WIFI made it so easy for everyone to use the Internet on a computer, mobile phones, tablets, and other wireless devices anywhere in the house without the cables. With a wired networks it is very difficult for anyone to steal your bandwidth. Most people protect their wireless network just by setting up a password which prevents other people from taking control. As wireless security is critical we should be more serious about it and do more than just setting a simple password.
What you can do to secure your WIFI network
If the LED of your wireless router is continuously blinking and no one from the family is using the Internet at home. This shows that someone else - probably your neighbors – are using your Wireless (Wi-Fi) network. It is easy to make your wireless network secure. This will prevent anyone from stealing your internet and hackers won’t be able to access your data. Take a step ahead to secure your network and prevent loss of critical data with help of ZENCC. The following are the steps.
Open your wifi network settings page
You need to know how to access your wireless network settings. This usually can be done by typing “192.168.1.1” in your web browser then you need to enter the correct username and password which is given on router. The username and password are different for each router. You can find the username and password of the router on Google as well if you lost the manual which you get when you buy the router.
Create a unique password on your router
Wireless router comes with a default username and password which is needed to install and connect to the router. Any password that protects your wifi network should be long and random so it can't be cracked by a hacker. Changing both access names and passwords will make it very difficult for anyone to gain access. A strong wireless network password should be at least 20 characters long which should include numbers, letters, and various symbols.
Change your SSID Network
SSID stands for ("Service Set Identifier”). It’s a unique ID which consists of 32 characters and is used for naming wireless networks. It is just a technical term for network name. Changing the SSID name of your network is a good idea because others will know to which network they are connecting. You will find this setting under “wireless setting” on your router setting page. Do not use any personal information for SSID name.
Separate Your home Wi-Fi Network from Your Guest Wi-Fi Network
If you wish to allow other people to use your Wi-Fi, it's sensible to offer a guest network. Which will mean that they can connect to the internet without getting access to your company's or family's network. You can buy a separate internet connection with its own wireless access point. This is rarely necessary because many business wireless routers have the capability of running two Wi-Fi networks at once – one is your main network, and another for guests (often with the SSID "Guest".)
Enable Network Encryption
You need to encrypt your wireless signals from preventing other computers in the area from using your internet connection. There are many methods of encryption for wireless settings Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), Wi-Fi Protected Access Version 2 (WPA2). WPA2 has been the most secure method for protecting your Wi-Fi connection since the mid-2000s.
Enable MAC authentication for your users
All your wireless devices have a unique MAC address let it be your laptop or wifi enabled mobile phone. you can add MAC addresses of all your devices to the wireless router’s settings so that only the specified devices can connect to your Wi-Fi network. You can limit the number of device accesses to your wireless network. This prevents unwanted devices from accessing network resources.
Reduce the Range of the Wireless Signal
If your wireless router network has a high range but you are staying in a small studio apartment, you can consider reducing the signal range by changing the mode of your router to 802.11g (instead of 802.11n or 802.11b) or use a different wireless channel. You can also place the router under the bed or inside a shoe box or wrap a foil around the router antennas so that you can somewhat restrict the direction of signals.
Use a Virtual Private Network
A VPN or virtual private network will help you to stay safe and secure online while keeping all your stuff private. It keeps your data hidden from prying eyes/ hackers by encrypting one end to other. In theory, hackers could access your network and they'd still not be able to do any harm to your system assuming that a VPN is running permanently.
Upgrade router firmware
You should check the manufacturer’s site repeatedly to make sure that your router is running the latest firmware.