Protecting Your Wireless Network at Your Apartment in The Villages, FL
Protecting the wireless network at your apartment home is an important factor to consider when setting up any kind of wireless Internet connection. If your network is not locked down, it means that random people can tap into your wireless signal and use up your download limit, take up bandwidth, and even access your files and personal information.
Therefore, it is imperative that you know how to protect the wireless network at your apartment in The Villages, FL. Some of the most popular techniques that you can use to protect your network include:
• Turn encryption on – Activating your router’s encryption is a major step in limiting access to any network. Routers typically leave the manufacturer with encryption disabled, so be sure to check this immediately after you or your Internet provider install your router. To turn on encryption, you will need to select a network password. Longer passwords containing complex alphanumeric strings are much more effective than shorter passwords based on discoverable information like family names or birthdays.
• Make use of firewalls – Wireless routers often come with a firewall system built in, but again many come out of the box with the firewall turned off. Read your router’s manual and make sure that the firewall feature is activated immediately after your network connects to the Internet.
• Change default settings – While we already mentioned setting up a network password, it is also important to change the factory default settings on the passwords that protect your device settings and administrative privileges. In this way, you’ll have an extra level of protection to ensure that you are in total control of your network’s settings and features.
• Don’t broadcast – Finally, make sure that the name of your network, or SSID, is not being broadcast to the public. While broadcasting a network name is useful for libraries, airports, and other locales that have public Wi-Fi hotspots, it’s an unnecessary feature in a home network and should be turned off. After all, one of the easiest ways to protect your signal is to avoid detection entirely.
Hopefully, these techniques will help you keep the wireless network at your PepperTree apartment home reserved for your use only. If you’re not yet one of our residents but would like to know more about our lovely apartment community, contact PepperTree Apartment Homes today. If you stop by our leasing office, we’ll be happy to take you on a tour of our facilities and show you our many luxurious community amenities.