How To Secure Your WiFi Network
As we live in an age of smart devices, wireless internet connections are essential to keep our gadgets functioning freely. However, these WiFi networks need to be protected to prevent hackers from tapping into them and ultimately into your devices like laptops, smartphones, security cameras, and other implements connected to the internet. By tapping these connections, they can steal personal or sensitive data and misuse it. To prevent this from happening, you need to ensure that your WiFi connection is adequately secured.
For reliable wireless network security, the experts at ExcelLinx Communications have explained how WiFi networks work and the best ways to secure them.
How do wireless networks work?
WiFi networks or wireless networks use radio waves to transfer data. They work just like cell phones, televisions, and radios. For instance, a computer’s wireless adapter translates data into a radio signal and transmits it via an antenna. The wireless or WiFi router then receives the signal and decodes it. This information is then sent by the router to the internet through a physical ethernet connection. The process works in reverse as well so that our devices can obtain data from the internet.
How to protect your wireless network?
1. Secure your SSIDs
SSIDs are service set identifiers. They are the names you see when scanning for networks nearby. The default name of the network is usually the brand name and model number. Once installed, you need to change it as keeping it as the default gives hackers valuable information about your WiFi setup. For example, if you have left the network password the same as the default one, they will be able to access your network immediately. For this reason, you need to change the name of your network. Also, set a strong password and turn off remote management ports.
2. Use high-level encryption
For high-level encryption, use WEP, WPA, or WPA2 networks. WPA2 (WiFi Protected Access version two) is the successor to WEP and WPA networks, and it is the most recommended. They use TKIP or Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption based on the setup. AES is considered the most secure.
You also have the option of MAC (Media Access Control) address filtering to ensure only specific computers can access your network. Here, you do not need a password to authenticate users. Only those computers whose MAC addresses have been approved can use the digital network.
3. Get the latest equipment and technology
When choosing a router, make sure you select the latest one with MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) technology for faster internet. These devices ensure that you don’t lose WiFi speed when multiple devices are connected to the same network. Besides this, try to keep the firmware updated at all times so that it functions seamlessly.
4. Provide limited access
Provide limited access to your network. That is to people from your organization only. You can even remove cellular devices from your network if they happen to access it. Doing this will ensure that your internet is utilized for the right purpose and its speed doesn’t reduce. Moreover, you can protect your personal and business data better.
For more information on how to protect your WiFi network, reach out to us at ExcelLinx Communications. We are a network cabling company in Toronto, and we specialize in Fiber optic cabling, access control systems, and security camera systems. We provide a full suite of turnkey network cabling and wireless solutions for various communication needs. Our team has a combined experience of over fifteen years in the cabling and wireless marketplace. And, we are committed to implementing every solution on time and within budget.
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