuration. This will cause some devices to be unable to communicate with others. The best example of this is connecting your smart home devices to a subnet so that they do not access the information on your cell phone, computer, etc.
– Change the default password and SSID: The router has a factory-programmed password, usually a series of ten numbers. Change this password to a more complex one that is made up of numbers, symbols, and lowercase and uppercase letters.
On the other hand, you must also create another name (SSID) for the signal that the router will emit. This is in order to avoid exposing the type of router you are using, since the default SSID of the device is the router model you have purchased.
– Update encryption: Encryption is responsible for encoding the data on your network so that no one has access to it. Older protocols, such as WEP and WPA, are easy to hack. In fact, the WPA2 format is also beginning to be vulnerable.
So, if your area and router support it, the best thing you can do is use the WPA3 protocol. If there are older devices that cannot connect, select a combination between WPA2 and WPA3.
– Turn off WPS: The WPS feature bypasses password security to connect to the network with the push of a button. Logically, this is very unsafe, so you should completely disable this alternative to avoid any risk.
– Update the router firmware: Like mobile phones and computers, the router also receives updates that improve its security and add more useful functions. You will find the updates in the router's system settings; if it has an app, they will also be available there.
– Enable MAC address: Each device, such as cell phones, tablets and computers, has its own MAC address, which works as an identifier. So, if you activate the connection to the router via MAC, only devices that you previously approve can connect to it. This will allow you to keep track of the computers that use your network, so you will detect any invaders quickly.
– Monitor the network: It consists of monitoring who is connected to your Wi-Fi network, there are many mobile apps that can do this, they will scan the connection you are using and convert the MAC address of the devices into descriptive names so that you can easily recognize them.
