4 Essential Steps For Securing a New Wireless Network Router

 By: Unknown    01.20  No comments

So, you just got a new wireless router and are ready to set it up. You are concerned about security but aren't exactly sure what the best practices are when it comes to setting up a wireless router and securing your network.

Let's look at 5 essential steps you should take as soon as you get that shiny new router out of its box, so that you can be secure from the very start:
Step 1 - Follow The Initial Setup Instructions and Update the Wireless Router's Firmware
You need to follow the manufacturer's basic setup instructions before making any configuration changes. Most router makers have a quick start guide to get you up and running.
Chances are, your router may have been sitting on a shelf at a retailer for several months. During this time the manufacturer may have found bugs in the router's operating system (also known as firmware). They may have released updated firmware via their website, but because your router has been sitting in a box for an unknown amount of time, it hasn't been able to download these updates.
Now that you've got it connected to the Internet, you can follow the manufacturer's instructions and update its firmware so that you'll be running the latest and greatest version.
Step 2 - Change Your Router's Admin Password
Never leave the default router password in place because hackers may be able to simply go and find a list of default admin passwords for your brand of router and attempt one of those. Thankfully many router manufacturers are making this more difficult by creating unique initial passwords for each router, these can usually be found on the bottom of the router on a label.
Even if your router was shipped with a unique password you should consider setting a stronger one.

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Step 3 - Enable WPA2 encryption and Create a Strong Network Name and Pre-shared Key (network password)
Your router's setup routine may or may not have had you enable WPA2 encryption during the setup process. You should definitely enable this encryption to help protect your network from eavesdroppers and freeloading neighbors who might join your network if you leave it open, stealing the bandwidth that you're paying for.
You might not think that a network name is important, but having a strong network name helps protect you against hackers who target the encryption keys for known network names. Learn how they do it by checking out our article on Why You Need a Strong Network Name.
Your network's pre-shared key or password should also be a strong one as well. If this password is weak, hackers can crack it quickly, join your network, and eavesdrop on your network traffic.
Step 4 - Enable and Configure Your Firewall and Turn on "Stealth Mode" (if available)
Your router likely has a built-in firewall that can be configured to filter out certain kinds of traffic from the Internet as well as prevent traffic from internal IPs from being able to leave your network. Check out our article on Why You Need A Firewall for more information.
You should also read our guide on Firewall Best Practices for information on how you might want to configure it. When you think you've got it set up correctly, Test Your Firewall to make sure it's doing its job.
Many router's include a feature on the firewall called "Stealth Mode" which helps prevent it from being seen by hackers' port probing tools. Turn this feature on if it's available.