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Prevent unauthorized usage of your Wi-Fi network – Must read!

Wi-Fi is a technology used in almost every home for connecting to the internet. With the enormous growth of this technology, we need to plan and take into consideration the security & safety of our Wi-Fi networks. There are many people who take advantage of unsecured or poorly networks and enjoy free internet access. It is pretty easy to deal with such people with a little basic knowledge of wifi security and some tools. In this article, you will be finding some great tips and tools that will help you protect your WiFi network.

Follow these steps to secure your Wi-Fi network –
  1. Make sure your network is encrypted – You need to login to your Router configuration at 192.168.1.1 and go to the Wifi tab. After this you need to select an encryption (WEP is recommended) and set a password of your choosing.
  2. Monitor your network – Setting a password is not enough, you need to monitor your network using tools like Netcut for PC . These tools will allow you to check who is connected to your network. You can also kick users from your wifi network using this tool.
  3. Update your password regularly – Updating your password is extremely important for maintaining security. Your password might leak or may be compromised from time to time. So, it is recommended that you update your password every month.
Following the above steps will ensure that your network remains secured and no unauthorized person has access to it.
Importance of security for Wifi networks
You might think that unauthorized use of wifi networks will only affect the speed of your Internet, but it is a more than that. Below are the security threats you might face by unauthorized access to your network –
  1. Reduction of Bandwidth and speed – This is the most common and obvious result of a lapse in security. Additional users on your network will eat up your bandwidth and lower the speed of your internet.
  2. Legal threats – When someone is using your internet, you are responsible for the data sent and actions done through it. This is the reason why cyber hubs take your signature and identity proof before allowing access to their machines. There have been reports in which terrorist groups have exchanged messages and posted information on the internet by hacking into Wi-Fi networks.  Unauthorized access like this might get you into trouble.
  3. Your personal files/sensitive data may be exploited – Unauthorized users can not only use your Wi-Fi network but also access the files stored on your computer & emails. If the users are able to access your passwords or credit card details you might be hacked and subject to financial loss.
Sources-
http://Wifikiller.com
http://Wikipedia.com