You probably have a Wi-Fi router at your home. It provides home members with internet connectivity. However, when people drop in, they ask for Wi-Fi credentials to view important mail or scroll through the feed. When you provide the credentials to connect, they can access the internet within the periphery. They do not need to ask you multiple times.
Unlike a physical network, Wi-Fi connectivity has a good range. Thus, it becomes difficult to track the actual number of Wi-Fi users. Implement some changes to protect it from potential hackers.
You can strengthen security by limiting access to the Wi-Fi network. Analyse who you want to use the facility. Secondly, check the ways to reduce the range of the signal footprint. It will prevent the neighbours from accessing the Wi-Fi even if it is within the range. Eventually, it will protect your sensitive data and information.
The blog lists the tricks to restrict Wi-Fi access for hackers. However, let's first know how Wi-Fi works.
How does Wi-Fi operate?
Wi-Fi is a modern time technology that utilises wireless network connections. It allows devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets to share their network with other networking devices. It is also possible with a wireless router. Therefore, when you access Wi-Fi, you connect to a wireless router that allows you to access the internet on different devices.
Wi-Fi uses radioactive waves to transport the information between your device and a router. The higher the frequency of the network, the faster the information transfers. When you use the Wi-Fi network on your device, the information you provide converts into a binary code. The frequency travels through the radio station and wifi- and receives the information through an internet cable.
Therefore, contact the best technical experts to figure out the vulnerable access points and control them better. Do not wait until the next day if you believe that your Wi-Fi has been hacked or is vulnerable.
If you lack the financial means to finance the expert costs, check available options. You may seek affordable options despite bad credit. For example, get 100% guaranteed loans with bad credit scores. It will help you finance and protect your wifi network from leaking sensitive information. Later, you can repay the dues within the specified time.
5 strategies to protect your wifi from hackers/intruders
Wi-Fi security should be an important part of your cybersecurity health. Right protocols protect crucial information and help ensure Privacy protection, protect against cyberattacks, ensure data confidentiality, and prevent serious liability concerns.
For example, if someone intercepts your Wi-Fi connection, like engaging in cybercrime, you could be held responsible. Here are some strategies that may help you protect your Wi-Fi from hackers:
1) Change username and password often
Passwords play an important role in restricting the uninvited access. You must, thus, change the username and password. However, there is no rule of thumb to check the router. You can access your router's configuration page via a web browser connected to the network. However, you can also change the router configuration page via a web browser connected to your network. Here is how you can do so:
- Enter a typical router address
- Enter your router’s username and password
- Open the wireless section provided
- Create a new password using alphabets, numbers and special characters. A strong password contains 8 letters.
- Save the changes and re-login with a new password.
2) Activate Wireless Network Encryption
Encryption is a standard security method that restricts third-party access. It mixes the information regarding data and message content. Hackers find it difficult to decipher. WPA2 is the most secure way to encrypt your home Wi-Fi network. However, devices older than 10 years may not be synchronised with the WPA2.
Thus, upgrade your existing devices to comply with the latest Wi-Fi security standards. You can check whether your Wi-Fi uses WPA2, and check network settings within this check wireless properties. It enables you to select the best encryption method.
3) Hide the network from others
Your Wi-Fi network does not have to broadcast its SSID. It means blocking the router from sending out its identity. When you do so, the Wi-Fi connectivity remains limited to your home. Those having access will connect while passers-by can't. It would not be visible to them as an available network. It will only reveal to them as a hidden network. Thus, without knowing the Wi-Fi name or credentials, he can't connect.
It may help if you want to prevent or restrict the access of your new Wi-Fi connection. Still, you can turn on SSID temporarily for your home device to familiarise yourself with the setup. After setting up the password on devices, you can hide it permanently. It prevents the visitors from getting the easy access. Moreover, no unknown would dare to ask for a Wi-Fi password.
4) Use a VPN or Virtual Private Network
Virtual private networks are important for improving internet privacy. It thus provides security while browsing something online. It prevents the router from compromise. If your family members use Wi-Fi or hotspots in public places, a VPN protects your device from the impending cyber-attack. Individuals using the same Wi-Fi network are prime targets for hackers. It eases their deed of stealing the data.
Moreover, it allows them to steal data from 200000 people at once! Thus, using a VPN prevents hackers from sneaking into your device. Instead, it encrypts traffic from your device to the remote server. The intermediaries could not fool you into entering a fake connection. Eventually, they cannot infiltrate your router and tap data. Additionally, it protects your data from leakage despite encryption failure.
5) Align your signal footprint well
As mentioned in the introduction, signal footprint is one of the most important aspects of Wi-Fi security. Most people keep their Wi-Fi router in the living room. However, living rooms are often open to a street. It thus sends signals to the outside world. Thus, change the position of the signal. Try to put the Wi-Fi router on the far wall of the living room.
For example, you can install it behind a TV. Walls have greater resistance to radioactive waves than windows. However, if you have windows just beside the wall, you still give half the Wi-Fi access to neighbours.
Decide the rooms and the terrace spaces you want the Wi-Fi to reach. Accordingly, decide the right Wi-Fi router placement. For example, if your house is larger than the router's signal footprint, place it at the house's centre. It will thus provide maximum coverage to the wife users within the home, on the terrace or staircase.
Alternatively, reduce the signal strength beyond the house boundary if your house is smaller than the signal footprint. You could use a 5GHz router instead of a 3 GHz one. It limits the signal strength to a specific range. It thus cannot penetrate beyond the walls.
Additionally, you can also limit the signals by wrapping an aluminium foil around the antenna and putting the router in a cardboard box. Paint the Wi-Fi wall with anti-Wi-Fi paint. It restricts the signals from stepping outside.
Bottom line
If you often witness news of ransomware, hacking and identity theft, protect your Wi-Fi. You don’t have to be a technical expert to do so. Instead, the above simple points to update the Wi-Fi security parameters may help you with that. However, remain conscious regarding fresh networks in your lane. Analyse the impact it may have on your Wi-Fi security. Change the passwords and usernames frequently to restrict access.
