6 easy ways to make your home internet connection more secure

December 6th, 2024
improve security of your home internet connection

With recent data breaches at Optus and Medibank, Cyber security is currently a very hot topic.

Network security can be a complex process but there are some simple things you can do at home to make sure your home internet connection is secure.

By following the steps listed below, you can minimise the chances of an unwanted person being able to access your home network.

1. Strong Password on your Wi-Fi

Step 1 is making sure you have a strong password on your home Wi-Fi connection. If you don’t have a password it means that anyone walking past your home can connect to your Wi-Fi and potentially access files and devices on it.

To add or change your password, you will need to log into your wifi router’s settings screen. To do this you need to know the IP address of your router. If you don’t know how to do this, please read the manual that came with your Wi-Fi router.

Now that you have a strong password, make sure you don’t give it out to every Tom, Dick and Harry that visits your house. Which leads us to the next point.

2. Create a home guest network

The next step is making sure only family members have access to your main Wi-Fi network.

Most modern Wi-Fi routers allow you to create a guest network. This is basically another Wi-Fi network that you can allow your guests to use which is totally separate from your main Wi-Fi network which your computers and devices connects to. This minimises the chances of an unauthorised person being able to access your personal files and devices.

3. Change default password on your devices

When you buy a new Wi-Fi device like a speaker or a security camera it comes with a default password that makes it easy to login and configure the device. If you don’t change this password, it is also makes it easy for hackers and unwanted people to access these devices.

A simple fix is to change the default password (and username if possible) on these devices so that no unauthorised people can access them.

To change the password, you will need to login to the setup screen of the device. Check the user manual if you are not sure how to do this.

4. Keep your router’s firmware up to date

In the same way it is important to keep your phone’s software up to date it is also important to update the software on your Wi-Fi router. Updating to the latest firmware ensures that your router has the latest security settings and updates which minimises your changes of being hacked.

5. Position your router in the middle of your home

Moving your Wi-Fi router in the middle of your home will not only improve the Wi-Fi access inside your home but it will also reduce the chance of your Wi-Fi being accessible outside your home.

6. Use a VPN

A VPN or Virtual Private Network encrypts all the internet traffic from your computer to the internet and makes it impossible for other people to spy on your data. A VPN is another tool that you can use to safeguard you home internet connection and ensure that it is private. For more information on VPNs, you can read our article on what a VPN is and why you should use one for your NBN internet connection.

So there we have it, 6 fairly simple steps you can take to improve the security of your home internet connection.

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