Tips on how to secure your Wi-Fi network
Learn how to keep your network secure by reviewing the information below. If you have a wired or wireless network, it’s important to follow some basic steps to keep your network safe from outsiders.
Make sure all WAN side access are disabled. All Dhiraagu routers by default on WAN side are disabled.
Use a firewall
Make sure you use a firewall to protect your network. The firewall built into your Dhiraagu router is enabled by default. You can use your own firewall in addition to this.
Set a password on your router
Set your Administrator password on your router. Any outsider trying to gain access to your network can use default router usernames and passwords and can lock you our or grant themselves more privileges within the router settings. If you forget your router password, simply restart the device back to the default setting by pressing the reset button on the back.
Enable Encryption
Make sure you enable the WPA (WiFi Protected Access) or WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) wireless encryption on your router. Using WPA is recommended as it’s more secure. But sometimes it’s a bit harder to set up than WEP. If you want your wireless network to be really secure, WPA is preferred.
NOTE! Dhiraagu does not recommend disabling your WiFi Encryption. Make sure you’re using WPA or WEP for your wireless network.
Change your Router SSID Name
The (Wireless Network Name) refers to the name of your wireless connection you see on “Available Wireless Connection” when trying to connect from your device. We recommend not to use something easily identifiable such as names, address, birth dates etc.
NOTE! Changing the name of your Wireless Connection itself doesn’t protect you completely, it may discourage an outsider from trying to access your network.
Please Do Not Disable SSID Broadcast
• Do not disable the SSID Broadcast feature of your router. Unwanted intruders have tools that can easily get this information, therefore disabling your SSID Broadcast won’t increase security. Disabling SSID Broadcast makes it difficult for other devices/computers such as printers, TV, Wireless gaming consoles etc. to connect to your network. If you have SSID Broadcast disabled, intruders can use nefarious technology to pretend to be your router to gain access your computer.
Enabling MAC Address Filtering
• If you want to go a step further in securing your network, there’s an additional way to only allow access to trusted devices. You have the option to enable MAC Address (Media Access Control) filtering on your router. The MAC Address is a unique identifier attached to the network adapter on your devices such as your laptop or mobile phone. If you enable MAC Address filtering for your network, you need to find and enter into your router the 12-character MAC address of every device that connects to your network.
NOTE! This may be time consuming task to set up, especially if there are a lot of wireless devices or users on your WiFi network.
Creating a strong router administrator password
Use a hard to guess strong password that contains both letters and numbers. There is no maximum length for the password. However, the longer the password, the better to keep your network secure.
NOTE! Special characters such as “@%&*” etc. in your passwords are not supported by most routers.
Constantly change your WEP key
If someone unwanted figures a way to access your network, they will be locked out after you update your WEP key. Make it a habit to change your WEP key constantly.