Securing your Wi-Fi is an essential first step toward maintaining your personal and professional cyber hygiene. With more devices connecting to the internet than ever before, securing your wireless network helps prevent unauthorised access, data breaches, and cyber threats.
Below are five recommended practices to help keep your Wi-Fi network safer and more resilient:
1. Regularly Update Router Firmware
Many overlook firmware updates, but they often contain critical security patches. Manufacturers regularly release updates to fix vulnerabilities or improve performance. Always check your router’s admin panel or the manufacturer’s website to ensure you’re using the latest firmware version.
2. Change the Default Password
Most routers ship with easily guessable default login credentials. Changing both the administrator login and the Wi-Fi password to something more complex and unique is a simple yet effective way to reduce the risk of unwanted access.
3. Disable Remote Management
Remote management allows external access to your router’s settings. While convenient, it can also be exploited by attackers if left enabled unnecessarily. Disabling this feature limits configuration changes to local access only, providing an added layer of protection.
4. Set Up Guest Networks
Guest networks let you share internet access without exposing your main network and devices. This is especially useful when hosting visitors or using smart home gadgets. Segmenting traffic in this way helps prevent crossover security risks.
5. Enable WPA3 Encryption
WPA3 is the most recent Wi-Fi encryption standard, offering stronger protection for passwords and communications. If your router supports it, enabling WPA3 can significantly improve the privacy and integrity of your wireless network.
Develop Practical Skills with LSET
Understanding basic cybersecurity principles is a great foundation for anyone looking to work in the tech industry. At the London School of Emerging Technology (LSET), students learn through real-life scenarios and guided exercises to build practical knowledge in network security, threat mitigation, and digital resilience. The cybersecurity curriculum introduces learners to fundamental security measures that can be applied at home or in the workplace.