Given that a large number of people use a router to connect to the web, chances are that maybe you using a router at home to access the Internet. While you must be aware of a host of cybersecurity threats that you are exposed to while you browse the Internet, but are you aware that your router can be at risk too? Are you sure your router is completely safe from vulnerabilities?<\/p>\n
Before we proceed, please take a minute and answer these questions:<\/p>\n
If you have answered \u2018No\u2019 to any of the above questions, your router must be not secure. Don\u2019t worry, its not only you, for most end-users, routers<\/a> routinely remain untouched.<\/p>\n Why is your router\u2019s security so important? <\/strong><\/p>\n Routers are a central point<\/a> for connecting these devices to the Internet and hence are highly vulnerable. In this connected environment, cyberattacks can cause chaos and a loss of privacy \u2013 for example, an attack on a router could give an attacker access to a connected security camera and offer a live feed of the household.<\/p>\n The threat is even more pronounced when you consider that this is the decade of the Internet of Things<\/a> (IoT). Internet-connected devices are now becoming ubiquitous in households and they range from smart lights & fans, refrigerators to security cameras, baby monitors, etc.<\/p>\n Ways to keep routers secure<\/strong><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a list of recommendations on how to configure your router to make your home router secure.<\/p>\n 1. Change the default passwords<\/strong><\/p>\n Always remember to change the default password of the router. Here\u2019s how to change the password.<\/p>\n 1. Enter your router\u2019s IP address on your browser. You can look for it at the back of your device or on the user guide that comes with the box. It will be something like this http:\/\/192.168.0.1\/login.htm<\/p>\n 2. Enter your user id and password. Generally, the default user id is \u2018admin\u2019 and the password is \u2018password\u2019 for most routers. You can check the back of the device to verify it once.<\/p>\n 3. Once logged in, visit the settings tab. Click on Change Password<\/p>\n 4. Enter your username and old password, and then set a new password of your choice<\/p>\n 5. Click Save\/Modify depending on your router<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2. Set strong passwords and change them regularly<\/strong><\/p>\n Just changing the default password won\u2019t do. You should ensure that you set a password that is strong and then implement a routine where the password of your router is changed regularly.<\/p>\n To change your password, follow these steps.<\/p>\n 1. Enter your router\u2019s IP address on your browser.\u00a0You can look for it at the back of your device or on the user guide that comes with the box.<\/p>\n 2. Enter your user id and password.<\/p>\n 3. Once logged in, visit the settings tab. Click on Change Password<\/p>\n 4. Enter your username and old password, and then set a new password of your choice<\/p>\n 5. Click Save\/Modify depending on your router<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3. Change the name of your Wi-Fi network (SSID)<\/strong><\/p>\n To increase the security of your router and your Wi-Fi network, ensure you give the network a unique name so that it is hard to decipher. Here\u2019s how you can do it.<\/p>\n 1. Enter the router\u2019s IP address in your browser\u2019s address bar. You can look for it at the back of your device or on the user guide that comes with the box.<\/p>\n 2. Enter your login and password.<\/p>\n 3. On the router settings page, go to Wireless<\/p>\n 4. On the specified table, enter a name for your network.<\/p>\n 5. Click Save\/Apply<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4. Hide your network<\/strong><\/p>\n Hiding your Wi-Fi network is a great way to prevent router fraud. Log into your router\u2019s settings and untick the relevant \u201cBroadcast\u201d option to hide your network. Here\u2019s how you can do it.<\/p>\n 1. Enter the router\u2019s IP address in your browser\u2019s address bar. You can look for it at the back of your device or on the user guide that comes with the box<\/p>\n 2. Enter your login and password.<\/p>\n 3. On the router settings page, go to Wireless \u2192 Wireless Basics<\/p>\n 4. Uncheck the Enable SSID Broadcast checkbox.<\/p>\n 5. Click Save\/Apply<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5. Enable encryption<\/strong><\/p>\n An unencrypted network makes it easier for your personal data to be intercepted. If you have the option of encrypting your data on your home network through WEP, WPA, TKIP, WPA2, etc, take the option and enable it. You will need to log in to your router settings to enable this. Here\u2019s how to do it.<\/p>\n 1. Enter the router\u2019s IP address in your browser\u2019s address bar. You can look for it at the back of your device or on the user guide that comes with the box<\/p>\n 2. Enter your login and password.<\/p>\n 3. Click on Wireless \u2192 Wireless Basics<\/p>\n 4. On the Security Options tab select WPA-PSK\/WPA2-PSK AES from the drop-down menu<\/p>\n 5. Click Save\/Apply<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6. Disable WPS if you have it<\/strong><\/p>\n Most security experts agree that Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) opens your router and in extension, your Wi-Fi connection to greater risk. It is a good idea to disable this feature on your router. Here\u2019s how you can do it.<\/p>\n 1. Enter the router\u2019s IP address in your browser\u2019s address bar. You can look for it at the back of your device or on the user guide that comes with the box<\/p>\n 2. Enter your login and password.<\/p>\n 3. Click on Wireless \u2192 Advanced Wireless Settings<\/p>\n 4. On the WPS settings tab uncheck the Enable WPS checkbox<\/p>\n 5. Click Save\/Apply<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 7. Ensure no remote access is granted<\/strong><\/p>\n Remote access to your router opens up a pathway to a malicious actor wanting to gain access to your Wi-Fi connection. It might even happen covertly without the knowledge of the end-user, until the end of the billing cycle! To ensure this doesn\u2019t happen, disable any remote access feature that came with the router.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 8. Enable a Firewall <\/strong><\/p>\n A firewall is required to prevent unauthorized access to your Internet connection. Quick Heal Internet Security\u2019s<\/a> Firewall keeps your PC safe against external threats by blocking threats that may arise within networks that are connected to the system.<\/p>\n