As i mentioned in my previous post securing your router is really crucial, you shouldn’t ignore it. Already there have been lots of cases of hacking, where the intruders hacked into the wifi perofrmed illegal activities and the innocent guy had to go through hardship. You just need to perform a few basic tweaks, and that should be sufficient.

Basics: Set a hard password:

Change the default password, leaving the router set to a default password would be the biggest mistake, you need to set a tough password, alphanumeric, you can check your password’s strength at HowSecureIsMyPassword, you can get randomly generated password from Secure Password Generator and Random Password Generator. Before setting the password, note it down somewhere, as you and the other members who are on the same wifi network will need it. Suggestion, change the password once every week or atleast once every two weeks.

Change the SSID Name:

The router’s SSID Name is either set to default or set to the brand name of the router. ex: ‘netgear’, change the default one and assign a name to it. This won’t help to improve the security, but you and the other memebers will be sure of connecting to the correct network. Don’t set the common names. Also Don’t set your name, any contact or personal info or address as the SSID name.

Enable Encryption:

There are mutiple encryption methods available in your router’s wireless settings. WEP is the basic one, but its the least secure, so avoid using it. WPA2  (Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2) is the most secure encryption method. In your router’s configuration page, go to wireless security settings, select WPA2 security method, Enter a passphrase to access the network, again, set a tough alphanumeric passphrase, something that would be difficult to guess.

Enable MAC address filtering:

Every device, mobiles, computers and networking equipments have a unique MAC address. Make a list of all the desktops, laptops and network devices that should be allowed to connect to your wireless network, get their MAC addresses and add them to MAC address filtering in your router’s administrative settings.

Decrease the Signal range:

If you are working from a small space, workshop, garage or room, you can consider decreasing the signal range by changing the router’s mode to 802.11g or using a different wireless channel.

Make sure the firware’s updated:

You’ll have to check your router manufacturer’s website occassionally to make sure your router is running the latest updated firmware. You can find the existing firmware version in your router’s dashboard.

Keep an eye on your network:

In your router’s administration page, look for DHCP client’s table, then go to Status, here you’ll see the list of all devices connected to your network, if you find any unknown connection, block it, change the router’s password immediately.

Finally:

If you and the other members are on a leave, or on weekends, when no one’s coming to work, its better to switch off the router, this would save the electricity and also keep away the hackers and intruders.

If you got some more good security tips, do share it in comments.

photo source: NickZse

Related articles

• Secure a Home Wireless Network with these Helpful Tips (frontlinesentinel.com)
• Broken WEP WiFi Encryption Still Operational in Large Numbers (infosecurity-magazine.com)
• How to Reset Your Router Password (techie-buzz.com)
• T-Mobile’s LTE aspirations get a boost with Verizon swap (geekwire.com)