7 Ways To Secure Your Business WiFi Network

To succeed in a fast-paced and ever-dynamic business environment like ours, you need to leverage different business strategies and assemble various tools. While successful businesses have some things in common, the most prominent is that they have robust measures in place to secure their WiFi network.

Cyber attackers and hackers are on a spree to attack vulnerable WiFi networks, which may leave untold hardship to the business owner. Among others, once hackers launch an attack on your WiFi network, your business will not only suffer financial loss, it will demotivate your employees and make your customers churn your products or services. You don’t want this kind of ugly situation for your business; you need to have measures in place to secure your business WiFi network.

With the growing popularity of mobile and hand-held devices, it is not surprising that most business owners prefer to conduct their businesses via their tablets and smartphones over desktop computers. Mobile phones make it easy for you to check your business emails and track your employee performance. Without securing your business’s wireless network, hackers may take advantage of your vulnerability and wreak havoc on your business.

This article can walk you through the best possible ways to secure your business WiFi network without spending so much money.

Tip #1 – Change Your Router’s Default Setting

The first step to securing your business wireless network is to change your router’s default setting. Sadly, we still see some businesses making this mistake. They make the mistake of not regularly changing their router’s default setting. If you don’t change your router’s default setting, hackers may leverage your vulnerable employees to attack your business WiFi network, and you know what that means. It means increased downtown and potential loss of revenue.

When changing your router’s default setting, ensure you pick a complex username and password, but it should be easy to remember. You remember how your banking password and username are, yet you can memorize them and recall them when needed? That’s a similar way you should treat your router’s settings. You can use a mix of your nickname and that of your wife or kid. Just use things you won’t easily forget, something valuable to your existence.

Tip #2 – Enable Encryption

Once you have positively changed your router’s default setting, the next thing you should consider is to enable encryption. If you turn on encryption, only those people (like your employees and business associates) that have the encryption key will be able to access your business wireless network. The best encryption to consider using is WPA-PSK encryption. WPA-PSK is highly secure and comes with great features that will suit your business requirements compared to WEP encryption.

If your business WiFi network uses WEP encryption, it is time for you to consider changing your WiFi router. While this will cost you money, it is undoubtedly the way to go to prevent hackers from gaining access to your wireless network. To enable encryption, go to your connection security settings, and you are good to go. What’s more? WiFi Consulting can also be of great help.

Tip #3 – Change Your SSID

Another vital step that you can take to secure your business wireless network is to change your SSID. SSID refers to your default WiFi network name. In other words, once your power on your router, the name you will see at the available connection area is your SSID.

Before you connect your business computers or mobile devices to any WiFi network, ensure you change the SSID. Using an unchanged SSID is very risky. It makes your network vulnerable to hackers and cyber attackers.

Tip #4 – Don’t Broadcast Your SSID

If you do not want the prying eyes of hackers or cyber attackers to see your business WiFi network, then don’t broadcast your SSID. The advantage of not disclosing your SSID is so enormous, including depriving unauthorized access to your wireless connection or network and wondering how to disable your WiFi SSID broadcast? It’s simple; go to your router’s settings. Navigate to where you will find “disable wireless SSID broadcast,” and click on the button.

Please note that some hand-held or mobile devices may not connect to a wireless network if the SSID is unavailable. Therefore, do your due diligence by checking your device to know whether it can connect to your business WiFi network if the SSID is not available. Doing this can save you time and money.

Tip #5 – Filter Users Based on MAC Addresses

Filtering users based on MAC addresses is also a valuable way to secure your business WiFi network. All mobile or hand-held devices have the Machine Access Code (MAC) address. Also, not all WiFi routers have this feature, but if yours has, use this feature to filter people who may access your network. It is easy to use. Add your device’s unique address to your router’s MAC filter, and that would be it.

Tip #6 – Disable Remote Administration

Securing your business WiFi network doesn’t have to be complicated. One easy way to ensure your business wireless network is to disable remote administration. Remember that all routers are easily accessible via the internet. While this may be useful for some reasons, hackers can take advantage to endanger your business WiFi network.

Thus, disabling remote administration is your best bet to keep your network secure. Go to your router’s administrative settings to do that. However, keep in mind that your device should be wired to the router for this to be done.

Tip #7 – Limit Wireless Signal Range

The more your distance from a router, the weaker the signals become. When a router’s signal is weak, it becomes difficult for devices to connect to the network. So, to secure your business wireless network, you may consider limiting your signal range. You can lower your signal range by going to your router’s administrative setting. You will see the option to reduce the signal strength.

And that would be it. If you have any questions regarding any of the tips we have shared in this article, don’t hesitate to shoot us a message.