With many people now working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, now is the optimal time to ensure that your home network is safe and secure.
Most households nowadays have a host of appliances that connect to the internet, such as TVs, smart home devices, printers, mobile phones and personal computers. Having a secure network, therefore, is very important, especially if you’re going to be doing work at home: if your home network is compromised, hackers could have access to business information. Here are some of the best steps you can take to secure your home network.
Strong Password
Although your router comes with a pre-set password, it is a good idea to change it as leaving the default password can make access fair easier. The password should be complex, meaning at least 12 characters with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. It is also a good idea to change your Wi-Fi password regularly and to be wary of whom you give the password out to.
Network Encryption
You should be using WAP2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2), preferably with AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) as your Wi-Fi protection. This is the most secure encryption standard currently available. WPA2 is an upgrade of WPA and replaces the older, less secure WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). Encrypting your network is the most effective way to secure your network and protect your information.
Firewalls
A strong firewall is an important factor in cyber defence. A firewall is a network security device which monitors your network traffic and protects it from viruses and malicious code. It can also stop users from accessing certain external sites. Your router may already come with a firewall, so just ensure that it is enabled. Having a hardware firewall will add an extra layer of security.
Antivirus Software
Installing anti-virus software is a non-negotiable when it comes to defending your network. However, many people fail to keep their anti-virus software updated which can be the cause of cyber-attacks. Hackers are becoming smarter every day, finding new ways to violate your network and deploy viruses. Keeping your anti-virus software updated is critical to ensuring that you have the best technology protecting your home network.
Keep Software Updated
Outdated software and operating systems will not have the same level of security as up to date versions. For example, if you are still using Windows 7, you will have far inferior protection compared to those using Windows 10. Taking the time to update your software means that you always have access to the newest, strongest security features available.
Cardonet can provide you with a comprehensive range of cyber security services to help you stay secure and, at the same time, help you demonstrate compliance with industry and regulatory standards. To find out more about our Cyber Security Services, please click here.
If you are concerned about cyber-attacks and how it could affect your business, call us on +44 203 034 2244 or +1 323 984 8908 Alternately, you can contact us online. We will be happy to help you overcome your IT challenges. Cardonet have been working with businesses for the past twenty years to help them overcome their technological challenges. We have engineering bases in the United Kingdom, Europe and Southern California and our group of highly experienced engineers are available 24/7 to assist and ensure that your IT infrastructure is secure and running seamlessly.
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