How to set up a WiFi router securely
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Wireless internet or Wi-Fi access has become a necessity in the home and workplace, but it can also open the door to the dangers of hackers, scammers, and identity thieves. Whether you’re in your home or office, an unsecured Wi-Fi router running on manufacturer default settings can be a liability when it comes to hackers and Wi-Fi users accessing your private information and overburdening your broadband.
If your Wi-Fi is not properly secured – a public IP address, and there is no unique Wi-Fi password – you may allow anyone with a wireless-enabled device to access. You may not be worried about someone using your wireless connection, but the real danger is that the sensitive information you send and receive — emails, banking information, perhaps even your smart home’s daily schedule — is exposed to cybercriminals.
Primary router security
Every router should have a strong password to help keep the bad guys out. Some new routers come with default passwords, but you have to change them during setup. Creating a new, complex and unique password for your wireless router is easy. It should only take two minutes. Specific instructions vary from one prompt to another, but the basic idea is:
- All wireless routers have a digital address. If you’ve lost the instructions, you can probably find yours by searching online for your router’s model number.
- In the security settings, create a name for the router and a password, then select the type of encryption, such as WAP2. Don’t name your router something that can easily be associated with you, like your last name.
- Make sure you choose a complex password that you can remember, but not easy to guess.
- Don’t forget to save updated information when prompted. Your router is now secured against roaming cybercriminals.
Different types of encryption
Depending on your router, you may have options for different types of encryption. The most common types of router encryption are WEP, WPA, and WPA2. Commercial routers from brands such as Netgear, Linksys, and ASUS often include:
- Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP): This is the oldest and most popular form of router encryption available. However, it is the least secure of all the encryption protocols. It uses radio waves that are easy to break. For each data packet that is sent, it uses the same encryption key. With the help of automated software, this information can easily be analyzed.
- Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA): The Wi-Fi Alliance came with WPA to offer the WEP flawless encryption protocol. It obfuscates the encryption key thus eliminating the problems caused by hackers to hack radio waves. This is also a less secure form of encryption, in part due to older hardware and firmware still using WEP as the main protocol. However, it is a huge improvement over WEP.
- Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2): This type of encryption is currently the most secure and newest form of encryption available. You should always select WPA2 if available. It not only obfuscates the encryption key but also does not allow the use of the Temporary Key Integrity Protocol or TKIP which is known to be less secure than AES.
- Advanced Encryption Standard: If possible, you’ll want to use AES on top of WPA2 or WPA. This is the same type of encryption that the federal government uses to secure confidential information. Routers built after 2006 should have an option to enable this on top of WPA2.
How to securely set up a Wi-Fi router: details
Manufacturers know how important it is to make their products easy to use. Most routers come with instructions that are easy to set up and configure. Applications replace huge user guides and web interfaces that guide users through the setup process. While using apps, making router setup easier for customers, the router may not be completely secure. Here are some things to consider before setting up your router.
Update your router with new firmware and keep it up to date
Updating your router’s firmware is an important security measure to help protect your router from the latest threats. Most modern routers allow you to enable notifications to prompt you when the manufacturer performs patches and updates to the router firmware. Some manufacturers may automatically push the update to your devices, so you don’t have to do anything. However, there are some routers that have updates under the Settings option. In this case, the user has to make sure that the firmware is manually updated regularly.
Change the login credentials and password of the router
Traditional routers come with a default password created by the manufacturer. Although it may seem complex and hack-proof, there is a good chance that most models of the same router will share the same password. These passwords are often easy to track down or find on the Internet.
Be sure to change your router’s password during setup. Choose a complex alphanumeric password with multiple characters. If possible, change your network username as well. After all, it makes up half of your login credentials.
Always use WPA2 to secure your wireless network
Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, commonly known as WPA2, is a commonly used network security technology used in wireless routers.
It is one of the most secure encryption options available on the market since 2006. WPA2 obfuscates incoming and outgoing traffic from the router. This means that even if someone is within range and can see the traffic, all they see is the encrypted version.
disable WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) was created with the goal of making the user experience easier and faster when connecting new devices to the network. It works on the idea that you press a button on the router and a button on the device. This makes both devices automatically pair.
The user has the option to use a PIN or PIN to set up the device to establish a connection. This eliminates the use of the 16-character WPA password that most routers use.
However, due to the PIN, WPS has gained a bad reputation for being insecure. A PIN is an eight-digit number that can be easily hacked by frequent use of different combinations of usernames and passwords. This is done with the help of the program. This type of attack is called a brute force attack.
Most routers allow users to disable WPS. Even if the PIN option appears to be disabled, it is wise to disable WPS. In recent years, it has been discovered that many routers from well-known manufacturers allowed PIN-based authentication even when it appeared to be disabled.
Schedule your wireless network online
If you don’t use internet-connected devices like smart coffee makers and smart refrigerators, scheduling your wireless network’s online schedule may work. It helps to disable the internet when it is not in use. The disabled network will not appear in the list of hackers.
Get rid of any risky or unverified services
It would be wise to disable remote access to your router when you are actively connected to it.
Take UPnP, for example. Universal Plug and Play or UPnP is an easy way to let devices find other devices on your network. It can also change the router to allow devices from other networks to access your device. However, it has helped hackers introduce malware and viruses by making them bypass the firewall. Mirai Botnet is an example of one such attack.
Set up a guest network for smart home devices
The guest network has its advantages. Not only does it provide your guests with a unique SSID and password, but it also restricts strangers from accessing your primary network where your connected devices operate.
Once you’ve set up the guest network, you don’t have to share your primary network password with your guests. They will not be able to access your IoT enabled devices or infect your network and devices with malware or viruses that may be on their devices.
Other helpers for router security
Aside from your router settings and making sure you use your Wi-Fi’s security features, there are a few other options, like using a VPN, in addition to device security and identity theft.
Use a Virtual Private Network or VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts communications between devices, creating online privacy and anonymity. A VPN can mask your Internet Protocol (IP) address so that your online actions are almost untraceable. VPN services create secure and encrypted connections to provide greater privacy for the data you send and receive, even on secure Wi-Fi hotspots.
Always use a firewall
The firewall monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and allows or blocks certain traffic. It is an important security feature to look for when choosing a router. For the security of your network and devices online, it’s smart to never disable your firewall.
Install and use a powerful antivirus and security software
Setting up security for your wireless network doesn’t take much time at all and will do a lot to help protect you from hackers. Cybercriminals work tirelessly to gain access to your personal and financial information. A small investment in security software can go a long way.
Even if you don’t have neighbors that you want to prevent from borrowing your Wi-Fi, you will protect yourself from the most dangerous intrusions. Now that many homes are connected and many devices use Wi-Fi, it would be wise to protect all the information these devices contain. Don’t take risks. Just a few minutes of selecting the correct home Wi-Fi router settings can make a huge difference to your connected world.
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