Home Network Security
In this digital era, every human spends half of their day on wired or wireless devices while enjoying the benefits of technology. Nowadays, smart devices and IOT becomes the talk of the table because smartphones, computers, tablets, and Wi-Fi become part of our personal and social life. Individuals are enjoying the science fiction life because technology has made their lives easier than ever before.
But when we use technology to operate our networks and systems, hackers and scammers play a great part. They keep a constant eye to search for where they can hack the confidential information of the company or organization. In the past, we have seen many incidents where big companies and organizations lost their reputation because hackers took advantage and grabbed all the confidential data of big companies.
They try to add bugs and viruses in the company’s software; sometimes, they approach the confidential data and reports and copy the IP addresses of networks running in homes and offices to use this data for illegal and unethical purposes.
The user needs to maintain high security for the networks running in the house, like the devices and Wi-Fi networks, so that hackers can not hack their networks and steal information. When a user is talking about the networks running in the home, that means we are discussing a group of devices like computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc., that are connected to the internet.
Home networks are divided into two main types these are.
- Wired Networks: these are used to connect computers, printers, etc.
- Wireless Networks: these are used to connect smartphones, tablets, ear-pods, etc.
A Secured Home Network
A secure home network is necessary because hackers can use the data and information to commit crimes like identity theft, introducing viruses, and breaching confidential and personal information or credentials.
In this era, people used to connect every single home device with Wi-Fi, like computers, smartphones, and even baby monitors, door locks, refrigerators, etc. Hence, a secure home network is very crucial. And when the homeowner is aware that all the advanced devices of the home are connected to a single host internet, they need to make their Wi-Fi router security up to the level.
- Once someone or a professional hacker gets access to your Wi-Fi, it becomes easy for them to get all the information, and they can even listen to the internet traffic on your local network.
- Cyber security has become a big threat, so the owner must maintain the privacy and security of their internet network to prevent any cyber-attacks.
Advantages Of Home Security Networks
Single Hosting
A home security network is best because there is a single host of all the networks running in the house, and the owner gets a notification if someone tries to enter the hub or a hacker needs to provide the credentials; otherwise, the owner gets notified of an unethical act.
The owner can disconnect any device if he finds any malware act from the device. The owner can use the family profile feature to prevent cyber attacks or the opening of any malicious websites.
Secure Network
There are smart devices available in houses to make life more convenient,t but these devices are not secure or protected. So, users need to access the powerful home security solution to maintain the privacy and security of the networks running in the house. By using professional security networks for your internet in the house, the user can secure all their data without affecting the speed of the devices.
Family Safety Features
Users need to check the features before purchasing the device with the features of parental control and family safety. When you get a device that has extra features of safety, then you can monitor the browsing history and make browsing of your family safer than before.
Owners have the command to block malicious websites and block harmful content for their family’s safety. The owner can even check the traffic speed and stop the search if any cyber threat is reported.
Data Protection
Protecting personal and even financial data from phishing attacks is the most important function of any home security software. The security networks will improve your privacy by protecting your data from hackers and scammers.
Security Checks
Security utility suits are equipped enough to block dangerous websites and even notify the owner if any unethical act happens or if someone enters the wrong credentials to log in to the network to steal confidential information from the house.
Steps To Setup A Secure Home Network
Following are some of the common steps that user need to implement to maintain the privacy and security of their home networks.
1. Change The Name Of Default Network:
If you are afraid of any hacking attack, you need to change the name of your network. By default, the network is named SSID. User can go to the Wi-Fi network list to search for the nearby networks with their names. There is an option in the settings of Wi-Fi to change the name of the router, and you must have to put 32 characters. Some networks have their name in the SSID column, and these router names may be the name of a company and random numbers. It is recommended to change the name right after installing the Wi-Fi device because.
- If the hacker is aware of which company’s router you are using, then they will easily hack the device.
- Users need to add non-generic words for the router because it will be difficult for the hacker to hack instead of the generic name.
2. Put a Strong Password On Wi-Fi Device:
There are different types of routers; wireless routers come with a default password already set by the manufacturing company. These passwords are easy to hack if the hacker knows the router’s company.
So it is recommended to change the password right after purchasing because it will not notify the user at the start if someone hacks the password and hackers will continuously steal all your data and confidential information.
It is recommended to add the IP address mentioned at the back of the router as the main address. Users need to add 12 characters, including upper and lower-class alphabets and digits, to make the password strong. Symbols make passwords stronger so that no hacker can reach your data. The owner needs to change the passwords after regular intervals to strengthen it.
3. Reinforce Your Wi-Fi Encryption:
End-to-end encryption code is set by default in many routers. And user can turn it off according to the choice. However, it is recommended to turn on the encryption of your router to make it more secure and safe. Generally, four encryption protection systems are used to make the secure transfer of data between a device and the Wi-Fi router.
- Wired equivalent privacy (WEP)
- Wi-Fi protected access (WPA)
- Wi-Fi protected access 2 (WPA 2)
- Wi-Fi protected access 3 (WPA 3)
For the last couple of years, WPA 2 and WPA 3 have been recommended to secure their home networks because they are cheaper, faster, and more reliable. The other 2 are the Old, so they are at higher risk of getting hacked.
4. Adopt VPN for Home Network Security:
VPNs are a great means to secure the network from hackers. VPN will do end-to-end coding of your data so that no one can check the internet traffic you have running. Even the VPN will not allow others to check your IP address as well. The security provided by the VPN is reliable enough that if the encryption of the router gets hacked, then still your data is protected by the VPN. Even the owners who are afraid of hacking their IP address can get help from the VPN because it will change the original home address of the router and apply any fake address through which the hacker can not reach the original IP address of the router.
5. Use Firewall For The Security Of Your Device:
A firewall is a security software that will protect your device from hacking or phishing attacks and ensure all your data is safe and secure. Many organizations adopt Firewalls to secure their devices, so it is quite easy for a Firewall to work at home with limited devices and a limited set of data.
Mostly, routers come with, by default, a Firewall utility, so these routers cannot get hacked, but if not, then the user needs to install it to make the router secure. This Firewall is a barrier to blocking access with wrong details or malicious data to protect the router.
6. Make Separate Setup Of IoT Devices:
Internet of Things (IoT) devices are not computers, laptops, and tablets. They are smart devices like baby monitors, small refrigerators, door locks, wearable fitness outfits, watches, etc.
- It is noted that if a large number of IoT devices are connected to the same router, there are high chances of entry of hackers.
- IoT devices are more vulnerable to hackers compared to previous records.
For this, it is recommended to use a separate Wi-Fi router specifically for IoT devices. So, this router will be named VLAN.
By using VLAN, the risk of hacking will be reduced, and your sensitive data will be safe and secure. Initially, IoT devices are vulnerable, with many entry points for hackers, but VLAN will cover all this and make it safe and secure for users. But users must be efficient enough not to mess up between two different Wi-Fi connections.
7. Strain Your Mac Address:
All the devices have built-in unique MAC addresses, which will allow or act as a barrier to restrict some devices from connecting to the router. Suppose the user activates the MAC address filtering. In that case, it will restrict some phishing attackers from connecting with the router even if they have accurate credentials.
Some cases reported that the router of illegal companies has fake MAC addresses, which will give a huge space for hackers to hack the data. However, a hacker must have a valid MAC address to breach the information, so it is recommended to save your MAC address where no one can access it.
8. Immobilize Remote Access To Router:
Users must muster the router’s admin panel to check the default remote access options. Please do not leave your panel open because it is potential for the hackers to attack.
It is recommended to immobilize the remote accessing options for routers so that even if the hacker enters your network, they can not compose or construct a router. So, go to the panel to turn off the remote management option of the router.
Conclusion:
User needs to learn about the ways through which they can secure their router, and they need to check the features before installing any router. A router must have WPA 2 or WPA 3 encryption to make it more safe, fast, and cheaper.
If the router’s security is not good, hackers can easily exploit all the confidential information, and from the house, they can hack all the personal and financial details. There are many ways mentioned above through which users can increase the router’s security so that all the devices connected with single hub Wi-Fi operate in a safe and secure form.
There are family safety features in the routers available through which the owner can control the internet traffic and have the option of parental control through which they can keep an eye on their kids and block dangerous websites for the safety of their family. Routers with strong IP addresses and safety plans can automatically block the unethical act and prevent the hacker from breaching personal life and details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Are The Basic Home Security Networks?
Answer: Basically, home security networks act like a hub on which different smart devices connect to the internet, like Wi-Fi routers, smartphones, and baby monitors, that are connected to the internet in the home. So, the owner needs to ensure the Router of Wi-Fi has strong security and safety features.
2. Why do Home networks slow down after some time?
If you find your internet is slow, then try to remove the virus by downloading antivirus programs and also check the router connection to ensure that all the equipment is working properly. Stop all the background running programs to increase the speed of your home network.