The Internet plays a vital role in our daily lives, and it is nearly impossible to extract its services from it, and our dependence on it is increasing significantly daily. Whether working in office or remotely, Students and kids need it for educational and research purposes, and a vast mass consumes the internet for entertainment.
With a variety of streaming platforms being introduced to the audience, everyone has something exclusively unique to offer, and people are now seen switching and using multiple platforms all at once.
But the problem is some streaming platforms like Hulu are limited for the US audience to access but have viewers globally. Is there a Hulu Germany and other regions? When people find no, they turn to shady streaming sites when the actual solution is a VPN. But not a free one.
The Right and Wrong Types of Tools
We forget that keeping our WiFi secure is as essential as locking our door, and here we are using doubtful VPNs to aggravate the case even more.
It is a breeze to crack your WiFi security by using any of your connected devices by a hacker or any third party, eventually exposing all your confidential information to them, including your credit card details.
If you have personal WiFi at the house, ensure its privacy is secured. Many cases have occurred even by notable router services providers who lack robust software, which has the potential risk of being hacked by hackers.
So let’s learn how we can safeguard our devices by configuring the best router settings.
WEP and WPA
WEP, also known as Wired Equivalent Privacy, was the first security protocol introduced by the WiFi Alliance. Still, it was not perfect and developed various flaws over the years, even though it can be easily hacked by publicly available software, hence making it obsolete by 2004.
Then another security protocol WPA (WiFi Protected Access), was invented as a momentary solution to the existing problem. What made it distinctive was that it uses TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) to produce a unique key for every information packet. But it was also bygone by the year 2015 for insufficient security reasons.
WPA2 Encryption
WPA2 (WiFi Protected Access) is akin to WPA and has a more robust security protocol than what was provided by its first generation. It was unleashed in 2006 and had an incredible and stronger encryption method AES, which eventually replaced the TKIP.
The Advanced Encryption System is identical to what is used by the Government of the US to secure crucial records. It has nominal flaws compared to the former systems, and all these minor threats can be averted by simply putting in a strong and uncrackable password. It provides great security from all the prying eyes and secures your data and devices.
WPA3 Encryption
In 2018, the WiFi Alliance provided the public with another potent security protocol called WPA3. It is said to be one of the most refined protocols for WiFi networks. It is similar to WPA2 but is loaded with numerous advanced features. It works as a route between your network and any wireless device.
It asks for the password from unknown sources for authentication, making sure that the user is physically present to see your router. It also provides robust security against all the brute-forces-attack.
People with an older router version will likely not have access to the WPA3. To ensure enjoying the perks of its security, you may need an upgraded version of your router or wait for the green signal from your service provider.
Manage the Default Password
Most of the routers have the default login credentials, which are usually very easy to guess and have the potential risk of being cracked by cyberpunks. So it is essential to change your default password and update it.
Make sure to put a complex and robust password by including a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. This way, your router will remain secured from unauthorized access.
Revise Firmware Regularly
Your router producers cast the firmware updates every now and then to handle the security protocols, fulfill the vulnerabilities, and enhance the performance of their product.
So don’t forget to pay a visit to your router provider’s official website and look for the upgrades regarding the firmware. Immediately apply for the available upgrades. Updating your router’s firmware ensures your devices are secured against all threats.
Encryption of the Network
To enhance your WiFi security even more, consider getting encryption protection for your wired connection as well. You can use Ethernet Cables with a built-in encryption feature, which protects your wired devices against all threats.
Undermine Remote Management
Remote management refers to the feature where you are allowed to handle your router setting from outside of your home. Providing a golden opportunity for hackers to breach the security of your devices.
So it is mandatory to disable remote management, except when you are in actual need of it. And if you are using this feature, ensure your password is strong enough to resist potential risks.
MAC Address Filtering
MAC (Media Access Control) address filtering is a feature that allows you to keep an eye on all the devices that are connected to your network. You can identify those devices by their distinctive addresses. By enabling this feature, you are restricting unauthorized devices from getting connected unless they are trusted devices.
Wrapping Up
Our WiFi connection can provide a gateway to intruders who are always keen to invade your privacy and misuse your information. So, it is upto us to ensure our safety by following all these easy measures to protect and maintain your privacy.
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