It is quite easy for someone to hack into your computer if it’s connected to the same network. This is why you should learn how to secure your wireless home network, because otherwise you might end up with some personal information being stolen by a hacker.

Nowadays, everyone has a home network using different wireless routers. However, not many know that it is quite dangerous to use a wireless router if you don’t secure it properly. Many of them believe that securing a home network is too complicated, but we assure you that it’s not that hard, as long as you follow this guide.

Network Security: Hardware

Since most of the desktop/laptop users have installed Microsoft Windows, this is one of the most hacked systems. First of all, you will need to run a firewall on that computer (a dedicated one or the one that comes with Windows OS). We suggest you to install a dedicated firewall, as it will most likely protect your computer way better than the one that’s brought by Windows.

At the same time, devices can also compromise a network which includes: routers, DLS or cable modems, video game consoles, smartphones, VoIP phones, printers etc. Depending on the protocols that these devices use, you may have even more devices linked to your network. For example, any Bluetooth gadgets can sync with each other, as long as they are close enough.

Firewalls can also be two types: for software and hardware. As we’ve told you above, you can run a firewall application or you can purchase a physical firewall. We remind you that the routers usually come with in-built firewall software.

The firewall will act like filters and it will monitor the data traffic between your network and the internet. In case the firewall detects an unusual traffic that looks like someone has compromised your home network security, it will automatically stop the traffic and/or it will notify you.

In case you are using a wireless router, you should set a password to it and enable encryption. Not protecting your wireless network is the worst thing that you can do and you might get hacked very easy. Enabling an encryption and choosing a strong administrator password on your router will help keep your wireless home network secure.

Network Security: Software

There are a many useful applications that can help you secure your connection. In case you don’t have a hardware firewall, then you’d better use a firewall application in order to protect your network.

HINT: For improved security, you can use both hardware and software firewalls at the same time.

There are a lot of firewall applications over the internet. Most of them are free, but there are also a good amount of paid firewalls. Firewall is mostly as important as anti-virus software, so we suggest you to install one as soon as possible.

How to keep safe your Wireless Network

As we’ve told you above, you will firstly need to set a password for the wireless router. We also suggest you to use WPA or WPA2 as security mode.

At the same time, you will need to avoid clicking on strange links that you receive in your email. Because, no matter how secure your wireless network is, you can always get a malware on your computer, which means that your personal data will be stolen by a hacker.

There are even hackers who create web pages and upload some usual free applications there that are infested with malwares. This is why you will also need to download a good anti-virus to keep yourself and your wireless network protected. Once you get infected with a malware, it can be spread all over the home network to the other computers/laptops that are connected to it.

Also, you will need to look out for peer-to-peer services such as torrents. These kinds of services allow you to download files that are hosted on other users’ computers. So, in case that user has a PC infected with a malware, there are high chances that you will get some infected files from him/her.

However, as long as you are paying attention to what are you downloading and if you are scanning the files after downloading them, you will probably be fine. Keep in mind that no network is 100% secure, but by following these tips, you will surely lower the “chances” to get your PC/Home Network infected.

There are a lot of users who are not even using an antivirus or a firewall on their computers. Most of these users have all types of malwares on their computers, who are not only slowing down their machines, but there are high chances that some important data (such as credit card information or bank account) will get into the hands of the hackers. This means that in case you have some money on your credit card/bank account, you will lose it all (or a good part of it).