There are plenty of different ways to keep your network secure, so we’ve rounded up some of the most important tips on how to secure wifi and how to keep your router secure and safe. It’s sensible to change both default settings as soon as possible. Steering away from the default administrator name makes a hacker’s job harder and, sometimes, default password lists can be leaked online. Change that default password to a something that’s a strong password. Follow guidelines for forming a strong password and stick to it. For one thing, it’s easier for you to recognize which is your router and which is your neighbor’s. For another, many router manufacturers use a standarized list of names so a hacker can often learn a lot about your router just from the SSID name it’s sending out to everyone. Changing the name cuts back on this risk, plus it shows the hacker that you know how to secure your network, leaving them liable to move onto find an easier target. The key here is to, generally, use the newest form of encryption—WPA2. It’s not hard to switch to on your router providing you know how. Usually, the setting is a matter of finding encryption settings and clicking on the WPA2 box next to it. Most routers simply require you to log in then seek out the Update option on their settings screen to do so. Don’t expect to be able to use the router while it’s updating. It’s a slightly trickier thing to set up than other settings, as you need to do it on an individual basis, but, if you’re really worried about security and safety, it’s a generally highly effective method.
