Because of the increasingly interconnected nature of our society today, having access to WiFi becomes an absolute necessity in our daily life. WiFi networks are extremely important to us for a variety of reasons, including communication, work, and enjoyment. On the other hand, because there are now more gadgets than ever before that can connect to WiFi, the potential for cyberattacks has also grown. In this post, we will talk about the misconceptions and truths surrounding WiFi security, as well as the actions that you can take to make your network safer.
Myth: Your WiFi network will be more secure if you conceal the SSID.
One of the most widespread misconceptions regarding WiFi security is the idea that concealing the SSID (Service Set Identifier) will make the network safer. The SSID, or service set identifier, is the name of your WiFi network that is broadcast to other devices so that they may connect to it. It may seem like a good idea to hide the SSID as a security measure, but this is not an effective method because the SSID may still be found by an attacker who possesses the appropriate tools.
Use the WPA2 encryption protocol.
Utilizing encryption software known as WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access II) is going to be the most successful strategy for protecting your WiFi network. The information that is sent from one device to another on your network is protected by the WPA2 security protocol, which encrypts the data. It employs an encryption algorithm that is more robust than the preceding WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) protocol, and as a result, it is regarded as the most secure encryption technology that is currently available.
Myth: Filtering MAC addresses is an effective way to ensure network security
One of the more widespread misconceptions concerning WiFi security is the idea that filtering MAC (Media Access Control) addresses is an efficient form of security. The process of restricting access to your network based on the MAC addresses of devices is referred to as MAC address filtering. However, since MAC addresses are so easy to fake, this particular precaution against security breaches is useless.
Use secure passwords, it’s a fact.
Using a password that is difficult to guess is one of the most critical things you can take to ensure the safety of your WiFi network. A secure password should be lengthy, difficult to guess, and comprised of a combination of capital and lowercase letters, digits, and special characters. It is best to steer clear of utilizing words that are commonly known, such as “password” or “123456,” as these are simple to figure out and can be broken rapidly.
Myth: It is not required to keep the firmware on your router updated.
There is a widespread misconception that it is not important to keep the firmware on their routers updated, but this is not the case. Routing device manufacturers routinely offer security updates that fix previously discovered flaws in their products. It is essential to ensure that your network is secured against the most recent threats and that you keep the firmware on your router up to current at all times.
Enabling encryption on the network is a fact.
Utilizing a Virtual Private Network, also known as a VPN, or HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, also known as HTTPS, in order to encrypt the data that travels over your WiFi network is an efficient method of ensuring its safety. Encryption shields the information you send over the internet from snooping eyes and makes it impossible for criminals to read it in transit.
Myth: Turning off remote administration is pointless if you don’t need to.
Disabling remote administration is yet another step that the majority of people consider to be superfluous; yet, doing so is an essential safety precaution. In spite of the fact that remote administration makes it possible for you to control your router from a separate place, it also serves as a portal through which fraudsters can access your network. If you turn off remote administration, it will be impossible for unauthorized users to access your network.
Conclusion
Anyone who utilizes wireless networks should give significant thought to the topic of WiFi security. Even if there are a lot of urban legends about WiFi security, it is absolutely crucial to get the facts straight and then take the required precautions to keep your network safe. Some of the most effective techniques to protect your WiFi network include using strong passwords, utilizing WPA2 encryption, encrypting your network, keeping the firmware on your router up to date, and turning off remote administration. You will be able to reap the benefits of WiFi without having to worry about being vulnerable to cyberattacks if you follow these measures.