The pandemic that swept the globe in 2020 contributed to our homes becoming not only our sanctuary but also our offices, schools, and entertainment centers. When workplaces moved to our living space and online, cybersecurity in the digital age became part of our home security, demanding diligence and a different approach to safety measures that protect our personal and company data.
Nowadays, as remote work becomes the norm, security demands surge due to crucial data breaches, malware, and other software risks and vulnerabilities. That’s why it’s essential to take proactive steps such as private registration for a domain, using strong, unique passwords for all accounts, enabling two-factor authentication where available, regularly updating software and security protocols, and educating yourself and family members about phishing scams and online safety practices, to protect your digital haven. This ensures your home remains a peaceful sanctuary, safeguarded against all sorts of lurking cyber threats.
Evolving Landscape of Home Cybersecurity
The world is almost entirely digitally interconnected, allowing us to find data about anyone or anything in seconds. However, the possibility of private or sensitive ending up in the wrong hands is real and always present. Every application or website you enter stores needed information such as your IP address, usernames, and passwords.
All of these things must be kept safe so that privacy invasion and identity theft don’t happen. Social media platforms and many websites keep your data encrypted and safe so that it’s not susceptible to data breaches and information leaks. Still, a cyber attack can be aimed directly at your wireless router or connected IoT devices, which, if left unprotected, jeopardize the security of your home and expose business data entrusted to you.
Protect Your Digital Haven
Cybersecurity, a system of measures to fortify your home against digital threats, is indispensable now. Even so, not every household prioritizes such procedures, making them susceptible to data breaches, DDoS attacks, cloud access, unsafe IoT devices, malware, phishing attempts, ransomware, MITM attacks, and other threats.
Your household network consists of IoT devices highly susceptible to malware infections. All smart devices such as phones, watches, refrigerators, other household appliances, TVs, and even cars, which are now known as “IoT devices on wheels,” are potential entryways for malicious actors. If someone hacks into one of these devices, they could be an entry point for a more serious cyber threat.
Enabling WPA3 encryption, changing your passwords regularly, implementing firewalls and guest networks, and regularly keeping track of firmware updates will keep your home safer and easier to monitor. To help you evade and prevent such cyber threats, we’ve listed measures you can take to keep your home safe from digital intruders and hackers.
Secure Your Router
Your wireless router is the most important internet device, as every other device on the network connects to it, so keeping your home safe starts with a foolproof router. The best way to secure your wireless home router from potential cyber threats is to change the default username and password.
Every router has an SSID, a network name, and a password. Change your router name and credentials to something that won’t be guessed as easily as the default router credentials given by the manufacturers. A unique and robust username and password create another layer of security for your network.
Change Your Passwords Regularly
Make sure to change your Wi-Fi passwords occasionally or use a separate router for your IoT devices to avoid having too many appliances on your home network. Pick strong router and router admin passwords, and change those occasionally, especially if you notice any weird activity.
Install Firewalls and Antiviruses
You can implement firewall protection directly on your router, but you can also arm every device with its separate firewall and antivirus for added protection. Adding WPA3 encryption and securing your IoT devices will prevent unwanted malware infections, data breaches, and other cyber attacks.
Set Up Guest Networks
Monitor the devices that have access to your network and set up guest networks for outsiders and your IoT devices. This way, you’ll separate the networks you use for work and entertainment.
Enable Biometric and Two-Factor Authentication
If available, set up a two-factor authentication on any important data and information you have. Even if your password is breached, biometric authentication ensures your data isn’t accessible.
Avoid Public Networks
Avoid open networks at all costs, and don’t manage your smart devices on public networks as they make them a target for cyberattacks. You should install a VPN when using a shared network to secure digital privacy.
Have Backups
Always have Cloud storage or USB backups of valuable personal or business documentation. Keeping backups of useful information provides another layer of cybersecurity.
Why is Safeguarding Your Digital Domain Important
The increasing amount of cyber threats, malware, and data breaches should be a cause of concern for our cybersecurity. By safeguarding your digital domain, you can lower the risk of cyberattacks and ensure the privacy and protection of your own and your company’s sensitive data. As a remote worker or someone with sensitive business information at home, safeguarding your digital network will prevent financial losses and defend against cybercrime such as hacking and identity theft.
Author Bio:
David Todva is a renowned freelance writer based in the United States whose quality of writing has been proven by his years of experience. He is an expert in several different technology-related topics, ranging from cyber safety to residential security.
