How to Secure Wi-Fi From Hackers – A Complete Guide

Wireless security is specifically established to prevent unauthorized users from accessing and stealing sensitive information from your wireless network. The type of wireless safety a person uses is determined by his wireless protocol.

Many homes and companies are operating and relying on wireless networking today. Wi-Fi is incredibly efficient to keep internet users 24 hours a day on weekdays. The above benefit, coupled with the fact that there is no cable clutter, makes Wireless networking even more attractive.

However, there is another side to it, because Wi-Fi signals can be transmitted across the walls of a home or company. This means that Wi-Fi is vulnerable to hackers; it makes people in neighboring homes or even people in a nearby parking lot easier accessible. Here is the importance of ensuring strong wireless safety.

You may wonder what the risk of other people accessing your Wi-Fi is, if at all. Well, a vulnerable Wireless Network has a number of dangers. For example, hackers can access personal information, steal and use your identity. Some people ended up in prison for a crime that they did not commit via the Internet.

If others can access your Wi-Fi, it will likely skyrocket your monthly bill. In addition, other people without your permission use your Wi-Fi connection will significantly slow down internet access speed. In the digital age of today, where the Internet is a place that holds unscrupulous persons, Wi-Fi security cannot be underestimated.

It’s not hard to secure your Wi-Fi. In this article, we will guide you on how to secure Wi-Fi effectively and protect yourself and any other user from hacking in your home or business. The first step is to consider your Wi-Fi security type.

What kind of safety is your WiFi?

The first step to safeguarding Wi-Fi from unauthorized users is by checking your Wi-Fi type of security. There are, in particular, at least four wireless protocols including:

• The Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
• The Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
• The Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA 2)
• The Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA 3)

Before we can examine these wireless protocols in detail, it is important that you learn to identify the type of wireless security you use. Please be aware that your WLAN type will be WEP, WPA, WPA2 or WPA3. Below are the steps for verifying the type of wireless security you are using:

•       Go to your phone’s Wi-Fi connection settings.
•       Look for your specific wireless network on the list of available networks.
•       Click on it to access the configuration of the network.
•       The network settings should specify the type of wireless safety you are using.
•       If you are unable to complete the above steps on your phone, try accessing the Wi-Fi settings on your wireless router.
•       Please contact your internet service provider if you have any problems for further assistance.

However, a easier way to check encryption is through the use of an app called NetSpot, the industry’s best. Once you have identified the type of safety your Wi-Fi is, make sure it uses an effective wireless protocol.

What are the wireless protocols for security?

Wireless protocols are designed to protect wireless networks that use hackers and unauthorized users in homes and other buildings. As mentioned above, there are four wireless safety protocols, each with different strengths and capabilities. Wireless protocols also encrypt private data when it is transmitted on the airwaves. In turn, this protects your privacy from hackers and protects you inadvertently.

Below is a detailed overview of the type of wireless protocols everyone should know about:

•       Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP): This is the first ever wireless security protocol. Despite its design in 1997, it is still in use today. It is regarded as the most faulty and least secure wireless security protocol to be used, however.
•       Wireless Protected Access (WPA): The WEP precedes this Wireless Safety Protocol. It is therefore designed to address the flaws found in the WEP protocol. It uses, inter alia, for encryption a Temporary Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) and the preshared Key (PSK).
•     The Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA 2): WPA 2 has enhanced capabilities for encrypting and enhanced features. The WPA 2 for example uses Counter Mode Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol (CCMP) rather than (TKIP).  This substitute function is known to be efficient in data encryption. WPA 2 is therefore considered to be the best wireless security protocol.
•       The Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA 3): The latest wireless protocol. It is enhanced by the ability to encrypt and keep hackers out of both private and public networks.

In view of the above, it is best to ensure that your Wireless Protocol is either WPA 2 or WPA 3. If not, you can easily change your Wi-Fi to WPA 2 protocol. Never use WEP to encrypt your wireless network because it is at best extremely weak and inefficient

Now, with all this in mind, the top WiFi security tips are below.

•       Check for Rogue Wi-Fi Access Points: Rogue Access Points are a large safety risk as they can help hackers. The best way to do a Wi-Fi site survey is in your home or business building. The best app to use is the NetSpot application. This application not only detects rogue access points but effectively gets rid of them.
•       Strengthen your Wi-Fi encryption: To reinforce your Wi-Fi encryption, identify your Wi-Fi protocol as we have seen above. NetSpot helps to identify your encryption type.
•       Secure WPA 2 Password: Change to something unequivocal your WPA 2 password. Use different characters and numbers to make sure your password is strong.
•       Hide network name: The identification of your service set, or SSID, is often set to convey your wireless network name. This makes you more vulnerable. You can easily switch to “hidden,” making it difficult for anyone who does not know the name of your wireless network.