Network Security-Simple Steps to Secure Wi-Fi

If first question that comes to your mind while reading the topic of this article is ‘Why I need to protect my Wi-Fi??’, then read below some of the major risks associated with unsecured wifi.

What are the risks of using an unsecured wireless network?

In simple language it is like going for a trip without locking your house. Anyone one can enter your house anytime and do anything as per his wish.

Your connection can be enjoyed by anyone for free and please consider yourself lucky if intruders are your neighbours with intention to save some bucks  as it may cost you only some additional bandwidth charges and at the most  slowing down your surfing speed. However, if your connection is used for illegal downloading of music, movie or pornography, the result could be more serious.

And if you are damn unlucky, you will be the chosen one, whose unsecured internet connection can be used to commit crimes of serious level. A criminal who does not want to be caught can use your unsecured internet connection to commit crimes because when it is traced back to the source, your connection will be reported as the scene of the crime.

You may refer below standard clause in your contract with ISP:

CONTENT RESPONSIBILITY AND INTERNET SERVICE USE RESTRICTIONS

Client acknowledges and agrees that it is solely responsible for the Content of its transmissions which pass through the Internet Connection Service. Client also agrees it will not use the Internet Connection Service:

1. for illegal purposes;
2. to transmit threatening, obscene or harassing materials, or
3. to interfere with or disrupt other network users, network services or network equipment.

In nutshell, you are responsible for activities done through your connection.

Also, once an intruder enters your network, they can have access to your data/records and they can also spy your online activities.

So now, please note that, below mentioned steps are much much easier to implement than to defend your innocent self in court of law (:-

The good news is that it is very simple to make your WI-FI connection secure, which will prevent others from stealing your internet and will also prevent hackers from taking control of your computers.

Below are some simple steps to surf safely:

(1)Take control of your Router through unique password:

Step 1: Login to your wireless router.

Open Internet Explorer and type in the address http://192.168.0.1 or  http://192.168.1.1 (By default, most router will have 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 as the default Router IP address. This is the address you would enter into your browser’s address bar to access the router configuration page.)

Not able to access through http://192.168.0.1  or http://192.168.1.1.  No need to worry. We will manually find your Router’s Address:

-Go to Start

-search for CMD

-give command ‘ipconfig’

-Default Gateway is your Router’s IP Address.

 

Now login to your router. What??. You don’t have user ID and password??.  Don’t worry. I do have you credentials (provided you have not changed it earlier)

Your user ID and password should be:

Five Characters.  All small. 1^st alphabet then 4^th alphabet then 13^th alphabet then 12^th alphabet then 14^th alphabet

Making it simple for you:

User ID	admin
Password	admin

OR

User ID	admin
Password (blank)

If it’s not working for you, please google for default user ID/password for your router/service provider.

Step 2: Change your USER ID and Password immediately.

-Go to settings

-User Settings

-Update your New Credentials

(2) MAC Filtering:

Every Machine (PC/Laptop/Mobiles) has a unique identification number. That is known as Media Access Control (MAC) address. So through this control, you allow access to only selected devices. Any other device trying to access you network will be rejected by your router.

Step 1: Indentify MAC addresses of your all devices.

Now question arises how to identify MAC address of your machine.

MAC of PC/Laptop:

-Go to Start

-search for CMD

-give command ‘getmac’

-Physical Address is your MAC address.

MAC of Mobile:

-Go to Settings.

-Select ‘About Device’ (About Phone)

-Select Status.

-Scroll down to Wi-Fi MAC Address to see your MAC Address.

Step 2: Update all the MAC addresses for which you want access:

Go to Settings/Security/MAC Filter/Enable MAC Address Filtering and update MAC addresses for which you want access.

You can also use Black-list to specifically reject some MAC addresses.

(3) Disable SSID:

SSID is kind of floating of RFP (Request for Proposal). You can name it RFH (Request for Hacking).  A Service Set Identifier (SSID) is the wireless network name broadcast by a router and it is visible for all wireless devices. When a wireless device searches the area for wireless networks it will detect the SSID.

I don’t see any need for such open broadcast unless you want to promote your Wi-Fi (in case of hotel/restaurant/lounge/mall etc). To disable broadcast go to Wi-Fi Profiles and look for SSID Broadcast and select Disable option

(4) Enable Encryption:

Encryption helps to scrambles the information we send through wireless network into a code so that it’s difficult for other to access. Using encryption is the effective way to secure your network from intruders.

Two main types of encryption are available for this purpose: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). WPA 2 is the strongest encryption standard for wireless connection as on today.

(5) Monitor Your Network:

There are many wireless network monitoring tools available in the market. Some of them are free and very much reliable. Netcut and whoisonmywifi are reliable one. Through such tool you can monitor and see and do easy analysis for devices joining and exiting your network. It helps to keep your WiFi safe, secure, and running smoothly.

Please note that all the screenshots/paths have been explained considering Reliance Pro 3 wifi connection. If you have any other service provider, there may be slight changes in setting parameters.

Please do write in case of any query/concerns/suggestions.

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