How to work and play from home safely
BY KERRY TOMLINSON, AMPERE NEWS
JULY 9, 2021
Working from home, playing from home, banking from home --- you're probably going through a crucial but often ignored device: your home router.
And attackers know it.
While you join your fifth video meeting of the day, cyber criminals are testing your router to see if they can get in.
The number of password-guessing attacks on routers jumped from about 10 million in March 2019 to almost 200 million in March 2020, according to security company Trend Micro, as the home router became central to our work and home lives.
"Even as they sit quietly in many homes around the world, routers are the battleground for a portion of cybercriminals today," Trend Micro's report says.
Once inside, crooks can steal your info, money , accounts, and passwords and use them for crimes or sell them on the underground market. They can also frame you for crimes, using your router for cover. All this, and you may not even know it's happening.
You can fight back!
Here are four top tips to keep attackers out of the device that runs your digital world at home.
#1 - CHANGE THE DEFAULT PASSWORD
When you get a new router, it usually comes with the username and password set to something very basic, like this:
Username: Admin
Password: Admin
You, as the new owner, change it to something long and strong. You did that, right? Many people don't. And that means thieves can jump right in and take control.
If you don't know the default password for your router, do a search for it online. That's how easy it is to find, not just for you, but for crooks, too.
How do you reach your router's dashboard? Every router brand is different, so you'll need to look that up online as well. Search "How do I access my (name your brand) router?" and the maker will have info for you.
#2 - UPDATE YOUR ROUTER
Now that you have a shiny new username and password, you're ready to update.
Attackers and researchers often find security holes in routers. The manufacturers --- if they're responsible --- create fixes to keep attackers out.
You need to apply these fixes by updating your router regularly, in other words, downloading the
latest version of security. Otherwise, malicious hackers can simply check the Internet for non-updated routers and work their way in through the gaps.
How do you do it? Go to your router's dashboard and look for the updates section. You can also do a search online to get step-by-step instructions ("How do I update my (name your brand) router?").
Some routers will update automatically. Other require you to go in every so often and update. Some experts recommend you check for updates every six months.
#3 - SET THE ENCRYPTION
You're starting to get the feel of running your router now. You're ready for the next step.
You want to set the encryption to the highest level possible, such as WPA II or WPA III (Wi-Fi Protected Access II or III).
Encryption scrambles the data you send over your network so that thieves have a harder time stealing it. However, attackers have already learned how to break lower levels of encryption, so you need to make sure you're using the right level.
If your router does not let you set encryption to WPA II or WPA III, experts recommend you buy a newer router that allows it.
#4 - MAKE SPACE FOR GUESTS OF ALL KINDS
If you're feeling good about your new router skills --- or you just want to make more progress --- here's how you can protect your router, and your home, even more.
Create a guest Wi-Fi network so children or visitors can use your Wi-Fi without getting too close to the important stuff on your system.
Don't make the guest network public. Add a password so attackers can't just jump on board.
If you already have a guest network with a password, it's not a bad idea to change the password so that you can keep track of who has it and who doesn't.
Also, put your smart devices onto your guest Wi-Fi network rather than your own network. Smart devices can be more vulnerable and less secure. If attackers break into a smart device, like a doorbell or a security camera, a guest network will help keep thieves away from your most important things.
GIVE IT A TRY
If you generally try to ignore your router --- and who can blame you? --- all this may seem overwhelming. But give it a try, one step at a time. You'll feel safer and smarter in the process.
