Securing Home Network

While filing your taxes using your personal computer at home, did you feel the information in your PC are all safe and secured? I usually get little nervous connecting my PC to any free WI-FI available in a coffee shop or free wireless zones. I feel much better and safer using the internet at my own home network but when I read some articles on identity thefts and data breach, I doubt if my home network is secured enough to protect my electronic information. We know that securing home network can ensure the users can use the internet safely, but the question is – are we following the steps properly? I have seen a lot of promotional efforts by many internet service providers like Cox and Century link on applying extra level of security in home network and the importance of encrypting electronic information. However, many average users still do not realize that just using encryption might not be enough. While setting up wireless or wired home networks, many average users rush through the steps to get their Internet connectivity working as quickly as possible, and by doing so they may be skipping certain important security steps that may open a window for hackers to get into their home network. This security breach can result in unauthorized access of personal data from the home computers. Depending on the nature of the incident, a security breach can be anything from low-risk to highly critical.

Within an organization, security breaches are typically monitored, identified and mitigated by a software or hardware firewall, but home network may lack some of those features due to cost factors related with security software or due to home owners not having good knowledge on network security. Besides stealing personal data, often the hackers want to gain access into others’ computer so they can use it to launch attacks on other computer systems and hide their true location as they launch cyber-attacks. These hackers are always discovering new security holes to exploit in computer software; hence, it becomes a sole responsibility of the computer owner to install the patches to cover any security hole. Having a good understanding of security configuration of modem, router and setting up firewall, installing patches and anti-virus software can turn out to be very effective while protecting home computer network.  Physical security of the networking devices is also equally importance which many home owners need to maintain.

Federal Communication Commission recommends users to use Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) which is the most effective standard for encryption available today. Home network owners can use the recommended solutions which are also advised by FCC and NSA to protect their network from the intruders, hackers and identity thieves. Home owners should not be sharing their WI-FI password to their guests at all, instead they can setup a guest WI-FI account that many new routers include in features these days. Having an unsecure home network can be considered similar to leaving your car door open for someone to enter and steal it. Intruders may park their car within the WI-FI range to the house and try to hack into the home network, so home owners need to pay special attention to any suspicious vehicle parked near home within the WIF-FI access zone.

I really enjoyed using the new app named “Nextdoor”, which can be considered as social networking site for neighbors. I have received many helpful tips and suggestions from my neighbors related with securing the neighborhoods, also many have been reporting any suspicious activities in their area and notifying neighbors to take precaution. In my opinion, with the rapidly changing technologies - home owners should migrate to modern operating system and platform and update existing applications, as the latest versions always have improved security features. I strongly agree that security-conscious technology users within home network can surely keep the intruders away.

References:

FCC (n.d). Protecting Your Wireless Network. Retrieved March 23rd, 2015 from http://www.fcc.gov/guides/protecting-your-wireless-network

Geier, E. (2014). 8 ways to improve wired network security. Retrieved March 23rd, 2015 from http://www.networkworld.com/article/2175048/wireless/8-ways-to-improve-wired-network-security.html

Krebs. B (2011). New Tools Bypass Wireless Router Security. Retrieved March 26th, 2015 from https://krebsonsecurity.com/2011/12/new-tools-bypass-wireless-router-security/