Wireless networks are a gift to anyone seeking easy connectivity and a quick Wi-Fi connection. But don’t forget that rushing through your network’s setup can have security consequences later. Make sure you’ve addressed these areas, whether it’s for your personal network at home or your business’s, to improve your network security.
- Change your access point or router’s default username and password. Default usernames and passwords for most hardware and software can easily be found online.
- Turn on encryption. All Wi-Fi devices support at least some type of encryption.
- Change your network’s name or SSID from the default. A default name such as “linksys” signals to would-be hackers that your network may be set up incorrectly and therefore vulnerable.
- Enable MAC address filtering so that only approved devices can connect to your network. This may not be desirable for free public Wi-Fi, but it is for any network that connects to your vital infrastructure.
- Enable firewalls. Whether it’s the network router’s firewall or a more advanced firewall solution, make sure that your devices are protected. Your network security depends on a solid foundation, including a firewall.
And don’t forget: Consumer-grade hardware and software (from routers to wireless access points to firewalls) may be good enough for your home network, but they are not always appropriate for business use. If you’re using a router designed for minimal home use in your busy, well-connected corporate office, you could be endangering your network and your data. The same goes for your firewall.
Want to know more about choosing the right hardware and software for optimum performance and security? Get in touch, we’d love to talk!
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