Thurman Homes Blog

Here in Texas, it’s common for us to take measures to protect our homes from intruders, but you should also consider protecting your digital space. In today’s connected world, home networks have become central to everyday life, powering everything from smart devices to home offices. However, as technology advances, so do cyber threats. Protecting your home network is essential to safeguard sensitive information, maintain privacy, and prevent unauthorized access. We at Thurman Homes want to give you a few cybersecurity tips to keep your home network secure.

Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

• Change Default Credentials: Routers often come with default usernames and passwords, which are easy targets for hackers. Replace these with strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess.
• Set a Strong Wi-Fi Password: Use WPA3 encryption (or WPA2 if WPA3 isn’t available) and create a complex Wi-Fi password. Avoid using easily accessible information like names, birthdays, or phone numbers.
• Hide Your Network Name (SSID): Configure your router to hide the network name so that it doesn’t appear in the list of available Wi-Fi connections, making it harder for hackers to locate.

Keep Your Router Updated

• Firmware Updates: Routers frequently release updates to patch vulnerabilities. Check your router settings periodically to ensure firmware is up to date.
• Automatic Updates: Enable automatic updates if your router supports them to ensure you always have the latest security features.

Use Firewalls and Network Segmentation

• Enable the Router’s Built-In Firewall: Most modern routers include firewall features that provide an extra layer of defense against incoming threats. Make sure it’s turned on.
• Separate Networks for Devices: Use guest networks for visitors and smart home devices to keep them isolated from your primary network. This prevents compromised devices from accessing sensitive information.

Protect Devices Connected to Your Network

• Install Antivirus Software: Use trusted antivirus and anti-malware programs on all connected devices to detect and block threats.
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating systems, applications, and devices to fix security vulnerabilities and improve protection.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security by enabling 2FA on devices and accounts to prevent unauthorized access.

Monitor Network Activity

• Check Connected Devices: Review the list of devices connected to your network regularly. If you spot any unfamiliar devices, take immediate action by changing your Wi-Fi password and updating security settings.
• Use Network Monitoring Tools: Some routers and third-party apps can monitor network activity and send alerts about suspicious behavior, helping you respond quickly to threats.

Turn Off Remote Management

• Disable Remote Access: Many routers allow remote management, which can be a potential vulnerability if left enabled. Turn off this feature unless absolutely necessary to prevent unauthorized access.

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

• Secure Internet Traffic: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept data, especially when accessing public Wi-Fi or sensitive information.

Back Up Important Data

• Regular Backups: Create regular backups of important files and data to protect against ransomware or accidental loss. Store backups on external drives or cloud storage with encryption enabled.

Stay Completely Protected at Home

These steps may seem daunting, but please know that securing your home network doesn’t have to be complicated. However, it does require consistent effort. By following these cybersecurity tips, you can safeguard your personal data, protect connected devices, and create a safer digital environment for your household. Investing in strong passwords, software updates, and monitoring tools will go a long way in defending against cyber threats.