An insecure wifi network is an open invitation to hackers to sneak into your computer, upload viruses, malware, steal your personal data and make a hell of your computer. Securing your wifi network isn’t that difficult. Here are simple steps in securing your Wifi network. You can access all these settings via your router’s administrator panel(refer to your router manual if you need to know how to access administrator panel of your router)

1. Change the Default Username/Password:

Each router comes with a default username and password. The fact is the Logins provided are same for identical model router. If you don’t change the default logins then it is very easy for a hacker to target you network. So you need to change the default password and username to something that is difficult to break.

2. Restrict the Network Mode:

If your computer uses Wifi n or B/G then restrict the mode to only Wifi flavor to prevent unwanted computers to join your network. This can help detect Wifi snoopers especially if you use the N standard.

3. Change the Default SSID:

The SSID is the name of your network. It reveals the name of the office or home giving the hackers to detct your location easily. Change the SSID to some random name or stop the broadcast of the SSID name entirely.

4. Enable the Router’s Firewall:

Many users don’t even know that their router has a built in firewall. Usually routers use SPI(Stateful Packet Inspector) which reviews the data entering into the network. This keeps your network from being pinged or detected by other users over the internet.

5. Position the router appropriately:

The router has no knowledge where the boundaries of your house ends and where the neighbor’s start. So you should place the router or access point at a place where it will not leak signals to places outside your house. You should try placing it at the center of your house rather than near windows or doors.

6. Turn Off the Router when not needed:

When your going out for a long time or you are not going to use the network for a long period of time then you should turn of the router to minimize the risk of being hacked.

7. Turn the Internet Off when not required:

When you are using the network for sharing of local files only then you should turn off the ADSL/Cable Modem or unplug the ISP’s wire from the router.

8.Update the router’s firmware:

Installing the updated firmware of the router can be useful if the security features are enhanced. So keep an eye on the manufacturer’s website to check the new releases of the firmware.

9. Change the default IP Address:

Most of the routers have the default IP address which is 192.168.1.1. You can change this to something like 192.168.xxx.xxx. This can be effective to keep the intruders away.

10. Turn on the Encryption:

All Wifi Systems support some form of encryption. If you don’t encrypt the messages it becomes easy for the hackers to detect the information that is sent through. The old encryption standard WEP can be easily hacked, so you should upgrade your encryption standard to WPA2.

11.Enable MAC Filtering:

MAC(Medium Access Control) Address is the unique physical address for any network which the router can use to authenticate it. Enable MAC filtering to allow or block a particular computer from the network, although the professional hackers can use softwares to easily fake the MAC Address.

12. Scan the signal Leaks:

Try using your wifi network outside your house by using a laptop or any wifi enabled device. If you can use your network then anyone else can also use your network. You can also decrease the power of your Wifi signal so that signals remain confined to your home.

There you are, if you follow these simple steps, you can easily run a secure wifi home network.