Chances are that the device you are using right this moment is using a WIFI connection to access the internet. WIFI has become so ubiquitous that almost every internet-connect person on earth has used it or currently using it. How secure are you on the internet when on a WIFI connection? Can you be hacked?
WIFI is still easy to hack in 2020 and beyond
In truth, WIFI has, for the longest time, been the easiest way to infiltrate user connections and steal data or take control of user devices and networks. As early as 2015, WIFI hacking was the most preferred method to target home internet users as far afield as Japan. A 30-year old man by the name of Hirofumi Fujita was put on trial for hacking into people’s home and office networks and stealing over 16 million yuan using their online banking information.
There are similar cases of people losing their online identities or having their home WIFI networks breached around the world. WIFI networks are still quite easy to breach as can be proven from this simple 3-minute guide published on PC Mag on how to hack WIFI passwords. Even newbie hackers or random people with the right tools and a computer can get into your network with relative ease.
You can stay secure on your home WIFI network
However, all is not lost as there are numerous ways to guarantee that your devices and home WIFI network are secure from hackers and thieves in cyberspace. WIFI has become part of our daily lives and it’s impossible to imagine a world without it.
Here some tried and tested methods or safeguards you can put in place to ensure that your home WIFI network and the devices connected to it are secure at all times:
The basics- does your connection have a password?
Research has shown that a good percentage of homeowners never bother to set a password on their home WIFI networks. Most people view setting a WIFI password as an unnecessary inconvenience as they are the only ones using the network or if the WIFI signal is weak outside their houses.
It’s important to set a password on your WIFI network even if you are the only one who uses it or even if the signal does not reach your yard. Hackers can use a strong WIFI antenna to capture your signal and gain easy access to your network without your knowledge.
Ensure that the WIFI password you set is strong enough to prevent easy breaches- has a mixture of letters, special characters, and numbers. It is also recommended that you change both your router and WIFI password every once in a while, to prevent prolonged access to your network in case of a breach.
Secure your home devices with security software
Use antivirus
It’s not easy to be sure of your security when using your WIFI network especially if you are not the savvy type and don’t bother to check your network traffic or enable encryption. To be safe look for trusted antivirus software like Norton to prevent hackers from accessing your devices over the home WIFI network or installing viruses on them. The antivirus will also come with robust network monitoring features to warn you whenever there is suspicious activity on your network.
Use a VPN if possible
In addition to the antivirus, you could also consider installing a VPN client on your internet devices. A VPN will secure the internet traffic on your home network and provide end-to-end encryption so that hackers with unauthorized access to your network cannot steal your private data.
Enable WPA on your home router (and disable other security/access protocols)
Most modern routers come with WPA as the default security protocol. WPA is not entirely hacker-proof but is the most secure and most preferred security method today. It will prevent most of the attacks directed to your home WIFI network. Pair it with a good password, antivirus, and other safeguards and you will be safe from WIFI hackers and cybercriminals. Remember to disable older protocols like WPS and unused remote access protocols and ports on your router.
Keep your router firmware updated
Apply any security updates that become available for your WFI router as soon as you can. Most hackers tend to use known router vulnerabilities that often get patched by router manufacturers. Failure to apply firmware updates makes your router an easy target for hackers.
All in all, taking a proactive approach to your WIFI security is the only you can prevent hackers from gaining access and stealing your data. Stay secure!