How to Secure Your Home Internet Connection easily

This is a collaborative post.

You might think your home Wi-Fi won’t ever get hacked but it could and you need to secure your home internet connection. Here I want to share some easy ways you can make your connection much more secure with the equipment you already have.

Scammers targeted nearly one-third of businesses in the past year – but why would they turn to you? Regardless, it’s better to be safe than sorry, given how many devices might connect to your network at any time.

From phones to laptops and security cameras, these devices likely hold a range of information that criminals could access. Securing your network helps reduce the risk of hackers getting in. It’ll also stop freeloaders who could slow down your connection.

Here are five simple but effective steps to secure your home internet network.   

Change the Default Name

Your Wi-Fi network will come with a default service set identifier (SSID). It’s likely to include your internet service provider’s name and will be discoverable by nearby devices. Changing this to something more obscure will help throw hackers off the trail.

It’s best to turn off network name broadcasting at the same time. This will stop your network from appearing when people search for available connections. 

Create a Strong, Unique Password

Next, you’ll want to change the default network password. It can be easy to guess if a hacker knows your router’s manufacturer. Aim to choose a new one with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

Ensure your new password is unique. Recent research found that 88% of people in the UK reuse passwords across multiple services, making things easier for hackers.

Use Firewall and Wi-Fi Encryption

Firewalls help protect computers from outside threats. Most modern Wi-Fi routers come with firewalls, but sometimes they’re automatically turned off. You should also have the option of Wi-Fi encryption to mask the data you send between your router and connected devices. Go into your router settings and turn both features on for maximum reassurance. 

Use a VPN to Access Your Network

A virtual private network (VPN) is a security tool that encrypts your online activities from prying eyes. You can install a VPN for multiple devices to protect your whole household with one subscription. 

That includes laptops and phones, as well as tablets and smart TVs. You then won’t need to worry about other people in your home leaving your network vulnerable.

Create a Guest Network

Inviting guests into your home often means sharing your Wi-Fi password and connection. You probably trust most of them to avoid suspicious activity. However, creating a separate guest network can provide an extra layer of protection. Keeping guests off your main network protects it from malware or viruses they could unwittingly bring in. 

You can also use guest networks for smart devices such as cameras, thermostats, and speakers, which can be easy targets.

Unfortunately, these five methods don’t guarantee network security, but they do reduce risk. Can you implement any of these today?