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What to do to fully protect the Wi-Fi router

Therefore, protecting the router is essential. It is important that you take into account certain recommendations that we are going to give you to ensure that the device is protected, in good condition and also ensure that it is maintained over time without problems appearing in the future.

How to stay safe

We can say that there is no single method with which to maintain the wifi router security, but it will be the sum of several that will make the device really protected. The goal will be to make it work as well as possible, prevent intruders and reduce the risk that other devices may be affected.

update firmware

Something very important and that many users overlook is having the updated router firmware. In the same way that we update Windows, the mobile operating system or any installed program, it is also important that the router has the latest versions available.

In this way you will achieve more protected. Sometimes vulnerabilities can arise that can be exploited by hackers to attack. For example, a failure that allows the password to be stolen or attacks to be carried out and stops working. But it’s also important to take advantage of the latest news and features.

Here it should be mentioned that the router can update itself, you may need to enter the settings or you may need to manually download the firmware from the official page and install them. Everything will depend on the exact model you have, so it is best that you inform yourself in that specific case and see what you should do. Generally you will have to enter the router configuration, through the default gateway which is usually 192.168.1.1, go to Settings, System and Firmware update. But this, as we say, can vary depending on the model.

Change factory settings

Another factor to take into account is that it is convenient to change the factory setting. The router usually brings a generic key to access the configuration, a password and name of the Wi-Fi network. Our advice is to change all this, since you will avoid security problems and also privacy.

A clear example is the key to enter the router configuration. It is usually of type 1234 or admin123. It is the same for any router of that model, so an attacker could take advantage of it if they manage to gain access to log in. Therefore, it changes that key, as well as the name of the network. Although changing the SSID doesn’t really improve your security in case an intruder wants to attack you (they can find out by other means) at least from less experienced users you could hide yourself and maintain your privacy if you use a generic name that doesn’t relate to you.

Change router settings

Use strong passwords

The password you choose must be strong. It is not enough to put any key, either for the configuration of the router or for the Wi-Fi network. First, there is the access key to the router. The one that in a generic way is usually very simple. There you must put another password and make sure it is secure.

The same goes for the Wi-Fi password. You should never keep the one that comes from the factory, but you should also choose one that really protects your wireless connection. This is essential to prevent intruders and ensure that the network is fully protected and performs as well as possible.

Now, how should the password be? Ideally, it should have these points that we mentioned:

  • It must be unique and totally random
  • Contain letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and other special symbols
  • A suitable length (the longer it is, the harder it is to find out)

Use current encryption

But it is not enough just to have a good Wi-Fi password, since it is equally essential that you have good encryption. If you use outdated encryption, an attack could exploit it and eventually guess the password. That will make the router unprotected and you should take action as soon as possible.

You should avoid old encryption such as WEP or WPA. The most current are WPA2 and WPA3. However, the latter is not yet compatible with many routers and devices, so it is possible that in your case you cannot use it at the moment. If you have a well-updated router, using WPA 2 encryption is just as secure.

Router with WPA3 encryption

Disable remote administration

One more tip to keep in mind is to disable the remote administration. Some routers allow you to enter the settings from anywhere. You simply take your mobile or computer, enter the credentials and you can change the Wi-Fi password, eject any device that has been connected and, in short, anything you can do if you enter physically.

However, the same thing could be done by an intruder who manages to find out that password to enter. Therefore, if it is something that you are not going to need to use, it is a good idea to deactivate it. You will further increase security and avoid problems.

Disable WPS

WPS is another feature that comes with many routers. It is used to automatically connect to other devices without having to enter the access code. You will see a physical button on the device and, for example, it comes in handy to connect a Wi-Fi repeater easily and quickly. But of course, that has the counterpart of security.

Once again, to fully protect your Wi-Fi router, it’s a good idea. disable WPS function. You will avoid risks and make it more protected. You will have to enter the router configuration and, depending on the model you have, look for the WPS section and deactivate it. Of course, as long as your router has this option.

Tips for guests and other gadgets

After having explained some essential points to protect the Wi-Fi router, we are also going to talk about what we must do to avoid problems if other users are going to connect or even to avoid attacks with other devices that we are going to connect to the network.

Use a guest network

One of the options available to you is create a guest network. What you are going to do is configure a parallel network to your Wi-Fi, with another name and password, to which your guests will be able to connect. In this way you are not going to put at risk the main network, the key that you are using to enter.

You can activate or deactivate this guest network at any time. Even in some models you can easily enable it from a mobile application. If you are going to receive visitors and you want them to connect without compromising security, you can enable that guest network and that’s it. Then you close it again.

Change the password frequently

Also, if people connect to your network and you want to maintain constant security, it’s a good idea to occasionally change the wifi key. This way you can avoid problems in case there are leaks. You will always maintain a security barrier, thus reducing the risk of attacks.

It is always good to use new passwords for the accounts that we use on a daily basis, devices and equipment. But especially when it comes to something as exposed as the Wi-Fi key, this becomes even more important.

Advantages of not using passwords

Check connected equipment

You can also check from the router the devices that are connected to network. One more way to verify that there are no intruders and to be able to take action in case you see that there is something strange. For example, if you see that a computer should not be there, you can take the precaution of changing the password as soon as possible and expel that intruder.

On the other hand, reviewing connected equipment is also checking their security. Always keep computers, mobile phones and any device properly protected. Install a good antivirus, keep systems updated, etc.

In short, as you can see, it is important to protect the security of the Wi-Fi router. You can take into account these recommendations that we have shown to prevent intruders and ensure that proper functioning is ensured, without there being computer attacks of any kind against the network.

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