Home WiFi Security Should Not Be Taken for Granted

Summary: Tips on how to secure home WiFi and WiFi security for small and midsized businesses (SMBs). Learn about router security, your WiFi’s vulnerabilities and how to prevent network breaches.

Q: What’s the first step for securing home WiFi?

A: Start by changing your router’s default network name and login credentials. Use a non descript name that doesn't reveal your identity or router model, and choose a strong, unique password, ideally one with at least eight characters, upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.

How To Secure Home WiFi

Securing WiFi connections has become a necessity for almost everyone. WiFi networks have become faster and faster, easy to install and reliable. In fact, WiFi has become so reliable that, over time, the average user takes their WiFi signal for granted. Unfortunately, at-home users and SMBs rarely have the budget or cyber security expertise required to secure WiFi correctly. As a result, hackers now consider home networks and small to midsized business networks “low-hanging fruit” for cyberattacks. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to protect your personal or private business data:

• Relocate Your Wireless Router to a Safe Location – Router security starts with placing the router in a secure location that is not easily accessible and preferably locked. Restricting physical access to the router is the first line of WiFi security
• Change Your Network’s Name – Your network name or service set identifier (SSID) is the moniker by which your network will be known to the rest of the cyber world. Often, the router manufacturer's default name will be the router's make and model number. By using the default name, you could be helping hackers identify what kind of router you own, thereby making their attacks a little easier
• Create New Router Login Credentials – Routers come with default names and passwords. You should also change the password when you change your network’s name. Creating a strong, unique password is the equivalent of installing a great lock on the front door of your home. The stronger the password, the more secure your network will be
• Check for and Update Router Firmware and Software – It is good IT protocol when securing WiFi to check for firmware updates for your router regularly. Firmware updates generally address cyber vulnerabilities discovered since the software’s release or previous updates
• Create Separate Network Access Points for Employees vs. Public – It might sound obvious. Still, non-employees mustn't have the same access to your company’s files or private personal data. Therefore, you must set up one access point for authorized individuals and a separate one for guests. Periodically, it is worth scanning your access points to ensure they are all approved and properly configured
• Default Encryption Protocol – WiFi protected access known as WPA3 or WPA2 AES are the most recent default encryption protocols. Older routers might use outdated encryption protocols (WPA, WPA2, WEP), which have become an easy target for hackers. If you are using an old router, you should check the settings and, if necessary, buy a new, up-to-date router.
• Disable WPS – WiFi protected setup (WPS) helps automate the pairing of devices on an encrypted network. With this turnkey program, someone who gains physical access to your router could also breach your network. Unless used by IT experts, the average user should turn off WPS when securing WiFi.

Q: How can I isolate devices and protect against intruders?

A: To maximize home WiFi security, set up a separate guest network for visitors and even a dedicated network segment for internet of things (IoT) devices like smart cameras or speakers. This limits exposure if one device is compromised. Additionally, monitor connected devices frequently, and consider using a VPN for enhanced privacy.

What are the more advanced steps needed to secure WiFI?

Disable WPS – WiFi protected setup (WPS) helps automate the pairing of devices on an encrypted network. WPS was designed for convenience—to let devices connect via a PIN or push-button method. However, the PIN method is flawed, as it splits an eight-digit code into two parts and drastically reduces the possible combinations.

Attackers can use brute-force to break the resulting codes in just a few hours (typically 4–10), which then exposes your WPA/WPA2 passphrase. Worse yet, even when disabled in router interfaces, some devices keep WPS enabled internally, making them endlessly vulnerable. With this turnkey program, someone who gains physical access to your router could also breach your network. Unless used by IT experts, the average user should turn off WPS in order to secure home WiFi.

Q: How can working from home put my business network at risk?

A: When accessing the network over an unsecure WiFi connection, cybercriminals can easily gain access to network files.

Does remote administration and outside access to WiFi create vulnerabilities?

Allowing management of your router from outside your home is risky unless it's secured with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Some routers tie this remote access to UPnP port-forwarding, which creates an external-facing backdoor. UPnP simplifies device connectivity by allowing automatic discovery and configuration, including opening ports for services like streaming or gaming. But this lack of authentication creates risk:

• Port-forwarding abuse: Malware or external attackers can use UPnP to punch holes in your firewall, exposing devices directly to the internet
• Backdoor creation: Malware such as Mirai or QBot exploits UPnP to set up covert access channels or proxy servers for malware distribution, DDoS campaigns, credential theft, and ransomware
• Mass exploitation: Studies have found tens of millions of devices still vulnerable

IT Professionals Can Provide Home Network Service

Knowing how to secure home WiFi is essential. Network Security is too important to be left to chance. Even tech-savvy users would be wise to engage professional IT network services to perform a complete system analysis, including router security and home WiFi security.

The technicians can identify any cyber vulnerabilities, incorrect network configurations and other issues that keep your network from running smoothly and securely. A modest investment in professional IT assistance is a smart way to get your network operating properly from the start. Contact your local IT professional to assess your residential WiFi network security.