As we become increasingly dependent on the Internet to shop, work, study, and almost everything, network security has never been more important than now. When you’re browsing the Internet, all of the data that passes through it relies on the network to be secure enough to not let others gain access to them.

While the digital world is so complex, it is always wise to do some to protect personal, private, and sensitive information before anything happens.

You can protect yourself and your family by following some simple mitigations on your home network.

Tips for securing your home network

1. Change your router’s default Wi-Fi name and password

Some routers have a network name and password set by the manufacturer. It's often composed of the manufacturer and maybe the model name, and this leaves your network vulnerable to an attack. As an attacker can easily find the password online if they know your router’s brand. Thus, they could access your network and even lock you out.

When you buy a router, change the network name as soon as possible. Use no personal information in your network name, such as your name, home address or birthday. That way, no one can see that it belongs to you.

2. Use a strong password

Use a strong and complex password on your network. The best passwords are a combination of upper and lowercase alphanumerical characters. The harder the password, the more it will take a beast power assault to guess your password. Change your passwords frequently, if possible.

3. Set up a guest network

Create a separate network by setting up a guest network. Use the primary network for family and close friends, while the guest network for visitors. A guest network is a separate access point on your router. It not only provides your friends and acquaintances access to the Internet without compromising your data but also is a great way to protect your network. Visit this article to know how to create a guest network.

4. Keep the firmware up to date

Updating the firmware on your router is important as manufacturers may issue an update to add new features or fix weaknesses. Most routers don’t support automatic updates, so you must do it manually.

To update your router’s firmware, log in to the device through a browser and check if updates for your model are available. For rockspace products’ firmware updates, go to the Support page for more detailed instructions on how to do it.

5. Turn on Wi-Fi encryption

Enabling encryption prevents others from hogging your bandwidth. WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3 are the main encryption methods. WPA3 is the most secure choice.

To turn on this feature, go to your router’s Wi-Fi settings by using your IP address. When you enable encryption for your network, a password is required when someone tries to use your network and the information sent between your wireless devices (computers, phones) and the router is encrypted. That makes it harder for others to eavesdrop on your traffic and access your personal information.

6. Disable WPS and remote access

Designed with convenience in mind, WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) allows you to quickly add devices to your network without complex configuration. However, it is insecure and leaves your Wi-Fi network vulnerable to security risks.

Remote access lets you access your Wi-Fi network anywhere you have an Internet connection. It brings convenience to you, for sure, but also security issues. With remote administration enabled, a hacker can brute force the login and access your network.

We highly suggest you turn the two features off.