A Wi-Fi or LAN network is very sensitive to external dangers. Hackers are constantly lurking and see their chance when there is a leak somewhere in your network.
And once unwanted users have access to your Wi-Fi network, you run risks.
- Malware can be spread, which seriously increases the risk of viruses.
- Files, printers and other devices in your network are accessible to hackers.
- Messages and login details can be intercepted.
That is why it is very important to ensure good Wi-Fi security.
Passwords and encryption with WPA2
Good Wi-Fi security starts with a good password and WPA2 encryption. This encryption ensures that traffic between your devices cannot be read, not even by hackers. WPA2 encryption is the most secure method and is much more difficult for cybercriminals to crack. Other (often older) alternatives are no longer sufficiently safe.
Furthermore, do not choose an obvious password and change your password regularly. A strong password consists of a combination of numbers, capital letters and symbols.
Antivirus scanner
First and foremost, it is important that your antivirus scanner is always up-to-date. That makes sense because otherwise, it cannot offer sufficient protection. In addition, the standard functionalities of antivirus are no longer sufficient. To optimally protect your network against crypto lockers and ransomware, it is best to also use the crypto guard. That is an extra option on top of your antivirus scanner.
Firewall
A firewall is an important part of the security of your network. Initially, a firewall monitored the ‘ports’ of the computers in your network and determined whether or not data could be allowed through, both incoming and outgoing. But today a firewall goes way beyond that. Unwanted websites and applications are blocked and in fact, all things that are dangerously blocked your internal network are.
Email scanner
Whereas an antivirus scanner used to scan all downloads and emails for viruses, it now works slightly differently. With the arrival of Office 365, most companies nowadays work in the cloud. To ensure that your e-mails and downloads are scanned now, you should certainly not forget to purchase an additional license for this. Scanning emails and downloads is then handled by a cloud solution.
Stay up-to-date
Everything that can be updated within your network must always be up-to-date! And by that, we mean not only your firewall but also your operating system, browser, extensions, PDF readers and so on. Un-updated applications and operating systems can contain security issues and leaks.
VPN connection
Are there employees within your organization who work from home on a regular basis? Then it is important that this is done via a secure VPN connection. This VPN connection ensures as it were, a secure tunnel between the home network and your corporate network, and in this way keeps the home network’s dangers out.
Accessed
Not everyone in your organization needs full access to your network. Proper access control ensures that employees have access only to those that they actually need. This way you prevent unnecessary risk and make it harder for hackers to ‘penetrate’ your network.
A separate company network and guest network
Don’t just open your Wi-Fi network to visitors. You have no control over their devices and therefore you do not know what danger you ‘bring in’. If a hacker enters a visitor, he can also access your data via the public network.
It is better to set up a separate network for guests and visitors and to set a separate password for this. This way you give visitors access to your internet, but they cannot access the shared files on your network. For example, the Vodafone WiFi extender gives you all the controls and settings to set up a secure WiFi connection.
IoT devices are an additional point of attention. Because these often leave something to be desired when it comes to security, it is best to provide a separately secured component for this on your network, in addition to your guest network and the company network.
Smartphones and tablets
Smartphones and tablets require separate security. By means of Mobile Device Management, you shield company data from personal data on these devices. Mobile Device Management ensures that, for example, emails, documents and contact details of your network are stored in a secure ‘container’ and are only accessible there.
Securing your Wi-Fi or LAN network is just one part of optimum security for your company data. Making your employees aware of the dangers, training and setting up controls around your business processes are other important points of attention in the fight against cybercrime.
