Have you heard? New York City has become the first major city to open a center to protect against cybersecurity threats. The center is set in lower Manhattan with nearly 282 partners. As New York is the hub for American business and finances, it’s a particularly high-risk city for cyberattacks. 

But cyber threats aren’t only an issue for large businesses. It’s a common misconception that small home networks aren’t vulnerable to cyberattacks. The reality is if your home’s devices are connected to the internet, you’re at risk. 

But ‘at risk’ doesn’t mean all hope is lost! In this article, we’ll share all you need to know about home networking security and how you can keep your Manhattan, NY home safe. 

SEE ALSO: Mesh Networks Are Not the Solution for Home Wi-Fi

Does Your Network Need More Security? 

If you own routers, computers, smartphones, and other smart devices connected to the internet, and if you don’t want personal information to be stolen, then yes! You do need to think about network security. 

Ideally, every household in America should have a completely secure network. But most out-of-the-box devices and routers do not offer enough protection against cyberattacks. Even if you own the latest and greatest equipment, it’s not enough if the settings are weak. 

What Is a Cyberattack? 

When you hear of people’s credit card or social security numbers being stolen, it’s likely the result of a cyberattack. Cyberattacks are often random, seek to steal money or data, and are usually not personal. These criminals may be organized groups or amateur hackers working alone. 

Common Types of Cyberattacks 

To understand how cyberattacks work, it can help to know about different methods that hackers use. Many people are familiar with phishing scams, which attempt to steal user credentials or credit card numbers through fraudulent emails and text messages. 

‘Backdoor Trojan’ is another tactic that creates a vulnerability in networks and allows the attacker to take control of it. ‘Denial of Service’ overwhelms a network and prevents response, reducing performance. This is often a setup for another attack while the network is down. 

These methods can lead to significant financial losses that occur anywhere—in large and small networks, at homes and businesses. Any network connected to the internet is vulnerable to outside threats unless you upgrade your network security. 

How Can I Protect My Home Network? 

There are several measures you can take to safeguard your home network, including: 

1. Upgrade Software

Software upgrades don’t only add flashy new features. It also includes patches and security fixes for newly discovered threats and vulnerabilities. Previous hacking tactics can’t work on new software, so make sure your technology is always up to date! 

2. Adjust Software & Hardware Settings 

Factor-default configurations on software and hardware are often overly permissive. This makes them more user-friendly, but by changing certain settings, you’ll improve security. 

3. Change Default Passwords & Usernames

Many networking devices are preconfigured with default names and passwords to simplify setup. But these aren’t secure and may be readily available on the internet. Make sure you change them to something unique only your family could know or guess! 

4. Install a Network Firewall 

Firewalls are network security software programs that monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic. With a firewall at the boundary of your network, it will defend against external threats by blocking malicious activity and alerting you about it. 

 

Unsure how to do all of this yourself? A home networking professional can build a more secure home network for you. Total Home Technologies is Manhattan’s dedicated network installer, helping New Yorkers protect their personal information. 

Contact our networking experts here to upgrade your security today. We look forward to working with you!