Five measures to prevent hackers from accessing your router

The router that controls our home internet is something that most of us take for granted. Because we take for granted that everything is operating as it did the day it was installed, hackers can enter your network and cause havoc without you ever recognizing it.

Many individuals think that devices are automatically secured when they are purchased. We so buy cameras, speakers, thermostats, and other items with the belief that they are secured from the outset. The truth is that all of our devices—including routers—need to have cybersecurity measures implemented. Now let’s get going.

1. Automatic or recurring updates

You most likely won’t be informed when a router receives an update. Nearly every kind of router can manually upgrade firmware, and newer routers can download them automatically. If, however, the procedure isn’t automated, you’ll have to look for them every three months.

You’ll need the admin password and the device’s IP address, which can be found on the router, to enter the admin page of your router. The router manufacturer’s user manual may provide the default password, but if you don’t have this information, some websites can assist you in locating them.

To check for firmware upgrades, navigate to the “Advanced” or “Management” area of your router’s admin page after opening it. Download any new releases. Make sure to activate any automatic update options your network may have.

2. More robust encryption

By default, most routers have encryption enabled. You already have a password set up if it’s necessary for you to join. Don’t give up just yet, though, as there are several Wi-Fi encryption schemes, some of which are weaker than others. Remember that many routers come with settings for out-of-date encryption.

You must have WPA3 support on your router. The most recent wireless standard available is this one.

Navigate to the admin menu on your router to verify your encryption settings. Encryption ought should be accessible via the “Wireless” or “Security” menu. Pick one that has “WPA3” at the beginning. Never choose “Open,” as this indicates absolutely no security. The same is true with WEP, an antiquated and readily exploitable standard.

3. An integrated firewall

Your router is equipped with a firewall as one security feature. In one way or another, almost every router from the past ten years has one.

Here’s how to enable and verify the firewall settings on your router:

Enter the router IP address in a browser to view the router homepage.
On the router homepage, look for the Firewall option. It may be categorized under several headings, such as Advanced Settings.
Click to choose and activate the Firewall if it isn’t already active.

4. Improved Quad9 DNS configuration

Take a look at the Quad9 Domain Name System, which is run by IBM and The Global Cyber Alliance, two organizations that support cybersecurity. After Quad9 is configured as your DNS service, it will verify websites against IBM X-Force’s threat intelligence database, which contains over 40 billion analyzed web pages and pictures, each time you click on a link.

5. Absence of remote access

When you were on the phone with a technician, have you ever had them take control of your computer? If so, “remote administration,” a term used frequently in tech assistance, is already recognizable to you.

Hackers and scammers realize that home networks may be easily accessed through remote access. One of the foundational elements of several security vulnerabilities in Windows is remote desktop management.

It’s best to completely disable these options when it comes to your router. Usually, this is located under the “Remote Administration” category in your network settings.

You still need to take action to lock down your Internet of Things devices, even after doing all of this. On my website, I provide several tips for achieving this.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to follow my whatsapp channel