Home networks among computers, printers, tablets and mobile phones are also often connected to the internet. If saved insecurely, malicious hackers can obtain your private data or have access to your devices for a distributed denial-of-service attack against you, for example.
If you need to know how, there are a set of evolving mitigation techniques you can use: disable a function known as Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), turn on your firewalls, update your firmware, monitor your devices and their connections, and create strong passwords.
Change Your SSID
Your router and modem are the central nodes that link your devices to the internet, and without proper security, your entire network is open for attack. The first step is to rename the SSID (Service Set Identifier) from its default name, which will appear on any device trying to join the network, to something more cryptic. When an SSID lists the manufacturer and model of your router, it gives attackers an idea about what other devices are active on your network. Use a network name that doesn’t provide any identifying personal details, such as your nickname, surname or street address. You might also want to disable your SSID broadcast by logging into your router and clicking ‘Save’ before setting your SSID – changes will take effect immediately!
Change Your Passwords
Every member of our family has at least one computer and perhaps a games system at home, but there are also TVs, smart doorbells and thermostats. We have many devices on our home network, all adding value to our lives through convenience but with some security issues lurking that could compromise daily life. Hackers leverage on the insecurity of networks to gain access; to steal personal details and data, or to mount spy attacks and take over control of your devices. With just some simple tweaks, you can strengthen your router and other devices against them. Make sure that all devices are updated with new patches as soon as the latest software updates come out (holes in security get patched, and rebooted devices seal off the potential for break-ins), don’t install needless services or software; (buy name-brand devices and share your internet connection with guests through a separate, secure guest network that keeps attackers away from your personal info); create long, hard-hitting passwords for all your devices; and change the default administrator logins on every router and modem into a password that’s harder for just about anyone to guess.
Install Antivirus Software
Home networks might connect dozens of devices including laptops, tablets and even a variety of IoT gadgets such as cameras and speaking devices, all of which could possibly contain valuable information including credit card numbers, account login passwords and live video feeds that intruders could access if the network is compromised. Home network security relies on being choosy about which router and modem to purchase, changing all default log-in passwords, enabling encryption and hiding your network name. And of course — ensure your antivirus software is updated to provide protection against new strains. You can also make your network less appealing to threat actors by, as described by Kaspersky, making it ‘more difficult, expensive, less rewarding, or even impossible’ for attackers to access. One thing most people forget to do is turn off remote management for their router and modem devices. Remote management is a handy feature that allows you to manage and troubleshoot your network from anywhere, be it from your laptop or your phone – but it also means that it’s easy for a threat actor to connect to your network and change its settings without your knowledge. Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is another feature that enables malware to communicate with your devices and networks without your permission.
Change Your Location
It is also important to teach your family about basic cybersecurity practices, beyond passwords and two-connected device using a secure Wi-Fi connection. If possible, consider segregating the guest Wi-Fi network, so if any of these devices are compromised with malware or viruses, they do not impact the rest of your local network. For home networks, that means one last thing: enable network encryption on your router so that data travelling across the network is unreadable to anyone not authorised to do so. Don’t put it near windows or doors, which are more exposed if your network gets peered in on. Put it in the middle of your home rather than near the walls, and this will spread out its signal and make it eke out less distance. Mac-address your new additions when you connect them to the network.
