Tips to Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

Wireless Networking or Wi-Fi has made internet connection available for computer, mobile phones, or other Wi-Fi enabled devices anywhere, within the range of your wireless network. Unlike wired connection whose bandwidth was difficult to steal, wireless networks are easy to access by any third party if their devices lie within wireless range.

If you are accessing any wireless network or owner of an unsafe network, you should be aware of the its vulnerability towards security and your device. You never know who is doing what on your network. Therefore it is necessary to make your network and devices secured enough so that they are not engaged in any third party interference. Here are some tips to secure your Wi-Fi network.

Network Encryption

Encryption is the basic defense mechanism for your wireless network. It encodes the data transmitted between your system and network. However, not all networks are encrypted enabled making them completely accessible to others. Make sure that your network’s encryption is turned on with the strongest support. Wireless Protected Access (WPA) protocol and WPA2 has surpassed the less secured Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP)

Choose WPA/WPA2 protocol which is more secured and difficult to crack. Use a strong password for your encryption key.

Encryption for Old Routers

In case your router does not support WPA/WPA2 protocol, it is advisable to use 128-bit WEP key and check if any firmware update is available. If it is not available than change your router with a new one that supports WPA+WPA2 mode for better protection.

Change your default network name and password with a more difficult one so that it becomes harder for any hackers to break into your network.

Additional Security Measures

Even if you have turned on the firewall in your router, this does not completely protect your network. It is still exposed to people within your wireless network range. For extra protection, you should install and run software firewalls like zonealarm, Comodo Firewall, ESET Smart Security 6 and many more.

Secure Your Device at Public Wi-Fi network

Public wireless network does not use encryption. Therefore, it is on your part to get your system secured. Verify that the public hotspot is legal and valid

Make sure that your device’s firewall is turned on. And Windows’ file-sharing feature is off.  Try to avoid sending bank passwords, credit card numbers and other confidential mails unless you are confident about the wireless network.

Use VPN Service

Virtual Private Network or VPN is another option to make your device protected in public WI-Fi network. They create secure ‘tunnels’ in which your encrypted data travels safely and confidently use the Public wireless network.  It is easy to use and secured.

There are many companies which provide these VPN services for free as well as paid. Boingo's Personal VPN (free trial with Boingo subscription, $30 to keep), JiWire Hotspot Helper (10-day free trial, $25 per year) or Witopia personalVPN ($40 per year) are such companies. Other options are LogMein and GoToMyPC. They help you get remote access to your home or office device using public hotspots securely. 

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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