I haven't read everything on this post but here's my take on home online "security". I'm not an IT professional but am a little tech geeky. ![:D]( "Very Happy")
You can change the WiFi name name and password through the router directly, the access info is on the router. Pick a long name, make it nonsense and for the password make it long as well using just randomly pick numbers, letters both small and capital and if the router allows even special characters. Make sure you write it down/save it some how to reference it later. Go to all your connected devices and connect to this "new" network. Once everything is connected go back to the router and if it has the capacity to hide the SSID then do it. This has now eliminated any casual hacker to be able to see and get into your network. I do think there are programs that will show hidden SSIDs. I have done this in the past to my WiFi network.
The next step for greater security is to go into the router and put in the exact MAC addresses of all the devices that will use the WiFi. I think this is still applicable, I haven't looked at my new WiFi network but I could do this with our old one but never used this feature. There is one issue with this in that it is possible for someone to change their MAC number on their computer to a MAC number on the system. I think computers transmit this - don't know how.
You can also (or use to be able) to change the router password as well. This eliminates anyone who works for whatever company you got the router from access to the router. There is a reset button on the router that brings it back to factory settings. I'm not sure if the company can send a "bullet" to the router to reset it or not but that is a possibility. Once you reset, everything you've done above goes away. I did this in the past.
The most secure way is Ethernet hard wire cable and turning off the WiFi which in this case doesn't sound feasible.
That takes care of your home somewhat, so now onto securing your on line accounts. ALWAYS use 2 factor authorization if you're that concerned. Anyone who logs into your account will trigger a text or phone call for you to say yes it's OK. It is a PITA but it makes your online worries less. If you ignore the company's ping to get in the account won't be opened. Now if you didn't try to get in you have to go into your account and change your username/password since someone has it. Some of my accounts have this feature which can be disabled, I am keeping them on as they come up.
General things not to do is don't use public WiFi for secure connections. Be careful with password managers on devices, I don't use them but have heard of hacks. If out in public and you must do something to a secure account - turn off WiFi and use the phone's data. If you're using a laptop then activate your phones ability to be a hot spot and connect to your phone's network; I think my family was the only family living in the 19th century when it came to phones, we didn't have this feature ... it's amazing living in the 21st century!![:D]( "Very Happy")
My son has a privacy screen on his phone, seems like a good idea when it comes to privacy. Can get one for a laptop as well. I don't use one.
This is long winded but it's easier done then typed out. None of this is hard and YouTube is great as is Google in finding out how to do these things!
You can change the WiFi name name and password through the router directly, the access info is on the router. Pick a long name, make it nonsense and for the password make it long as well using just randomly pick numbers, letters both small and capital and if the router allows even special characters. Make sure you write it down/save it some how to reference it later. Go to all your connected devices and connect to this "new" network. Once everything is connected go back to the router and if it has the capacity to hide the SSID then do it. This has now eliminated any casual hacker to be able to see and get into your network. I do think there are programs that will show hidden SSIDs. I have done this in the past to my WiFi network.
The next step for greater security is to go into the router and put in the exact MAC addresses of all the devices that will use the WiFi. I think this is still applicable, I haven't looked at my new WiFi network but I could do this with our old one but never used this feature. There is one issue with this in that it is possible for someone to change their MAC number on their computer to a MAC number on the system. I think computers transmit this - don't know how.
You can also (or use to be able) to change the router password as well. This eliminates anyone who works for whatever company you got the router from access to the router. There is a reset button on the router that brings it back to factory settings. I'm not sure if the company can send a "bullet" to the router to reset it or not but that is a possibility. Once you reset, everything you've done above goes away. I did this in the past.
The most secure way is Ethernet hard wire cable and turning off the WiFi which in this case doesn't sound feasible.
That takes care of your home somewhat, so now onto securing your on line accounts. ALWAYS use 2 factor authorization if you're that concerned. Anyone who logs into your account will trigger a text or phone call for you to say yes it's OK. It is a PITA but it makes your online worries less. If you ignore the company's ping to get in the account won't be opened. Now if you didn't try to get in you have to go into your account and change your username/password since someone has it. Some of my accounts have this feature which can be disabled, I am keeping them on as they come up.
General things not to do is don't use public WiFi for secure connections. Be careful with password managers on devices, I don't use them but have heard of hacks. If out in public and you must do something to a secure account - turn off WiFi and use the phone's data. If you're using a laptop then activate your phones ability to be a hot spot and connect to your phone's network; I think my family was the only family living in the 19th century when it came to phones, we didn't have this feature ... it's amazing living in the 21st century!
My son has a privacy screen on his phone, seems like a good idea when it comes to privacy. Can get one for a laptop as well. I don't use one.
This is long winded but it's easier done then typed out. None of this is hard and YouTube is great as is Google in finding out how to do these things!
Statistics: Posted by Vinny_in_NJ — Sun Jan 14, 2024 5:58 am — Replies 95 — Views 7545