How to Protect Your Home Wi-Fi Network: 5 Tips for World Wi-Fi Day

Your home router isn’t just a gateway to the internet, it’s the digital front door to your entire household. The bad guys know that if they compromise just a single router, they can conceivably gain access to other devices on your home network; from laptops and smartphones to smart thermostats and security cameras, potentially wreaking havoc on your daily life.

With World Wi-Fi Day approaching (June 20th), now is the perfect time to take proactive steps to secure your home network. Below, we’ll cover actionable strategies to keep your home and devices safe.

The best offense is a good defense

While basic security measures like changing passwords are important, these advanced strategies can add some needed oomph to your network’s defenses:

1. Enable automatic updates

Many modern software applications (including many TP-Link routers) automatically check for and install updates, ensure that you have this setting enabled if it is available to you. If your device does not have this option, make it a habit to check regularly for security updates and install them manually. These updates often contain critical patches that protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities that cybercriminals actively exploit.

2. Change default Wi-Fi router login credentials

Create robust, unique passwords for every device and account, especially your router’s administrator credentials. Never reuse passwords across multiple accounts; if one gets compromised, you want to contain the damage. And always be sure to change the default passwords on any new device, because these are well-known to attackers.

3. Disable Remote Management

Having remote access to your Wi-Fi router’s administrative interface can be convenient if you have a need for that capability, but without the right controls in place it can provide an attacker with a target to attempt to exploit. If you don’t have a need to access your Wi-Fi router’s administrative interface when outside of your home it is recommended to disable that option.

4. Monitor connected devices regularly

By reviewing the list of wirelessly connected devices to your home network on a regular basis, you will soon be able to decipher a ‘rogue’ device when one shows up on the list. If you detect such a device you can block it from accessing your network or change the password of your wireless network immediately. As a side note, setting up a separate guest network for visitors and smart devices can also help limit any impact to your main network.

5. Activate your network’s built-in firewall

Many of today’s wireless routers feature configurable firewalls that can block malicious traffic and alert you to suspicious activities. Take advantage of advanced features like access controls, web filtering, and denial-of-service protection. Don’t forget to also enable firewalls on your individual devices; both Windows and macOS have built-in firewall capabilities that provide an additional layer of protection.

Staying ahead of the game

As we celebrate World Wi-Fi Day, remember that network security is an ongoing process, not a one-and-done task. By making network security a regular part of your digital routine, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your digital life is properly protected.