The pandemic has forced many companies to change the way they work. Many still use the work-from-home system, while others have embraced the hybrid model. This drastic change has infused major changes in the manner in which companies and employees are handling technologies. Certainly, everyone needs to protect their information. Obviously, wireless technologies are being deployed on a larger scale in organizations. It helps them operate their business systems smoothly and seamlessly.
However, there is a flip side to the increase in the use of wireless technology. With more employees of an organization going wireless, the risk element gets multiplied.
How Can You Protect Your Information When Using Wireless?
Employees working remotely must be aware of the importance of having a secure connection. While working with classified information, a well-secured wireless connection helps protect the company’s information and also their personal information.
Leading organizations often have systems in place to ensure secure connections for all employees. This is regardless of whether they work remotely or from the office. For those not using a secure system, here are some steps they must consider to protect information.
Make Your Network Connection Secure and Invisible
Wireless access points can announce their existence to wireless-enabled computers. They are seen as identifier broadcasting. In some business situations, it becomes imperative to use identifier broadcasting, but there is always the risk of unauthorized access.
By disabling identifier broadcasting, you can make your network connection secure and invisible to others. Find instructions for disabling identifier broadcasting in your access point user manual.
Rename Your Wireless Network
Most wireless access point devices have an encoded name or service set identifier. The default names provided by manufacturers are not generally encrypted. They can be used to access your wireless network unauthorizedly. Renaming your wireless network is the best way of preventing such access.
While renaming your network, choose a name that others cannot guess.
Encrypt Your Network Traffic
Your wireless device has the feature of allowing self-encryption. You can secure the traffic passing through the device and computers by using this step. By encrypting wireless traffic, the code gets changed and can only be encrypted by computers when provided with the exact key to the newly changed code.
Change Your Administrator Password
Every wireless access point device has a default password. Many users probably know them as the manufacturers set them. It is possible for an outsider to access your wireless network illegally.
Change the administrator password to avoid such situations and related risks. Make sure that the new password is strong and tough to guess. Include characters and numbers that are not related to your personal information.
File Share with Extreme Caution
If there is no need to share files over your network, simply disable this option. It will put one access point beyond the access of hackers and make your network more secure. If you need to share information, ensure the data is robustly protected by a strong password using unique characters with words. Also, never open the whole hard drive for file sharing.
Always Update Access Point Software
As is the norm with any software system, the developers or the manufacturers of the wireless access point will provide updates or patches to fix bugs and other gaps in the system. If you are not getting update messages by default, you must visit the manufacturer’s website regularly for information about updates and patches.
Secure Your Laptop
You must keep your laptop secure to prevent any attempt at unauthorized access by hackers and competitors. Only store business and financial data on the computer only when necessary. Never use an automatic login feature that remembers the username and password. The system must log you out when you have finished your tasks. This prevents unauthorized data access even if you misplace your computer or someone steals it.
Install a Reliable and Licensed Antivirus, Anti-Spyware
You must always check if your laptop or device has an antivirus system installed before you use the wireless network. If none exist, ensure that you install good anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall software. Go to settings to put all relevant information behind protection walls and update the safeguards regularly.
Avoid Opening Suspicious Emails
If you receive an email with attachments sent by strangers in your inbox, never open them without putting the safety systems in place. You need to handle links and programs sent by unknown persons with caution. A click on an unknown file may expose your system to viruses and spyware designed to capture passwords and classified data.
Check Your Wi-Fi, Especially While Using Public Systems
Never take Wi-Fi security for granted. It can be one of the easiest ways for hackers to access your system. Before connecting your Wi-Fi network, ensure the privacy of your data and other crucial information you might have on your system. When using your laptop on public wireless systems such as an airport, coffee shop, library, or hotel, check if adequate Wi-Fi security systems are in place before sharing documents or files.
Conclusion
Wireless technology has made life convenient and comfortable for individuals and professionals. We can carry out tasks remotely without suffering the travails and hassles of a public commute or endless traffic.
However, there is a flip side to everything, including technology. Wireless technology, while extremely useful and valuable, also has the potential to compromise our data. Organizations and employees who use wireless systems must be watchful of their online privacy.
You must know how to protect your business and personal data while using wireless technology.
We are aware that hacking is a bane of technology, and hackers are getting smarter and shrewder with time. They seem to be one step ahead of technology when it comes to misusing it. The above steps can help you steer clear of troubles and will help you protect your information while using wireless systems.
