The Ultimate Hack to Keep Your WiFi Safe from Nosy Neighbors!
Home WiFi networks are convenient, but they can also become a vulnerability if not properly secured. A common risk is neighbors or strangers accessing your network without authorization, which not only reduces your connection speed by consuming your bandwidth, but can also expose your devices to potential attacks.
Why You Should Hide Your WiFi Network
The main reason to hide the SSID is to improve security. According to the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), many users do not change the default settings, making it easier for intruders to access the network. They could not only use your internet inappropriately, but also access your connected devices, such as smartphones or surveillance cameras.
Guide to Hiding Your WiFi Network Step by Step
If you decide to hide your network’s SSID, here are the general steps you should follow:
- Access the router settings: Open your web browser and enter the router’s IP address (for example, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). If you don’t know the exact address, check the device documentation.
- Enter the access credentials: If you haven’t changed the router’s username and password, the default ones are usually something like “admin” and “password”.
- Find the WiFi network settings: Look for an option in the control panel that says “Wireless” or something similar.
- Disable the “Broadcast SSID” option: This option controls whether your network name is visible to other devices. By disabling it, your network will not appear in the available connections list.
Other Recommended Security Measures
Hiding the SSID is just one part of protection. The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) recommends implementing the following measures to strengthen your network security:
- Change the default router credentials: It is crucial to change the default username and password to prevent unauthorized access.
- Use WPA3 or WPA2 encryption: If your router is not compatible with WPA3, make sure to at least use WPA2, a stronger security standard than WEP, which is obsolete.
- Set a strong password for your WiFi network: Combine letters, numbers, and symbols to create a secure key. Avoid using easily guessable passwords like “password123”.
- Set up a guest network: If you have frequent visitors, it is advisable to enable a specific WiFi network for them, keeping your personal devices more secure.
Technical Analysis: Hidden SSID Risks
Increase Your Privacy
Hiding the SSID can be a way to increase your privacy when it comes to your network. However, it’s important to note that this is not a foolproof solution. Cybersecurity experts, like those from the National Cybersecurity Center (INCIBE), caution that there are tools available to cybercriminals that can still detect hidden networks. Therefore, it’s crucial to implement multiple security measures to enhance the security of your network.
