Did you know that there is a hacker attack every 29 seconds in the United States, affecting 1 in 3 Americans each year? Even though the cyber security industry is growing rapidly, along with malware, people are still at a high risk of a hacker attack. For those who aren’t technologically savvy, malware and other preventative measures can seem over the top and confusing. Unfortunately, it is more necessary than ever to ensure your network is secured in order to protect your personal information. 

Password Protect Wi-Fi

Having a strong password is the first line of defense for your network. If you have an open network, hackers have an easy in to all of your data and information. People who choose to use the same simple password across multiple platforms are making themselves easy targets for hackers. Choose complex passwords with a variety of characters and make sure to change it up between sites.

Anti-Virus Software & Firewalls

Antivirus software is a cybersecurity tool used to detect and prevent any suspicious activity and is a common measure taken to secure personal devices. A firewall is another form of prevention and “acts as a shield between your network and the world wide web. It monitors the incoming and outgoing traffic from the system and prevents the suspicious packets from entering/leaving the network.” A firewall is primarily used for prevention, while anti-virus software provides actual protection. For more information on the differences and which to use you can check out MalwareFox’s in depth article on the subject.

Secure Your Router

Aside from setting a Wi-Fi password, you can actually secure your router even further. Wi-Fi Protected Access, or WPA2, is the latest form of router security, so you should update your router to include that setting if it is not already. You can setup WPA2 wireless encryption using your router’s manual. While this is a main defense, you can also arrange several other router measures to secure it further, which is mentioned in this article from Lifewire.

Use a VPN

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, allows you to anonymously send and receive data through the internet. The secure network provides a lot of benefits, like keeping your internet activity private, stops sites from tracking you, avoid government censorship and enables you to use public Wi-Fi networks without the risk. There are many VPN services that are offered for free and it is very beneficial to download one, so you can browse securely. For those new to VPNs, you can visit TechRadar to see what the top free services are to try it out for yourself.

WifiMap gives you access to secure networks worldwide and coupling our app with a VPN will help ensure your data and internet usage is secure. Download our app today!