You know that phrase, “From the privacy of my own home?” It’s comforting. After spending the day at work, a favorite restaurant, the baseball game or a movie, we want to come home, kick our shoes off and be away from the public eye. Home is where we demand the most privacy.
But with the typical U.S. household containing five or more internet-connected devices, the reality is our homes aren’t all that private anymore. On top of that, most of us have an I.T. department in our homes, so making sure your home connection is secure can feel pretty daunting. But it doesn’t have to be.
To Secure your Home and Family just keep it S.I.M.P.L.E:
Secure the router
The router is the main gateway through which we connect to the internet. There are a number of things you should do to make sure it’s as secure as possible. The first step is to replace the default password that came with your router. Like with all passwords, it’s important to use something unique and hard for others to guess.
Next, make sure that you keep the router’s firmware up to date. The firmware is basically the router’s software and will regularly be updated with important security patches. Check the manufacturer’s website to download the latest update.
Another step you can take is to make your wireless ID hidden. You’ll be able to find it by entering the name of your network, but this will keep people in your area or who happen to pass by from being able detect it entirely.
The final and perhaps most important step to take is to use Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WAP2). WAP2 is an updated encryption tool featured on all certified routers and uses tools such as message authenticity and integrity validation to keep your connection secure.
Install Endpoint Protection for Devices
Endpoint protection is essentially a software installed on your network that regulates what endpoint devices (laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc.) can do on that network depending on their security configuration. They can be set up to only permit devices that meet certain security standards such as approved operating systems, updated anti-virus software, VPN clients, among others. Utilizing endpoint protection will ensure all users of the network are taking appropriate steps to secure their devices.
Multi-Factor Authentication
For all sensitive accounts, its essential to use multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA is a simple security process that requires more than one form of authentication when logging into an account. This often includes methods like receiving authentication code on your phone or using a PIN after entering in your password. When MFA is enabled, it will ensure anyone who may have stolen to your passwords will still be unable to access your accounts.
Password Manager
We all know that dangers of using one password across multiple accounts, but it also becomes incredibly cumbersome to remember different passwords for every single account. Using a password manager will solve this problem instantly. Password managers such as LastPass can be installed as an extension on your browser and will save log-in details for each account. Then, when you need to log-in, it will automatically pull those details for you to enter. Many mangers even have a password-generation feature that will create secure passwords. Their often long and nonsensical, but its most secure and with a password manager you won’t have to worry about memorizing them!
Lock Up Your Data
Should someone gain access to your hard drive you want to make it as hard as possible to read the information contained on it. Encryption is a method where the data in your files are scrambled up and rendered unreadable unless a key or password is entered. You can choose to encrypt only your most sensitive files, or simply encrypt the entire hard drive. Today both PCs and Macs have built in software that can encrypt your files or hard drive for you.
Educate
The final and maybe most important step you can take is that educate your entire family on cyber-awareness. You might be taking every possible step to securing your connection, but if someone else on the network has lax security settings, you’re just as vulnerable as everyone else. Sit down with the entire family and come up with a security plan that everyone can understand and easily follow. Talk about Phishing, SMS Phishing, and Social Media Phishing (did you know 66% of spear phishing attacks on social media sites are opened by their targets?)
Following these six steps will go a long way to reclaiming your family’s privacy at home. Just remember, Keep it S.I.M.P.L.E.:
Secure router
Install Endpoint Protection on Devices
Multi-Factor Identification
Password Management
Lock up your data
Educate
