In modern society, consistent, reliable access to the Internet is more a necessity than a luxury, used for everything from making payments, checking financial accounts, searching for jobs, furthering education, and much more. However, with the Internet’s increased usage comes an unfortunate side effect—an increase in Internet hackers. If WiFi connections aren’t appropriately secured, hackers can gather sensitive information, such as private usernames and passwords, putting you at great risk.

That is why it’s incredibly important to take the proper precautions when setting up your home WiFi.

1. Choose a Secure Password and Update It Frequently

Password protection can be utilized in two places regarding your router, with one password for your home WiFi and another for your router settings. If either is unsecured, you should enable password protection immediately. If they have been secured with default passwords, these should be replaced with new passwords as soon as possible, as default passwords are generally very weak and easy to breach.

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Passwords should also be updated frequently. If hackers have managed to guess a previous password and gain access to your connection, updating the password will successfully kick them out again.

2. Hide Your Network Name

Network names are usually on full display, allowing you to see all the networks available in your area. This makes it easier for hackers to identify your network. Displaying your network name is not required. For added security, opt to hide your network name. People wishing to connect to your network will have to know the name in advance and type it in before they can even begin attempting to access your WiFi.

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3. Require MAC Address Authentication

As an added level of security, you can require MAC address authentication. MAC addresses are a way of identifying specific devices. This means that you would have to pre-approve a device before it can connect to your Wi-Fi, protecting you from the devices of strangers.

4. Set-Up a Secondary Guest Network

Your guests do not need to access your internal network. By providing them with a secondary guest network, you create a clear division between the Internet connection that is meant to be accessible to others and that which is connected to your personal information and devices. This allows you to incorporate many of the above steps on your primary network without inconveniencing your guests.

5. Update Your Router’s Firmware Regularly

Behind the scenes, your router does several things to ensure your home WiFi remains safe. However, for this to be successful, you must keep the firmware up to date. The older the version of firmware your router is running, the more likely it is that a hacker has discovered some vulnerability or bug that allows them to gain access to your connection. Avoid these sorts of issues by simply installing regular updates.

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Of course, these are just some basic precautions you can put into place from the comfort of your home. At Amplex Internet, our team of experts has extensive experience regarding the most effective methods of Internet security. Not only can we help you implement all of the above, but we can also assist with additional protection and answer any questions you might have about the process.

To learn more about our home and business technology solutions, call (419) 837-5015 or contact us online today.