magazine

TECH INSIGHT
3) Make sure your encryption is up to scratch
Older routers with WEP encryption are vulnerable
– check which one you’re using on your settings
page. If it’s WEP, change to the more secure
option WPA. Or buy a new router.
4) Don’t tell the neighbors your name
Wi-Fi networks have a network name – known
as an SSID – and most ship with a default name,
which often includes the brand. For a potential
attacker – for instance, against a small business
– this is useful information. Some models have
vulnerabilities that make router attacks easy,
It’s worth considering making yours a “hidden
network” – disabling the broadcast of the SSID’s
name. That way you’re less visible to attackers –
and to connect new devices, simply type in your
network’s name on the gadget.
5) Know who’s connecting to your network
Any PC or mobile computing device has a unique
identifying number known as a MAC address. If
you access your router’s settings, you can select
which devices can and cannot connect to your
network – meaning for instance, a neighbour
couldn’t log in, or a teenage visitor could not
access unsuitable sites via a smartphone. Add
the MAC addresses of all authorized devices in
the home – iPhones, tablets, laptops etc. – to the
router’s authorized list. No other device will then
be allowed. You can find the MAC addresses of
mobile phones and other portable devices under
their network settings, though this will vary for
each device. Check with the manufacturer.
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