How To Secure Your Office Wi-Fi Network
Wi-Fi Network security is very important for all kinds of businesses and individuals using Wi-Fi for the purposes of internet access and sharing. Anyone or business using Wi-Fi must take the security of the Wi-Fi Network seriously. Negligence of security and lack of security may eventually lead to Data Loss or Financial Loss through confidential exposure or stolen from the user’s device in the network.
Wi-Fi is a wireless network technology that connects devices with the help of a wireless router for internet sharing and network connection purposes. To make a secure Wi-Fi network, each and every computer in the network must be secured separately before connecting them to the network. Basic PC security configuration and application must be applied on the computer, i.e: Installation of Antivirus / Malware, Turning on the PC Firewall, and Internet VPN could also be used if the PC is using the internet, especially through a new public or untrusted public Wi-Fi network.
Below is detailed information to Secure Your Office Wi-Fi Network:
1. Change your wireless router’s default username and password
Almost every wireless router comes with default user information that allows users to log in to access the router control panel. It is very important to change these default credentials during the first login.
2. Update your Router Firmware
Every router has an inbuilt configurable software called Firmware which one could use for controlling and managing the network. It is recommended to know How to upgrade Firmware periodically. Information for the updates is usually available on the manufacturer’s website.
3. Enable the Firewall on the Router
To ensure real-time monitoring of a network, security software like Firewall could help stop or alert forms of incoming traffic. Ensure the firewall is on the router and access points are enabled or use a PC inbuilt Firewall, i.e: Microsoft Windows inbuilt Firewall or a Third-party firewall for PC.
4. Change or Hide your Default Network name known as SSID
It is also a great idea if network ID is hidden, this idea is to hide networks from the public not to discover they are existing. The first step hackers take to hack a wireless network is to Scan for visible SSID. There are many Wireless Hacking Tools that could discover SSID despite that is it already hidden from the public and other wireless devices through the router configuration.
5. Use WPA2 encryption protocol when configuring Wi-Fi password
Securing Wi-Fi requires an encryption protocol as a password used to secure a Wi-Fi network. WPA2 protocol is the latest, recommended, and secure encryption used today, WEP is the older and previously used encryption protocol while WPA3 is a newly launched protocol but not yet popular.
6. Turn Off WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is designed for pairing a device with an encrypted network as simple as pushing a WPS button on the router. If WPS is turned on, it is easy for anyone to connect and have an access router.
7. Turn on Mac Address Filtering on the Router to protect Wi-Fi Network from an unauthorized device
Mac Address Filtering is the application of the Device’s MAC addresses on the router. Mac addresses are applied directly in the Mac Address Filtering configuration to prevent the unlisted devices from connecting to the access point.
Wi-Fi Network attacker motive may include:
Disruption of Network Connection and Communication
Stealing of Confidential Information from Network User
Spying or Information Gathering
Stealing or Destruction of Data