The pandemic has made us rethink our notion of the workplace, with organisations offering more flexibility around work arrangements. While we have control at home, and most routers come with decent default configuration, we’re still responsible for ensuring a secure and safe network for ourselves and loved ones.
Here’s a checklist to get you started:
- Activate the router firewall and configure your Wi-Fi: Make sure your device and Wi-Fi passwords are strong, and your router firewall activated — the bare minimum to stave off unwanted guests.
- Get the security protocol right: We’ve moved from using WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) to WPA2 and WPA3 (the latest versions of Wireless Protected Area). It’s critical to have WPA2 (or higher) enabled, and WEP disabled.
- Stay “anonymous” via a VPN: A VPN sets up a “tunnel” from your device through the access point and out to the internet. While the access points can see you’re on a VPN, they can’t see what’s inside the “tunnel.”
- Double your protection with 2FA: Set up two-factor authentication where possible. Besides your password, additional proof such as a physical key or a temporary generated code on a 2FA app is required before you can access confidential information.
Our security experts will return with more Cybertips. Chat to us if you have questions or comments. We’d like to hear from our readers.
