ULTIMATE NETWORKING SECURITY GUIDE

Add extra layers of security to protect you and your networks with the help of Nick Peers.

JUST HOW SECURE is your home network? These days, it’s a crucial part of our everyday lives , connecting all our home devices to each other and the wider internet. But it’s also a target for hackers and other nefarious folk. By default, the router or modem router you’re using will be set up with convenience rather than security in mind, which puts you at risk of being attacked.

Your network is primarily vulnerable to attack from two vectors: first, by a physical incursion from someone within the range of your Wi-Fi network. You’d be surprised at its range—try wandering out front or back to see how easy it is for your network to reach into a neighbor’s yard or basement, or the sidewalk. If your network isn’t protected by strong encryption (and an even stronger password), then you’re at risk of at best sharing your internet connection with a freeloader, or at worst, opening your network to spies, hackers, and more besides.

Then there’s the risk of attack from outside your network. Did you know your router is configured by default to be accessed remotely? If you haven’t changed the password that came with it, chances are you could have already been breached by a drive-by hacker, scanning IP addresses and ports for vulnerabilities. This in turn can lead to malware such as Trojans getting on to your system, effectively providing hackers with an open door to your network and its resources.