Securise wifi

If those are the only options listed, try updating your router software. Some routers come with preset passwords out of the box. The Wi-Fi network password : this is the one you use to connect your devices to the network. A unique and secure Wi-Fi network password prevents strangers from getting onto your network. The router admin password : this is the one that lets you into the administrative side of the device. There, you can do things like change settings including the Wi-Fi network password.

If a hacker managed to log into the admin side of your router, the hacker could change the settings including your Wi-Fi password. That would undo any other security steps you may be taking. Contact the manufacturer directly. Keep your router up to date. To make sure you hear about the latest version, register your router with the manufacturer, and sign up to get updates.

Some routers have features that can be convenient but weaken your network security. WPS lets you push a button on the router to connect a device to the internet instead of entering the network password.

These password settings should be fairly prominently displayed inside the router settings panel, and if you router is a more recent model, you might well get warnings if the new passwords you pick are too easy to guess or brute force. Before long, WPA2 will give way to WPA3 , which offers more set it and forget it security, but until then, pay close attention to your Wi-Fi password hygiene.

Your router runs low-level software called firmware which essentially controls everything the router does. It sets the security standards for your network, defines the rules about which devices can connect, and so on. Some more modern routers update themselves in the background , but whatever model you have, it's always worth making sure the firmware is up to date. This means you've got the latest bug fixes and security patches, and are protected against whatever exploits have just been discovered.

The process varies from router to router, but as with the password settings, the option to update your router's firmware shouldn't be too difficult to find within the router control panel. If you get stuck, check the router documentation or the official support site on the web. If you're lucky, the process will be automatic; you might even get alerts on your phone every time a firmware update gets applied, which usually happens overnight.

If you're unlucky, you might have to download new firmware from the manufacturer's site and point your router towards it. If so, it's absolutely worth the extra effort. A lot of routers come with features designed to make remote access from outside your home easier, but unless you need admin-level access to your router from somewhere else, you can usually safely turn these features off from the router settings panel.

Besides, most remote access apps work fine without them. Another feature to look out for is Universal Plug and Play. Designed to make it easier for devices like games consoles and smart TVs to access the web without making you wade through a lot of configuration screens, UPnP can also be used by malware programs to get high-level access to your router's security settings.

Keeping remote access and UPnP turned on won't suddenly expose you to the worst of the internet, but if you want to be as safe as possible, turn them off. If it turns out that some of the apps and devices on your network rely on them, you can enable the features again without too much worry. You should also think about disabling Wi-Fi Protected Setup. Once both computers have verified each other as authentic, all your Internet communication is encrypted and secured from outside prying.

Most of all, check what devices connect to your home network and make sure they have reliable security software like Norton Security installed against viruses and spyware. All rights reserved. Firefox is a trademark of Mozilla Foundation. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.

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Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Written by a NortonLifeLock employee. July 16, Join today. Cancel anytime. Start Free Trial. The following tips can help secure your home Wi-Fi network against unauthorized access. Make your wireless network password unique and strong Most wireless routers come pre-set with a default password.