How to Secure Your WiFi From Hackers

Securing your Wi-Fi network is as necessary as securing your bank account. The longer you ignore it, the more damage it can do. That's right, your data and devices could be at high risk. A hacker can exploit your device easily if it is not secured with all the preventive measures.

This article has some promising methods to secure your Wi-Fi network from unauthorized users.

Before we move ahead, always follow these rules:

• Keep shuffling your Wi-Fi passwords in every 2-3 months
• Disable Wi-Fi by turning off the router when you're away
• Keep yourself well aware about the basic phishing techniques that hackers use

Best Practice to Prevent Wifi Internet Hacking - 8 Methods

You can prevent Wi-Fi from hacking using the right technique and knowledge only. By using methods like securing WPA encryptions, creating strong passwords and using Firewalls are among some of the most used approaches to follow. Let's break this down to learn further:

1. Use Strong Username & Passwords

This method is considered as a first lineof defense and can prevent from any unauthorized access. Here's how you can achieve:

• You need to change your current WiFi password and mix it with upper case, lower case, symbols, numbers and try to keep it between 12-14 characters. (avoid using common passwords)
• Do no use a sequence, name, or any common phrase as it can be easy to guess. For example: 123456789
• The best practice is to keep changing your Wi-Fi password in every 2-3 months

How to Change Wi-Fi Password?

If you're unsure about changing Wi-Fi password, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Open Web Browser and visit the Router's configuration page

• You can enter the default router address in the address bar i.e. 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1
• Alternatively, press Win + R and type "CMD" type and run this command: "ipconfig"
  • This will display your current router's address

Step 2: Enter the Username and Password

• If you haven't made any changes previously then you can use the default usernam and password which could be "admin", "password" (it may vary depending upon the brand)
• If you've changed password then enter the credentials (current one) along with the user name

Step 3: Navigate to "Wireless Settings" to change the Wifi Password

• If you've successfully logged in, look for "Settings" or "Wireless Settings" tab
  • You're likely to get 2 options, i.e. Security mode (WEP, WPA2, WPA3, etc.) and Change Password
  • Set a combination of strong password (upper, lower case, symbol, numbers, etc.)
  • Once you enter the password, save the changes and Exit

2. Use Strong Encryption Settings

There are generally 4 types of Wi-Fi encryption i.e. WEP, WPA, WPA2, and the latest WPA3 and it's recommended not to use WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) because it's easy to break and any hacker can bypass it within 30 minutes. The Wifi Protected Access or WPA will be the best security for your WiFi Network. You can enable WPA security as an extra layer of security to prevent from any unauthorized access to your Wi-Fi network.

How to Configure WPA encryption on your Router?

It is recommended to use WPA2 or WPA3 (latest) to provide a shied of security in your home WiFi network. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Open Web Browser and Log in to Administrator Page

• You can open browser and type the default address i.e. http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1
• Enter the username and password (if haven't set any then type the default one i.e. "admin", "password")
  • If you've changed either username or password then enter the updated credentials to login the admin panel

Step 2: Go to Wireless Security to Check and Change the Security Settings

• Once you'll successfully login the admin panel, you might see different options. Navigate through Wireless Settings > Security
• You'll now get 2-3 options i.e. Security type, Username, Password (to change)
• Click on security, a drop down must appear, and select the type of security (WPA2 or WPA3)
• Reset your Router's password with a strong combination of alphabets (lower & upper case), symbols, numeric, etc.

Step 3: Save and Exit

• Once you've provided a new password and updated security as discussed, click on Save and Apply.
• Close your browser and reboot you device for changes to take effect.

Method 3: Change Router's Default Login Frequently

Now, if you are thinking providing a Strong Password & Username will help you to Prevent WiFi Hacking, you are daydreaming. It's best to keep a healthy practice of changing the WiFi Password Frequently. Here's what you can do:

• Open any web browser and enter the default router's address i.e. http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1
• Navigate to Wireless Settings > Security (may vary depending on brand)
• You'll likely get 3 options now:
  • Security
  • Username
  • Passkey
• Enter your default username i.e. admin, and password i.e. password, admin, or 1234567890
• Now create a new username and Password with a strong combination of alphabets, numbers, symbols, etc. (up to 12-14 characters)
• Now, click on save and exit the browser.

Method 4: Update and Use Router's Firewall

You can also add an additional layer of security to your WiFi connection by using the built-in Firewall security. Here's how you can enable it:

Note: This is a generic Firewall setup, it may vary on brand that you're using.

• Open your web browser and enter the default router's address i.e. http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 to login the router console.
• Navigate to Firewall Settings from Settings or System Tools or Additional Security.
• Wireless Settings > Security (may vary depending on brand)
• Navigate to Firewall or SPI (stateful packet inspection), or something similar
  • Check for any pending update and follow the on-screen instructions to update the latest patch
• Toggle it to Enable and Apply

Method 5: Enable MAC Address Filtering

This feature will help you to connect only trusted devices of specific MAC address to connect with your Router. Here's how you can enable the MAC filtering:

• Open your web browser and enter the default router's address i.e. http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 to enter login page.
• Enter username and password
• Navigate to Security or Access Control > MAC Filter
• Toggle to turn it on
• Enter the MAC addresses that you wish to allow and click Save and exit.

Method 5: Hide WiFi SSID

Hiding you WiFi name is also one of the best method to secure your WiFi connection. Unless someone sees your WiFi SSID, any attempt to breach cannot be done. Here's what to do:

• Open your web browser and enter the default router's address i.e. http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 to enter the login page.
• Enter Username and Password
• Navigate to Wireless Settings or something similar to that
• Look for an option "hide SSID" and click on it to hide your Wi-Fi name
• Click on Apply and exit the browser. You might need to restart your device for the changes to take effect.

6. Create Guest WiFi Connection

Creating a Guest WiFi enables an extra layer of security in your Wireless connection. In worst case, if your Guest Wifi gets compromised, the hacker won't be able to access to all your devices.

Also, make sure you have put the Strong Encryption WPA there as well. You have to provide a separate Username & Password in that case to make it different from the Main WiFi Connection. This method is one of the best ways to prevent WiFi hacking.

Refer to this article to learn more: How to Enable Guest WiFi?

7. Switch Off the WiFi Router

It is not a good practice to always keep your Wi-Fi Connection open. Constant running WiFi can also affect with loads of Cache Files and might create further issues. So, you have to Turn the WiFi Connection Off when it is not in use. Also, by doing so, you can reduce the chance of your WiFi connection getting compromised.

8. Restrict WiFi Coverage

If you want to protect the WiFi Connection from hackers, you have to make sure that the Connection Coverage of WiFi is not getting outside of the house. The WiFi Router has a large range, in between any place you can access the connection.

So, the best policy will be to place the Wi-Fi Router in the middle of the house. So, that is the WiFi Range is getting outside the room, but still any strong connection point can't be identified.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can definitely secure your WiFi network from any hacker and can be ensured that all your devices are secured. All you need is a healthy practice and keep shuffling passwords as discussed above to keep it safe for a longer time.