Smart homes increase functionality, and many homeowners turn to various handy gadgets to make staying at your house feel like an interactive sci-fi experience. However, your cameras, smart speaker microphones, and smart plugs may be entry points to your entire system if left unsupervised. Connecting your house to the internet comes with various benefits, especially if you’re working from home. Nonetheless, it can also bring trouble.
To prevent unauthorized access to your network, files, and data, you need to rely on excellent home network protection. We’re talking about robust antivirus software, regular system backup, enhanced router protection, and more.
To give you a head start against virtual intruders, here are some of the best practices to keep your home network secure from outside access.
Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
Upon installation, most routers don’t offer the highest security level. They’d come without a set password or a weak one (like “admin”, “123456789”), making it easy for hackers to infiltrate devices connected to your Wi-Fi network. So, firstly, make sure to create a unique, solid password for your router.
Additionally, some routers have brand-and-model-specific default names. You can consider changing the Service Set Identifier (SSID) to cover your router’s make and model and thus make it harder for hackers to exploit any possible known router weaknesses.
Furthermore, you can use a network scanner service to monitor the people using your network at all times. To top it off, make sure to replace outdated routers every once in a while.
Implement Strong Passwords
We mentioned passwords in the last section, but your router is not the only one that benefits from a strong passcode. Stellar home network protection includes securing all possible devices, services, and accounts in your house or apartment. Using the same password for multiple devices and accounts is more comfortable to remember, but it’s also highly exploitable. Should someone breach one account, they’d suddenly gain access to your whole system.
It’s essential to keep all login credentials unique. The easiest way to do that is to use a random password generator and a password manager to remember the codes for you. Besides, you can implement two-factor authentication to back up your strong passwords. Combining a reliable password with a code sent via text message or an authentication app will make it even harder for hackers to compromise your home network.
Keep Software Updated
Here, by “software,” we mean all active apps, firmware, firewalls, Internet-of-Things (IoT) gadget drivers, antivirus, and backup data solutions. Some companies initiate automatic updates on their software, but others require manual updates frequently.
Updates, especially manual ones, may be irritating for many people, but they often provide bug fixes and upgraded security tools to fight off hacking attempts.
Backup Your Data
Sometimes, even the most optimized systems fall victim to a hacker attack or a hard drive crash. If you keep sensitive data on your devices (personal details, financial info, work documents), you may consider using system backup antivirus software.
Modern-day backup solutions often offer cloud storage, multi-layered cyber protection in real-time, various backup options, and easy file management, all operated via an intuitive interface. Although local backup services are excellent for casual users, a full-on cloud service takes home network protection to another level. Storing all essential information outside of your system enables easy recovery, even if your devices’ data is compromised or corrupted.
Additionally, with the proper cybersecurity provider, you’d get antivirus, anti-ransomware, and crypto-jacking protection. What is more, most reliable cyber protection companies offer high-end encryption (usually, AES-256), cyber threat monitoring, smart alerts, and an array of customizable backup options.
Optimize Your Devices Volume
First off, consider the benefit-to-risk of every connected device within your network. A smart-everything is convenient, but a Youtube-connected fridge may not be worth the potential entry point for attackers. Optimizing your device count makes monitoring easier and minimizes the risk of exposure to hackers. To go a step further, you can unplug devices you won’t be using when out of town.
Naturally, security cameras, video doorbells, and the thermostat can stay active at all times. However, you can give speakers, vacuums, and smart cleaning gadgets a break until you’re back home.
All in all, sensible home network protection requires some thought and effort, but keeping your system safe is well worth it.