How should you secure your home wireless network for teleworking?

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a massive shift has forced millions of workers globally to switch to remote work.

Just as peace within a nation contributes to global tranquility, ensuring robust security protocols in our home networks reinforces the overall security framework of our workplaces.

Securing your home wireless network for teleworking step-by-step

The primary and most crucial step in securing your home Wi-Fi is to replace the default username and password with more robust credentials.

Wi-Fi services usually have preset usernames and passwords that hackers can readily locate online. Once inside the network, they can reset the password, exclude the rightful owner, and take control of the network.

Modifying the username and password complicates the process for intruders trying to ascertain the Wi-Fi owner, thereby reducing their chances of breaching the network. Therefore, creating a strong password incorporating letters, numbers, and special characters is essential to enhance security.

1. Enable Wi-Fi network encryption

Encryption is a robust method for protecting network data while working remotely. It encrypts data or message contents, making them indecipherable to unauthorized users. WPA3 is the most advanced encryption standard for home Wi-Fi networks.

If your devices are older, up to a decade, they might not support WPA3, making it crucial to update your devices for better security and functionality. To determine if your router supports WPA3 encryption, review your network settings and inspect the wireless properties.

2. Update your router's firmware regularly

It's essential to keep your router's Wi-Fi software updated to safeguard your home network’s security. Like any software, your router’s firmware may have flaws that hackers could exploit. Since most routers lack an automatic update feature, you must manually update the firmware to protect your network.

3. Implement MAC address filtering

Most broadband routers possess a unique identifier known as the Media Access Control (MAC) address, which enhances network security by restricting the number of devices connected to your network. By entering the MAC addresses of all devices in your household into the router settings, you can confine network access exclusively to these registered devices. This method adds an extra security layer, helping shield your network from unauthorized access.

Besides personal precautions, organizations are also responsible for their employees’ cybersecurity. For instance, they can benefit greatly from the blessings of EDR systems.

What is an Endpoint Threat Detection and Response (EDR) system?

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems are crucial for enhancing cybersecurity by continuously monitoring endpoint devices to detect outsiders in your system.

By providing real-time surveillance of endpoints, EDR systems can identify malicious activities and anomalies that traditional security measures might overlook.

EDR systems can also conduct thorough post-incident investigations to determine the source of the breach. Additionally, these systems support proactive threat hunting by analyzing accumulated data to identify patterns or indicators of compromise that may not trigger automatic alerts. This comprehensive approach strengthens the security posture and enhances the organization’s ability to respond to and recover from cyber incidents effectively.

İnnova offers organizations all the benefits of EDR systems through its end-user security solution, which include:

• Proxy: Controls web access based on corporate policies; faster than firewalls in web classification.
• Sandbox: Analyzes suspicious files within a virtual machine; informs other security systems like firewalls.
• Network anomaly detection: Detects suspicious network traffic; identifies data hijacking and attack vectors early.
• Mail gateway: Manages and blocks harmful email traffic for organizations using email servers.
• Mail sandbox: Integrates with Mail Gateway; analyzes email files and links for malicious activity.
• Data Leakage Prevention (DLP): Prevents sensitive data from leaving the network; involves data classification.
• Network Access Control (NAC): Monitors and controls access to corporate networks; checks MAC address and username.
• Honeypot and deception: Lures attackers with fake info; generates alerts upon interaction with fake systems.
• DNS firewall: Analyzes DNS queries to block malicious traffic; increases visibility of internet usage.
• Advanced threat analysis: Monitors activities in Microsoft Active Directory; aids in detecting cyber-attacks.
• Antivirus: Provides signature-based threat prevention; incorporates machine learning for behavioral analysis.

What is the best wireless security setting for a home network?

Depends. The optimal wireless security setting for your home network can vary depending on several factors, including the types of devices connected and the level of security needed. However, the most recommended setting for most home networks is WPA3, the latest and most secure Wi-Fi Protected Access protocol.

If your devices are compatible, enabling WPA3 provides robust protection against potential threats. For older devices that might not support WPA3, WPA2-PSK (AES) is the next best option. It's important to avoid using outdated protocols like WPA or WEP, as they offer significantly weaker protection and are vulnerable to breaches. Ensure your router's firmware is current to take advantage of the latest security enhancements and fixes.

Security at home, security in the office

Drawing inspiration from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's renowned maxim, "Peace at Home, Peace in the World," we can adapt this philosophy to modern cybersecurity with the adapted mantra, "Security at Home, Security in the Office."

Securing a home wireless network for teleworking involves responsibilities for both employees and their organizations. Here are some key practices that each party should consider:

For employees:

• Strong passwords: Use complex passwords for Wi-Fi networks and device logins.
• Secure connections: Always use VPNs when accessing company data.
• Regular updates: Keep all devices and software up-to-date with the latest security patches.
• Phishing awareness: Be vigilant about phishing attempts and suspicious emails.

For employers:

• Provide VPN access: Ensure all employees have access to a secure VPN for accessing internal networks.
• Security training: Offer regular training on security best practices.
• Endpoint protection: Deploy and manage endpoint protection solutions on all remote devices.
• Support and policies: Establish clear cybersecurity policies and provide technical support for home setups.