Millions of Americans have been forced to work from home since the COVID-19 pandemic hit – a thought most had limited or no experience with at the time. Even though many workers have returned to the workplace, a recent University of Chicago study indicated that 72% want to continue working from home at least two days a week, and 32% want it to be permanent. In today’s new reality, it is just as important for your home to be protected from cyber threats as it is for your office to be protected from cyber threats.
Almost every apartment for rent in Chesapeake, VA, or home today is connected to the internet by a network of devices such as computers, gaming systems, TVs, tablets, and smartphones, including computers and gaming systems. With the right tools in place, you can give your family members the confidence to use the internet securely and safely for personal and work-related purposes.
Three steps households can take to protect themselves from cyber-attacks better are listed below:
1. Router Security
A wireless router is a very convenient and simple way to allow multiple devices to connect to the internet from different locations. However, unless you have a secure router, there is a possibility that someone can access the information on your computer and use it to commit a cybercrime on your network. The router is vulnerable to attack if it is not protected, so all wireless devices connected are at risk.
Your router’s name needs to be changed
Manufacturers assign a default ID called SSID (service set identifier) or ESSID (extended service set identifier). Make sure that you choose a name for your router that is unique to you so that others will not be able to guess it easily.
By changing your router’s name to one that can’t be easily guessed, you can protect your router from hackers. The manufacturer usually assigns the default ID, so changing it to a unique name is easy.
Router password change
Changing your router’s default password is another important step. By leaving the default password in place, hackers will be much more likely to be able to gain access to your network in the future. Make sure you change your router’s password as soon as possible. When you want to secure your home against all types of cyber threats, using unique and strong passwords is an important step that you must take. A strong password should have a minimum of 12 characters, including letters, numbers, and symbols. Words or phrases that are not recognizable are the strongest passwords to use.
Consider security options
You should select a level of security on your router, such as WPA2 if it is available or WPA if not – these are both higher levels of security than WEP.
Create a guest network
A guest network can be set up on some routers so guests can access their network. A second network for guests is a good idea if many guests come to your house. Creating a guest network can also be an excellent idea to connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smart appliances and web-connected cameras since all of these devices can have different vulnerabilities regarding security.
2. Firewalls and security software should be installed on all devices
A firewall prevents unwelcome communication from entering your system while monitoring access attempts. On every computer, there is a software firewall built into Windows. Ensure that it is enabled to take advantage of its protection. You should also ensure that all devices connected to your wireless network have security software installed and updated.
Many gadgets come with automatic update features, so it would be wise for households to ensure that their gadgets are always up to date. You must keep your security software, web browsers, and operating system up-to-date to protect your computer from malware and viruses.
3. Make a backup of all household data.
Users can protect their valuable photos, work, and other digital data by making electronic copies of important files and storing them safely. You can take automatic and manual backups by backing up data on USBs or using cloud software like OneDrive. Backups provide an additional layer of security, regardless.
Conclusion
Keeping your home secure is what you strive for, but are you keeping your home network open to the outside world? In the modern home, various devices are connected to the internet, including computers, gaming systems, televisions, tablets, smartphones, and wearable devices, all of which are connected to the internet.
Regular checks and improvements to the security of these networks should be regularly performed. You can improve your security posture by keeping yourself, your family, and your friends safe from cyber threats. Following these steps will improve your security. You can even protect your data more effectively by regularly reading security advice.
