We all have a device at home that connects to the internet. Whether it be a personal computer, IOT device, or a TV streaming device. Here we will outline the steps on a granular level to help protect your network at home. Let’s say you just bought a brand-new laptop, powered it on and entered your Wi-Fi password. But let’s start with your router. If you bought your own router, the first thing you’d want to do is change the default SSID, which stands for Service Set Identifier. Hackers can get into your network by identifying the routers brand through its default SSID along with not changing the default password.
Setting up an Administrative Account
If they are multiple users on one computer, consider creating one administrative account and multiple local accounts as standard users for each person using the computer. This will prevent changes being made to the Operating System that is not authorized and could possibly make the network vulnerable.
Updates and Malware Protection
Keeping your Operating System current is also very important. Updates resolve security flaws, add new security features, fix frustrating bug issues and improve overall performance for devices. You can change your settings to automatic updates and reboot every week. Having malware protection is another key factor in protecting your device from hackers. Malware software can detect malicious files, warn you of suspicious websites, scan your computer for viruses, and block attacks in real-time.
Backing up Data and Blocking Spying
Recovery solutions are crucial for businesses but also paramount to home networks as well. Consider purchasing an external hard drive to back up your data. This will come in handy in case your system crashes or your Operating system needs to be wiped clean. If you are using Webcams, these should be turned off when not in use and microphones of any kind should be muted. Bad actors can hack your system and take control of these input devices and spy on you visually and listen to important conversations that may disclose sensitive information.