Networks

This section covers how you connect your devices to the internet securely, including configuring your router and setting up a VPN.

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Essential

Use a reputable, paid-for VPN. This can help protect sites you visit from logging your real IP, reduce the amount of data your ISP can collect, and increase protection on public WiFi.

Essential

After getting a new router, change the password. Default router passwords are publicly available, meaning anyone within proximity would be able to connect.

Essential

There are different authentication protocols for connecting to WiFi. Currently, the most secure options are WPA2 and WPA3 (on newer routers).

Essential

Manufacturers release firmware updates that fix security vulnerabilities, implement new standards, and sometimes add features or improve the performance of your router.

Optional

If you configure your VPN on your router, firewall, or home server, then traffic from all devices will be encrypted and routed through it, without needing individual VPN apps.

Optional

When using a VPN, it is extremely important to exclusively use the DNS server of your VPN provider or secure service.

Optional

OpenVPN and WireGuard are open source, lightweight, and secure tunneling protocols. Avoid using PPTP or SSTP.

Optional

Use DNS-over-HTTPS which performs DNS resolution via the HTTPS protocol, encrypting data between you and your DNS resolver.

Optional

Typically they’re manufactured cheaply in bulk in China, with insecure propriety firmware that doesn't receive regular security updates.

Optional

You can whitelist MAC addresses in your router settings, disallowing any unknown devices to immediately connect to your network, even if they know your credentials.

Optional

It is possible for a malicious script in your web browser to exploit a cross-site scripting vulnerability, accessing known-vulnerable routers at their local IP address and tampering with them.

Optional

You should update your network name, choosing an SSID that does not identify you, include your flat number/address, and does not specify the device brand/model.

Optional

WiFi SSIDs are scanned, logged, and then published on various websites, which is a serious privacy concern for some.

Optional

Your router's Service Set Identifier is simply the network name. If it is not visible, it may receive less abuse.

Optional

Wi-Fi Protected Setup provides an easier method to connect, without entering a long WiFi password, but WPS introduces a series of major security issues.

Optional

Universal Plug and Play allows applications to automatically forward a port on your router, but it has a long history of serious security issues.

Optional

Do not grant access to your primary WiFi network to visitors, as it enables them to interact with other devices on the network.

Optional

Modifying your router admin panel's default IP address will make it more difficult for malicious scripts targeting local IP addresses.

Optional

Services like Telnet and SSH that provide command-line access to devices should never be exposed to the internet and should also be disabled on the local network unless they're actually needed.

Optional

Close any open ports on your router that are not needed. Open ports provide an easy entrance for hackers.

Optional

When protocols such as PING, Telnet, SSH, UPnP, and HNAP etc are enabled, they allow your router to be probed from anywhere in the world.

Optional

You should treat your router's admin panel with the utmost care, as considerable damage can be caused if an attacker is able to gain access.

Optional

It's common to want to pump your router's range to the max, but if you reside in a smaller flat, your attack surface is increased when your WiFi network can be picked up across the street.

Advanced

VPNs have their weaknesses. For increased security, route all your internet traffic through the Tor network.

Advanced

Connecting to even a secure WiFi network increases your attack surface. Disabling your home WiFi and connect each device via Ethernet.

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