Ignoring Your Wi-Fi Network and Router Could Be Big Trouble!
This Month’s Cautionary Tale –
Once upon a time in Hollywood, there lived a happy couple named Mary and Jim. Every month, they paid for their internet service and didn’t think much about it.
Their home Wi-Fi network was set up by the internet company years ago.
One day, Mary turned on her laptop and was shocked to see a scary, grinning face on her screen. Panicked, she ran to the next room where Jim had just turned on his laptop and saw the same creepy image.
Below the face was a frightening message: “Pay me $2000 in bitcoin or I will delete all your family photos!”
Mary and Jim were stunned. They couldn’t believe this was happening to them. They didn’t know what to do. The images of their children and grandchildren would be lost if they didn’t pay.
In desperation, they paid the total of $4,000 in bitcoin to the criminal who had invaded their computers and their home. They even had to take a loan from the bank to cover the cost. It was a day filled with tears and sadness.
But what had gone wrong? How did this happen?
They asked their nerdy friend Charlie, who lived next door, to help them figure it out. After a few minutes, Charlie had the answer.
Their Wi-Fi network was like an open book – ANYONE nearby could easily invade it.
Their Wi-Fi network name was their last name – strike one!
Their Wi-Fi password was 123456 – strike two!
And the router that ran their Wi-Fi network had outdated firmware – strike three! It was wide open for anyone living in or just visiting their neighborhood.
From that day on, Mary and Jim learned the importance of securing their Wi-Fi network to keep their home and their memories safe.
Set up your Wi-Fi network and home router securely!
Why do it:
You don’t want your home network to be unsafe.
What to do:
1. Pick a Good Wi-Fi Name and Password:
Choose a Wi-Fi name (SSID) that doesn’t give away personal information.
Create a strong, memorable password.
Use Strong Encryption:
Choose WPA2 for Wi-Fi security (or WPA3 if available). This helps keep your data safe.
2. Enable the Firewall:
Make sure the router’s firewall is turned on to block unwanted traffic.
3. Turn Off Remote Management:
Disable remote management to prevent hackers from accessing your network.
4. Set Up the Router:
Use a unique, strong ID and password for the router’s admin settings.
Follow the router’s instructions to set up your network.
5. Update Firmware:
Check for updates on the router’s website at least once a year to keep it secure. If you’re not sure how to do this, ask a professional for help.
