Access to the internet has grown in recent years, with most homes and businesses connected to high-speed wireless internet. As a result, people can now surf the web while on the go. At the same time, cybercriminals use different methods and techniques to steal data from internet users and monetize it depending on the data type.
Since business professionals are constantly on the go, working remotely, or traveling, they may be tempted to access their emails through any network, including public Wi-Fi. But as much as you want to leverage technology to stay in touch and work, nefarious individuals exploit it to hack into your devices and steal your information.
Further, a criminal can access any unencrypted information when they hack one computer since all office computers are connected to a single network or the same Wi-Fi network. Similarly, a criminal can breach your Wi-Fi network, hack your communication and steal personal details.
So then, you should secure your data when connected to Wi-Fi. Here are 5 ways to secure your Wi-Fi network and keep your data safe.
5 Ways to Secure Your Information
Whether you’re using a public or private network, you should secure your information because cybercriminals are always snooping over your data. This is especially common when you use free public Wi-Fi. Hackers want to get your financial information, passwords, browsing data, and a record of your online activities.
According to CyberGhost Wi-Fi guide, cybercrime is a thriving illegal business. Hackers target internet users through Wi-Fi connections in their homes and offices. Thankfully, you can use many better security habits to protect your personal information. They include:
1. Choose the Latest Wi-Fi Encryption
Encryption is vital because it scrambles the data you send through your network. It makes it harder for unauthorized persons to get your personal information or see your activities. You can achieve that by updating router settings to WPA2 and WPA3 Personal. Both encryptions scramble your information and protect it against cybercriminals.
2. Rename Your Networks and Routers
Usually, a wireless router has a generic username and password when you set it for the first time. But you should change this generic admin information when the router is running. This generic information- usernames and passwords- are public records that you should change to keep your data safe.
Further, renaming your network keeps neighbors and hackers away. Renaming your network and changing its password kick off all devices connected to your network and keep snoops away. You can also hide the name of your network from being broadcast. Hiding the wireless network, SSID means no one will know it exists; thus, cybercriminals can’t connect to it.
3. Use VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) is software that allows you to hide your identity and encrypt internet communications. VPN directs your traffic via a remote server; thus, nobody can get your data online. Indeed VPN allows you to browse anonymously because it hides your online identity. You can use free or paid VPN services or turn on the VPN inbuilt into your router.
4. Update Wi-Fi Router Firmware
Cybercriminals leverage modern technology to create new tricks to hack routers. But you can outsmart them by updating your router’s firmware. Updating it improves your Wi-Fi network’s performance since the firmware is your router’s operating system. Based on your router type, you can automate its firmware updates, but it will reset after every update.
5. Disable Remote access
Although you can configure your Wi-Fi settings remotely, this entices criminals. You can eliminate this risk by disabling the remote access and instead making changes using the only devices connected to your network. This prevents hackers from accessing your router and changing its configuration remotely.
