How to Secure Home Wi-Fi: 8 Ways to Protect Your Network
Your home Wi-Fi connects more than your computer and phone. Smart TVs, security cameras, thermostats, gaming systems, smart appliances, and other connected devices may all rely on the same network. That makes keeping your Wi-Fi secure an important part of protecting your home network.
If you're wondering how to secure home Wi-Fi, you don't need to be a cybersecurity expert. Changing default credentials, enabling strong encryption, updating your router, and following a few other basic security practices can make a difference.
Key Takeaways
- Changing your Wi-Fi network name, password, and router admin credentials from their default settings can help protect your network.
- A guest network can help separate visitor devices from computers, smart appliances, and other devices on your primary network.
- Review features such as remote management and UPnP and disable them if you don't need them.
Why Is Home Wi-Fi Security Important?
Your Wi-Fi router serves as a connection point between the internet and many of the devices in your home. If someone gains unauthorized access to your network, they could potentially use your internet connection, attempt to access connected devices, or take advantage of devices with security weaknesses.
Following network security best practices protects your network against these risks. It can also help safeguard the growing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in your home, including web-connected cameras, smart speakers, and smart appliances.
Here are eight steps you can take to strengthen your network.
1. Change Your Default Network Name and Password
When setting up your router, start by changing its default network name and password. Your Wi-Fi network name is also called an SSID, or service set identifier. Avoid putting personal information, such as your name or address, in the SSID. You also don't need to identify the router model or manufacturer in your network name.
Next, create a strong password that's unique to your Wi-Fi. Avoid using the preset or default password and don't reuse credentials from other accounts.
A strong password should be difficult for someone else to guess while still being something you can securely store and retrieve when you need to connect a new device.
2. Change Your Router Admin Credentials
Your Wi-Fi password and router administrator password aren't necessarily the same thing. The Wi-Fi password allows devices to join your wireless network. Your admin login credentials give you access to the router settings themselves.
Depending on your router type, you may access the router admin dashboard through an app or by entering the router's IP address into a browser. Once you're signed in, check whether your router still uses its default admin username or password.
If it does, change the admin password to a unique, strong credential. Default admin login credentials can create an unnecessary security risk, particularly when they're commonly used across a particular router model.
3. Enable Strong Wi-Fi Encryption
Encryption helps protect information transmitted between your devices and wireless network.
Check your router settings to see which wireless security protocols are available. WPA3 is a current Wi-Fi Protected Access standard and is generally the preferred option when supported by your router and devices.
If WPA3 isn't available, WPA2 may be the appropriate option for older equipment. Older standards such as WPA and WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) don't provide the same level of protection and should generally be avoided.
Your router may automatically select the appropriate network encryption type. If you're unsure, consult the documentation for your equipment before changing security settings.
4. Keep Your Router Firmware Updated
Just like a computer or smartphone, your router runs software called firmware. Manufacturers may release firmware updates to fix security bugs, improve performance, and address newly discovered vulnerabilities. Depending on your equipment, these updates may happen automatically or require you to install them through your router settings.
Check whether automatic firmware updates are available and enabled. If not, periodically check your router's settings or manufacturer's website for updates.
If you have an older router that no longer receives security updates, it may be time to consider a replacement router.
5. Set Up a Guest Wi-Fi Network
If friends or family regularly ask for your Wi-Fi password, consider creating a guest network instead of connecting their devices directly to your primary network.
A properly configured guest network uses network isolation to separate visitor devices from the computers, phones, smart appliances, web-connected cameras, and other equipment on your main network. This is helpful even when you trust your guests. Their devices could contain malware or other security vulnerabilities without either of you knowing it.
6. Review Remote Management, UPnP, and WPS
Modern routers include convenient features that you may not actually need. Remote management, for example, can allow you to access your router's settings from outside your home network. If you don't use this capability, disabling it can reduce potential attack pathways.
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) allows compatible smart devices, gaming systems, and other applications to automatically configure network connections and ports. It's convenient for applications such as online gaming and file sharing, but it can also introduce security concerns. Consider disabling UPnP if your devices don't require it.
Before changing any of these settings, check your router's documentation and consider whether specific devices or applications rely on them.
7. Use Your Router's Firewall
Many modern routers include a built-in firewall that helps monitor and control network traffic between your home and the internet. Check your router settings to make sure its firewall is enabled. Depending on your equipment, you may see separate IPv4 and IPv6 firewalls, security rules, network traffic monitoring, or intrusion prevention features.
A firewall isn't a substitute for good passwords, encryption, or software updates. Instead, it's an additional layer of protection that can help block certain unauthorized incoming connections and network intrusions.
8. Keep Your Connected Devices Secure
Your router isn't the only part of your network that needs protection. Computers, smartphones, tablets, smart home devices, and other connected equipment should receive regular device updates. Keep operating systems, web browsers, antivirus or anti-malware software, and other security software current.
Be cautious with unexpected attachments and phishing links, too. A secure router can't prevent every threat if malware or ransomware gets onto a device through another method.
Periodically reviewing which devices are connected to your network can also help you identify anything you don't recognize.
What About Using a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, creates an encrypted connection between a compatible device and a VPN server. This can provide additional privacy by encrypting internet traffic between the device and VPN service and masking your public-facing IP address from the sites and services you access.
VPNs can be especially useful when using public Wi-Fi, where you don't control the network's security.
However, a VPN isn't a replacement for securing your home Wi-Fi. Strong passwords, WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, updated firmware, and secure devices are still important whether or not you use a VPN.
Common Questions About Secure Home Wi-Fi
What is the best security setting for home Wi-Fi?
WPA3 is generally the preferred wireless encryption standard when supported by your router and connected devices. If WPA3 isn't available, WPA2 is commonly used by older equipment. Avoid outdated protocols such as WEP.
How do I know if my home Wi-Fi is secure?
Check that your network uses modern encryption, has a strong and unique password, and doesn't use default router admin credentials. You should also keep firmware updated, enable your router firewall, and periodically review connected devices for anything you don't recognize.
Should I create a guest Wi-Fi network?
A guest network is useful if visitors regularly use your internet connection. When properly configured with network isolation, it lets guests get online without providing direct access to the primary network used by your personal and smart home devices.
Keep Your Home Connected and Secure
Learning how to secure home Wi-Fi doesn't require complicated network configuration. Start with the fundamentals: change default credentials, use strong encryption, keep your equipment updated, and make sure only trusted devices can access your primary network.
As the number of connected devices in your home grows, periodically reviewing your network settings can help keep everything running securely.
Need support securing your home Wi-Fi? At MTA Solutions, we provide internet and Wi-Fi options for Southcentral Alaska homes. If it's time to improve your home internet setup, contact us today to explore your options.