Your network can easily be hacked, hence it is absolutely necessary to secure your network.
Most households now run networks of devices linked to the internet, including computers, phones, tablets, gaming systems which are all connected to the wireless Wi-Fi network. Unless your router is secure, you are vulnerable to people accessing information from your computer, using your internet service for free and potentially using your network to commit crimes.
Change the name of your router
The default id is set by the manufacturer. Change the id to something that is uniquely you and cannot be guessed by anyone else.
Change the pre-set passphrase on your router
Keeping a default passphrase unchanged is not the ideal thing to do. You must change it as soon as possible. Focus on positive sentences that are 12 characters long. Use a guest passphrase, if you have visitors at home.
Review security options
While choosing security options, opt for WPA2 or WPA if available. These are more secure than WEP options.
Use a firewall
Firewalls help keep hackers from using your device to send out your personal information without your permission. While antivirus software scans incoming email and files, a firewall is like a guard, watching for attempts to access your system and blocking communications with sources you don’t permit. Your operating system and/or security software likely comes with a pre-installed firewall, but make sure you turn on these features.
Back-up your data
One of the most important things to do is back-up your data. That way, even if your device is compromised, you still have your data to yourself. If you are a small business, this is even more essential because the longer you delay this, the more money you will lose.
Encrypt your data
Encryption isn’t the monopoly of geeks and mathematicians anymore. Both Apple and Microsoft have specific software which comes with hard drives of the computer. That way, your data will not be accessible to everyone, apart from maybe government authorities who demand to see it.
Render your old hard drives ‘unreadable’
When you change computers, make sure you render the earlier used hard drives as unreadable. Once you have backed up your data and transferred files elsewhere, use software to wipe the disk clean. Destroy old disks and computer tapes.
Delete or overwrite cloud back-up
Deleting is not enough. In most cases, deleted files can be easily recovered by a professional hacker. The only way to ensure your old data is gone is to overwrite it. Also, delete means delete from cloud. If you are using to store on cloud, remember to delete stuff you don’t want to remain there forever.
