Wireless network security is of paramount importance. Data breaches and other cyberthreats are more likely now than ever before. Due to the widespread use of mobile devices and the increasing popularity of public Wi-Fi hotspots.
These 12 recommended practices are critical for keeping your devices and data safe from hostile actors. Even if there are more ways to safeguard a wireless network.
1. Making Two-Factor Authentication Available (2FA)
If you’re worrying about the safety of your online accounts. Two-factor authentication is a great way to provide yourself an extra safety net. Users need to provide not just a login and password. But also a code created by a third-party authenticator software. This makes it harder for an intruder to enter the network without authorization.
Open the wireless router’s settings page and turn on the two-factor authentication option. Make sure you have an authenticator app on your device. Such Google Authenticator or Authy, ready to use at login time.
Password less authentication methods, such as cloud radius, are another option for further security. This is a recommendation procedure since if your password is stolen, the thief will be able to access your system. The usage of a cloud-based solution ensures that only approved users may connect to your network.
2. Having a secure password
An essential best practice for protecting a wireless network is to use a complex password. Passwords that combine upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. And at least eight characters long are considered to be quite secure. To maintain the highest level of security, passwords should be updated often.
3. Information Encryption!
The use of encryption is also recommending for protecting wireless networks. Information can be encrypt so that it is read only by those who have the key to decode it. This aids in preventing unauthorized parties from gaining access to private data.
The usage of encryption software, hardware, or services are all viable options for putting encryption into practice. Make sure everyone in the company understands the significance of data encryption. And has the skills necessary to encrypt information securely.
4. Turning off SSID broadcast
For wireless network safety, it is recommended that the broadcast of the network’s SSID be turned off. Anyone in range of a wireless network may see the network’s name when SSID broadcast is turned on. A wireless router’s SSID broadcast capability may be turned off. By going into the router’s setup page and selecting the appropriate option.
The objective is to prevent unauthorized users from easily connecting to the system. While an SSID sniffer can still reveal the network name, its visibility will be reducing.
5. Use of MAC Address Filtering
MAC filtering is the other recommendation method for protecting a wireless network. When a device connects to a network, it is given a Media Access Control, or MAC, address.
Take a look at firstworldneeds.com to know more about MAC address filtering.
You may assist prevent unwanted access to your network. By restricting network access to only certain devices by using a MAC address list. Accessing the wireless router’s setup page and entering the MAC addresses of permitting devices is how MAC filtering is performed.
6. Adopting WPA3 Security
Wireless network security recommended practices also include turning on WPA3 encryption. We recommend using WPA3, the newest and also most highly secure security standard. It’s recommended that you switch to this security protocol. Whenever feasible because it’s more secure than WPA2.
Make sure you search for routers that use this cutting-edge safety measure before making a purchase. It is crucial to ensure that WPA3 is active, as earlier protocols were far simpler to crack.
7. Connecting Through a Virtual Private Network
Using a virtual private network (VPN) is also recommend for protecting wireless networks. A virtual private network (VPN) makes it harder for an outsider to eavesdrop on a connection. By encrypting all data sent between a gadget and the VPN server. This is especially crucial when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. As their security is typically worse than that of private networks. Make sure your staff is aware of the need of utilizing a VPN. When working from home, and only use VPNs from reputable suppliers.
8. Turning Off Central Management.
Another precaution you may take to secure your wireless network is to turn off remote administration. If the router is set up for remote administration. Anyone with the right credentials may log in and make modifications to the network settings. It’s possible for hackers or other malicious actors to exploit this. To obtain access to the network, which is a major security issue. Disabling remote administration on a wireless network may be done using the router’s administrative page. Unauthorized users will be less likely to be able to access the network as a result of this measure.
9. Modifying the Default Password
It is recommending that the default password for a wireless network change. The default password on many routers is simple to crack. To put it simply, this is a possible security concern. Since it might allow the network to be access by those who shouldn’t have it.
Change the default password by going to the wireless router’s setup page and entering a new, more secure password. Create a secure password that is at least eight characters long. And mixes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
10. Use Firewall
The use of a firewall is also recommend for protecting a wireless network. In order to prevent useless data from entering the network, a firewall is installed. When it comes to protecting against malware and other forms of dangerous software, this can be crucial.
If your wireless router offers a firewall, you may turn it on using the router’s settings page. Firewalls can be either network-based or host-based. Firewalls that protect a whole network are more common in corporate settings. Whereas host-based firewalls are more commonly installing on personal computers.
11. Incapable of UPnP!
There is a system called Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) that facilitates the seamless discovery and interconnection of electronic gadgets. There is a risk of having the network penetrating by devices that shouldn’t be there. UPnP may be turning off by going into the settings of the wireless router and turning it off there. Disabling UPnP on specific gadgets is also possible via the settings’ menu.
12. Activating Only Necessary Services
Many pre configured routers have extraneous features that you’ll never use. These might pose a threat to the security of the network. Since the information they contain could be used by intruders. Disabling unused features requires accessing the wireless router’s settings page and selecting the feature you wish to disable. As a result, the network’s vulnerability to attack will decrease. Telnet, Secure Shell (SSH), and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) are all examples of often useless services.
Conclusion
To prevent assaults on the network, it is crucial to implement certain best practices for wireless network security. You can make it harder for hackers to access the network. If you disable unused services, don’t use the default password, and use two-factor authentication.
Keep in mind that the Internet speed and Network security may be increase by employing a firewall and turning off UPnP. You can assist guarantee the safety of your wireless network by adhering to these recommended practices.