It’s time for a network audit. With an increasing number of devices being connected to home networks, it’s becoming more difficult to keep track of them all. Therefore, it’s essential to periodically review and clean-up networks to keep personal information safe and secure.
ESET Internet Security and ESET Smart Security Premium are just a few examples of security software that allow for simple network reviews. However, for those not using such software, there are other methods of auditing network-connected devices. Logging into your router’s browser-based control panel is one of the easiest options. Simply enter your router’s IP address into your web browser’s URL bar, which is usually either 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, and enter your administrator name and password. If you’ve never set up this information, check the device’s documentation or search for the credentials online. Once logged in, look for “Connected Devices” or “Attached Devices” to see a list of all the devices connected to your network. If there are any devices that are no longer in use or not recognized, consider removing them from the network.
In addition to cleaning up the network, it’s also important to use strong and unique passwords for both the admin account and wireless connectivity. Furthermore, the network’s SSID, or the name of the wireless network, should not identify the user or the network. For added security, enable a strong encryption standard, such as the WPA2 protocol or the newer WPA3, provided that the router supports it. Disable features that are not needed or pose a risk, such as Wi-Fi Protected Setup or Universal Plug and Play.
Network segmentation is another key aspect of network security. Keeping all devices on a single network increases the risk of cyberattacks. Therefore, it is wise to implement a strict separation of devices. For example, consider using a guest Wi-Fi for devices that only require an internet connection. By doing so, these devices can be treated as “guests” and assigned to a separate network. If one of these devices is compromised, personal data and images remain safe.
Updates are also a crucial part of network security. Checking for the latest updates for all devices, especially the router, is crucial, as vulnerabilities in firmware are often exploited by cybercriminals.
Spring cleaning is also a great time to ensure that backups are up-to-date. Backing up files, photos, videos, and other data regularly can be done inexpensively through cloud storage offers from companies such as Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive, Apple iCloud, and Dropbox. Alternatively, one can use a network-attached storage device (NAS). Both cloud and NAS storage have advantages over traditional storage options, such as USB sticks or DVDs. The data is stored almost fail-safe, and even in the case of a disk failure, the contents are mirrored on a second drive (RAID). However, with cloud storage, the data is outside of the user’s network, which requires the user to trust the service provider for the protection and confidentiality of data. With this in mind, users should encrypt their data before uploading it to the cloud. Local backup options, such as USB sticks or CDs/DVDs, are easy to control and hide but come with the disadvantage of being fail-safe. It’s also important to be wary of keeping backup media constantly connected to the computer or smartphone, as ransomware that attacks the system may also compromise connected storage media.
In conclusion, network audits and regular backups are essential to keeping personal information safe and secure in today’s connected world. By implementing a few simple steps such as cleaning up the network, using strong passwords, and segmenting devices, users can enjoy added peace of mind and security.