Top Tips To Make Your Internet Connection Secure From Hackers
Network Connections are essential as they offer the convenience of uninterrupted data connection, which is now the need of the hour. However, the connection also comes forth with a few disadvantages too.
As freely it is available to almost every individual, the risks involved while using the technology have made the user base accessible to an end number of complications, most of which include issues related to security.
Network security helps to keep ethical hackers and online advertisers from accessing your important and personal information. These hackers access your information using an Internet connection used for your electronic devices. Information accessed includes bank details, residential address, and personal information. So, to steer away from these mishaps, we’ve got you covered with a list of simple yet effective measures to secure your connection from hackers.
The internet is everywhere, right from our smartphones and laptops to our smartwatches, television sets, and even our home security systems. The pandemic has pushed us closer together online. With online classes, social media, and even businesses taking the online route for the majority of their day-to-day dealings, cybersecurity is of paramount concern.
How to secure our internet connection against cyber-attacks?
Luckily, everything is not this dark. With a few simple measures and caution, the majority of these attacks can be avoided. Let’s see a few ways to have a safe browsing experience. The internet has become the prime tool for carrying out any kind of activity in the modern world. It has evolved to become a basic necessity in the lives of all, and not just for the tech-savvy.
In fact, most governments have recognized the right to an internet connection as a fundamental right. In such an environment, where the internet is an indispensable part of carrying out everyday tasks, it has also carried the vice of making individuals using it susceptible to online attacks. Use of the internet means providing access to large amounts of personal data, which can easily be hacked out of the user’s internet connection. Hence, a user must take all necessary precautions and measures to secure his or her internet connection.
WiFi is the most popular form of internet connection, and hence also becoming the most popular way into hacking a user’s internet connection. It gives hackers access to all devices connected to the WiFi, putting bank details, child safety, extremely personal images, etc., at high risk. Hackers usually creep in by taking advantage of small mistakes we make, which can easily be avoided in the following ways. All these steps can be taken by first signing into your router’s settings page through a browser. To Keep your router safe and secure, fill 192.168.0.10 in the address bar of your browser. Approach your network provider to help you access your router settings page.
These include
- Change the name of your router.
- Always use a strong and long password.
- Turn on encryption.
- Use multiple firewalls.
- Turn on VPS
- Turn off the WPS
- Update your routers regularly.
Change The Name Of Your Router:
When a user purchases a Wi-Fi system, it comes with a 16 digit username and a generic password. Both of which are required to access the service initially. Once the services are activated, the user can now freely use the internet connection. But, the username and password are easily available in the public record. Thus, the entire process of accessing one’s connection becomes extremely easy for the hacker.
Every network has a default SSID, i.e., service set identifier. Default settings usually provide information on the router, disclosing information on the router type and model to hackers. It is important to change it such that it does not disclose any personal or relevant data. The default password must also be changed as default passwords are easy to guess. Set a strong password consisting of uppercase and lowercase letters, numerals, and symbols. Ensure that the password is at least 20 characters long, making it difficult for hackers to guess and gain access to your internet connection.
To avoid any problems related to this, users are requested to change their username and password to something more secure. This ensures that the information is not accessible to any hacker, thereby securing their privacy.
Always Use A Strong And A Long Password:
Strong passwords ensure that your network is not accessed by everyone but your family/friends. When a password is strong and long, it makes it extremely difficult for the hacker to guess it. As the password is long, they can be multiple combinations to the password, which makes it difficult for hackers to access.
Also, ensure that your password has the following:
- 16 character password is considered as a strong password
- Always use uppercase alphabets and lower case alphabets. This makes it difficult for hackers to access as there can be multiple combinations.
- Avoid using any personal information like birth dates, anniversary dates, the name of your hometown, or information related to your family.
- To check the strength of your password, you can always use a password manager or an online password strength checker.
- Never reuse the passwords.
Turn On Encryption:
The safest way to secure your internet connection is by turning on encryption. Every router available in the market has this feature. Turning on this feature requires a different set of passwords. It is recommended to set a strong password to turn on the feature as well as for your router connection.
Use Multiple Firewell
By turning on the encryption for your router as well as using multiple firewalls creates a strong, secure way to protect your network connection from hackers.
Use VPN
A VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and is one of the best ways to secure your network. It acts as a mediator between The connected device and the internet. It’s essential as it hides every online activity conducted on your device, thereby not allowing anyone on the internet to access your private information. This also ensures that your information is safe from online advertisers. This tool is a must-have as it adds an extra level of security to your internet connection.
VPN is software that masks your IP address. An IP address is your identity on the internet, which hackers can use to know your geolocation, device type, and sometimes your name, email, and phone number.
VPN means Virtual Private Network. VPN’s provide an additional layer of security and encryption to your local networks. They encrypt DNS requests and any other information that may open doors for online attacks, making it nearly impossible for hackers to decipher any local traffic.
A VPN creates a virtual tunnel, making a secure connection between you and the internet. There are various free VPN software, for example, Hola. You can also look at various paid with discount Hola VPN Coupon Code providers for increased security.
Turn Off WPS
WPS stands for Wi-Fi protected system. It’s a function that allows electronic devices such as laptops and mobiles to connect with your network easily. By turning off the feature it ensures that not everyone has access to your network system. However if you do wish to connect your devices, turn on the feature to pair your electronic devices. If you have a private connection that does entail providing access to the general public, then turn off your network name broadcasting. It will help hide your network and may avoid the attention of opportunistic hackers.
Update Your Router Regularly
By updating the router information regularly, it is difficult for Internet hackers to access your information. We recommend you to change your username, password, and your encryptions regularly to ensure safety while using your electronic devices. It is important to keep your router’s software up to date. Like how an OS system update comes with enhanced security features, router updates also provide enhanced and more advanced security features. Please keep checking the router website to ensure that it is running on the latest update.
Using anti-malware software
An anti-malware software protects us from malware that can get downloaded to our devices in the form of an email attachment or other downloadable content. They can corrupt our system and steal valuable information. Even here, like VPN Softwares, there are various free as well as paid options. A few are Avast and Malwarebytes.
Using password encryption tools
One of the famous hackers’ methods to gain access is guessing our passwords using tools like Brutus. To create and manage unbreakable passwords, we can use encryption tools such as Lastpass, which creates as well as manages unique passwords for all your business and social handles.
When using a WiFi network to connect to the internet
- Change the default name of the Wifi router. Malicious attackers can know the manufacturer name and might exploit certain model-specific vulnerabilities.
- Change the default password to something unique and of appropriate length. We can use this guide to generate a strong password.
- Use a strong Network Administrator Password. Most Wifi routers come with a default password of “admin” or “password.” These passwords are too easy for malicious attackers to break in. Change them for increased security.
Check who is connected to your network
It would be best if you constantly kept in check of who and which device is connected to your network to avoid unauthorized use. You can do so by opening your router’s administration age, and if you find unauthorized users, simply reset your password into something stronger.
Beware of any rogue access points
Hackers usually set up rogue access points that allow any person to use your network without any password. You can check for these points by installing softwares such as Vistumblr or airodump-ng on your device and scanning for such rogue access points.
Limiting the range of the wireless signal
Another simple and easy way to prevent hacking into your network is to reduce the range of the wireless signal by changing the mode of your router or using a different wireless channel. An anti-WiFi blocking paint prevents the WiFi signal from getting out of the walls of your house. This prevents passer-by hackers from gaining access to your network.
Enable MAC authentication
MAC addresses are unique serial numbers for each wireless device. MAC authentication allows only those MAC addresses to connect to the network and bars the rest. This helps block any unauthorized device from connecting to your network. You can do so by adding the required MAC address to your router’s settings.
Enable Firewalls
Routers generally have built-in firewalls. However, they are turned off by default. Make sure to turn them on, and in case your router does not have a firewall, install a firewall solution on your system. Firewalls protect your computer against unauthorized or malicious intrusions by checking data coming in and going out and blocking any suspicious activity.
Enabling network encryption
Encryption ensures that online activity is not traced back to your device to gain access to any kind of personal data. By default, encryption is turned off in router settings. Make sure to turn it on. Most modern routers have WPA2 security, which is the most secure. Enter a passphrase for access to your network, making it as long and unique as possible. WPA passwords can be tested using the CloudCracker service.
Conclusion
Internet connection protection is a multi-layered strategy. Various steps need to be taken to build more walls around your network. Keeping your network vulnerable will expose you to unauthorized use, either by criminal hackers or for unauthorized use of your network. Therefore, it is best to build these additional walls by following the simple steps provided above for the safe use of the internet.