Securing your home network

Most households now run networks of devices linked to the internet, including computers, gaming systems, TVs, tablets, smartphones and wearable devices that access wireless networks. To protect your home network and your family, you need to have the right tools in place and confidence that family members can use the internet more safely and securely.

The first step is to keep a clean machine and make sure all of your internet-enabled devices have the latest operating system, web browsers and security software. This includes mobile devices that access your wireless network.

Secure Your Wireless Router

A wireless network means connecting an internet access point – such as a cable or DSL modem – to a wireless router. Going wireless is a convenient way to allow multiple devices to connect to the internet from different areas of your home. However, unless you secure your router, you’re vulnerable to people accessing information on your computer, using your internet service for free and potentially using your network to commit cybercrimes.

Here are ways to secure your wireless router:

• Keep your router up to date: Applying software updates to your router helps protect it from hackers. Unpatched routers are often abused to attack other computers on the internet or to redirect you to fraudulent sites.
• Check with your router manufacturer whether automatic updates are enabled or if they must be applied manually.
• Change the administrator password on your router: Leaving a default password unchanged makes it much easier for hackers to access your network. You should change it as soon as possible.
• Enable encryption and set a strong network password: When choosing your router’s level of security, opt for WPA2 – this is more secure than the WEP or WPA option.
• Create a guest passphrase: Some routers allow for guests to use networks via separate guest passphrases. If you have many visitors to your home, it is a good idea to set up a guest network.
• 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.

Protect yourself with these STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tips:

• Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser and operating system is the best defense against viruses, malware and other online threats.

• Protect all devices that connect to the internet: Along with computers, smartphones, gaming systems and other web-enabled devices also need protection from viruses and malware.

• Plug & scan: USBs and other external devices can be infected by viruses and malware. Use your security software to scan them.

• Protect your $$: When banking and shopping, check to be sure the sites is security enabled. Look for web addresses with “https://,” which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information. “Http://” is not secure.

• Back it up: Protect your valuable work, music, photos and other digital information by making electronic copies of your important files and storing them safely.