We can say that the router is a fundamental part of our Internet connection. It is what allows many devices to be connected and to have a network. This means that we must take care of the device and not make mistakes, since it could also be the target of hackers and launch attacks. In this article we are going to talk about 5 configurations or changes that you should take into account to improve security on the router.
What to take into account for security in the router
If you follow the advice that we are going to give you, you will improve the security of your router and avoid many problems. This will also help the speed to be good and avoid cuts, since in the event of intruders in the network it could greatly affect the quality of the connection and you will encounter continuous failures.
put strong passwords
Something very important is to use good passwords. It is the main security barrier that will keep hackers away. It is the key needed to enter the device settings or connect to the wireless network. Here you should not make mistakes, as you could cause your router to be hacked.
But do not focus only on the Wi-Fi password, but you must also change the access password to the router. Always use keys that are strong and complex. It is convenient that they have letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers and other special symbols, all of which are always random.
Use good encryption in the Wi-Fi key
Regardless of the password you use for Wi-Fi, make sure you’re using strong encryption. Avoid the old and obsolete ones, such as WEP or WPA. It uses the most current ones, which are WPA-2 or WPA-3. That is what will give real protection to your key and will prevent them from easily entering the wireless network.
You should keep in mind that WPA-3 encryption is not yet compatible with all routers or devices, so in many cases you will have to use WPA-2, which is also secure.
Change factory settings
You should not leave the factory settings on the router. That could lead to attackers being able to exploit it and come to steal information or carry out some kind of attack. Change the password to access the router, the Wi-Fi password, the network name and even aspects such as setting up a guest network.
All this will help improve security. The sum of everything will make your router more protected, so it is not convenient to leave the factory settings as they come.
Check that it is up to date
It is important to have the router updated, with the firmware with the latest versions. That will also help prevent many attacks and keep you secure. If there is an unpatched vulnerability, hackers could exploit it to gain entry illegitimately.
To see if the router is up to date will depend on the exact model. Normally you will have to enter the configuration through the default gateway, which is usually 192.168.1.1.
Control connected equipment
In addition to all of the above, you need to keep track of the devices that you have connected to the router. You can see that there are tools to hack a router and they can do it if you have any equipment connected with problems. For example, that it has a vulnerability or a bad configuration that puts everything at risk.
Manage well which devices you connect to the router and you will also always be able to see which ones are connected. That will also give you clues as to whether or not there is an intruder who has been able to gain access.
