How to protect your home network from cyber attacks
As we continuously live in a world of technology, it only means one thing – “The use of a wide range of gadgets and devices in our homes that require an internet connection.”
According to statistics, more than 40% of homes have one of the following gadgets:
- Computers
- Smartphones
- Cameras and voice assistants
- Smart TVs, and connected appliances
Our increasing dependence on the internet to connect all these devices has opened the door to many risks of cyber-attacks. Therefore, protecting the network of your home is now a must.
In this blog, we will take you through some of the reasons why you should secure your home network is important, and the best ways to do it.
Why Should You Secure Your Home Network?
When you use devices in your home that connect to the network, it can also be a possible entry point for cyber-attacks. Securing your home network protects your personal information and financial data from potential hackers and malicious software.
Solutions to Protect Home Networks from Cyber Attack
- Change the Default Username and Password
No one wants to go through situations where their data is breached and used by a cybercriminal. But they do not know how to make sure their personal information is safe from being used by hackers.
One of the most common and effective ways to prevent cyber-attacks in your home is by changing the default username and password that comes with your home network to something that is much more secure.
Network providers often give your network a username and password, and hackers can easily find these default passwords online. If they have entry to your network, they can change the password, lock you out, and start using the network for their fraudulent activities.
Changing to a personalized username and strong password that combines letters, numbers, and symbols makes it more difficult for them to gain access to your network.
- Turn on Wireless Network Encryption
Your router is the gateway to your home network and encryption is one of the most effective ways of safeguarding it. The function of encryption is mainly to hide your data or the contents of a message. When this is done, it is not easily deciphered by hackers. Ensure your router is configured properly and enable encryption on it, preferably WPA2 or WPA3.
- Use Strong Passwords
Your passwords are like keys used for opening your online accounts and services. So, it is important you ensure they are hard to guess or crack. Generally, you should not use the same or common passwords for all your accounts. Also, avoid using your personal information such as names, birthdays, or phone numbers as your password.
To ensure all the devices you are using at home are safe, it is advisable to always use a combination of letters, numbers, symbols, and cases to create your passwords. There are also tools such as password managers that you can use to generate and protect your passwords. Most importantly, enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security and protect your home network from cyber-attacks.
- Educate Your Family
Are you living together with your family and sharing the same network? If yes, then this step is very important for you. Have a conversation with your family about the importance of cyber security and how best to prevent it from happening.
Educate your family to protect their information at all times as they cannot trust any big or small organizations when it comes to handling their information properly. You should teach them how to identify phishing emails, malicious links, fake websites, and other online scams that can deceive them into disclosing their passwords.
You can also set some rules and boundaries on what every family member can assess online depending on their age. These can include activities, such as limiting the time, content, and platforms. You should also monitor their network usage and the type of website they are always visiting.
The Bottom Line
Protecting your home network from cyber-attacks is like brushing your teeth every day. You don’t have to like what you are doing but do it because it is going to protect your home network in the long term.
When it comes to how to protect your home network from cyber-attacks, making the right decision is essential and that can only be Cyber Cops. We provides excellent protection for all your valuable assets and protect your home network from cyber-attacks. We make your security easy!