How to keep your computer safe and prevent wifi hacking

Preventing Wi-Fi attacks means updating software, firmware, and passwords. Learn a bit about practices that keep you and your computer safe. First and foremost no Wi-Fi out there comes hack proof. Many are hack resistant but not hack proof.  
Wi-Fi hackers break into networks to download more material or illegal material without paying appropriate charges for an internet service provider.

You receive letters from your provider accusing you of inappropriate Internet use under their term agreement. As you search downloads you find someone is downloading material to a remote computer.

Yes it did happen but without your knowledge and finding the person proves fruitless. You are left with the bill, the citation, and the trouble of fixing it. After the initial encryption the responsibility of hack proofing your Wi-Fi comes down to you and yours. This prevents Wi-Fi hackers. 

Initial Things to Do 

If you suspect an incident of hacking then set the Wi-Fi router to its default, search on your computer and find the latest firmware to download. Simple updating can help stop lower level hackers. That clears that issue immediately. While there, create a new SSID and change out passwords.

Do that periodically and never use the same password for all of your online habits. You have now eliminated the issues on your part. Forming a habit of downloading firmware and updating materials, helps make the incidents less damaging. 

What Comes Next 

Every new feature on the computer, or for the Wi Fi network, comes with pros and cons. Some of the cons come as vulnerabilities. Consumers prefer automatic connect rather than a long series of complex numbers and characters. Or they use the pin provided on the WPS. The thinking was a hacker would not be in your house to access the pin number which was true.

Several years back, brute force hack started happening across cyber security channels. In this particular spot, no guess attempt lock out protection existed. After a few thousand guesses the network for the Wi-Fi was compromised. These tools have proliferated across the Internet. Many Wi-Fi set ups along with WLAN have lock out features that shut down WPS connections after a preset period of time. It stops pin attacks. 

Added Protection 

Whether PC, Wi-Fi or mobile all wireless devices have a unique MAC address, add your MAC addresses from all your devices to the wireless setting. This makes it so that only that specific device can connect to your Wi-Fi network.

Spoofing is still possible but only if the Wi-Fi hackers can find one of the MAC addresses. Reduce the range of your signal as well. Ranges vary on brands. If the range stays well within the boundaries of your house then the probability of someone accessing your network decreases. 

Within a home areas exist where Wi-Fi does not do 360 degree coverage but has a range. If you locate your Wi-Fi there, you can then limit the direction it can go in.

Whole neighborhoods can band there Wi-Fi together limiting access from intruders as well. Getting a reputation for not providing an illegal free service keeps everyone safe. Remember to update passwords frequently to avoid cyber security breaches.

Katrina is a leader in the IT industry custom solution and innovative ideas as a product specialist for Rack Solutions.

Has your computer ever been hacked? Let us know in the comments.

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