10 disastrous misconceptions about your home Wi-Fi transmitter

Problems that confuse many people, believe in a certain way, is it absolutely true?

It is not surprising that most users do not fully understand the Wi-Fi (router) transmitter they are using. Routers and Wi-Fi waves are always complicated and confusing things. However today let us decipher these common rumors and questions.

1. Nobody wants to hack my network

There are two extremely misconceptions about this issue:

1. Hackers will be wasting time when attacking my data network.Hackers must be busy attacking big targets like celebrities, banks or credit card companies
2. Smaller networks will be more difficult to hack, so hackers won't take much time but the results are extremely limited.

These two concepts are quite related to each other and are wrong.

The first one is quite obvious while the second is based on an outdated truth. In the past, it was conceived that with the reduction of Wi-Fi coverage, hackers would not be able to find your Wi-Fi from your parking lot or sidewalk, they would not be able to hack.

Hackers can use powerful antennas that can detect all wireless connections in the neighborhood.

In the old days, this was true but now everything is different. Hackers now use high-powered antennas that can detect all wireless connections in the neighborhood . You may not be able to connect to Wi-Fi in your home garden, but that doesn't mean hackers can't.

Now come back to the first concept: it's not like to hack a personal network when the results are inadequate. This is really wrong completely. Vince Steckler, CEO of Avast Antivirus once stated:

"Today, security for routers reminds us of personal computer images in the 1990s. Subjectivity comes with security holes discovered every day that become a vulnerable environment for hackers. The biggest difference is that people now have more personal information stored on devices than they used to. "

So, if you think some credit cards with a few thousand USD debit account are not worth it, for those hackers those numbers are extremely attractive. Your card is always in sight and most will not recognize it until their card is used in the temple.

Not only are your credit cards and account information at stake, hackers can now hack into your wireless network to do more. With your stolen personal information, they can use it to open credit cards, bank loans or even home loans under your name. For ease of understanding, they will fake you and have all your personal information to make the bank trust.

2. Routers with 2 or 3 bands are not needed

Many people think that two- and three-band routers are only for computer nerds who need to use the latest technologies. In fact, most of us can use a router with at least two bands.

Most of us can use a router with at least two bands.

You can google to find out the benefits of multi-band routers . However, to summarize it is as follows: With the division of your devices in the frequency bands, you will expand the range of data network connectivity because the device will be in its own band. For example, you can put smart TVs on a frequency band, a computer working on a frequency band, the remaining band will be for entertainment devices like Kindle, iPad, iPhone .

Dividing devices like this will help to improve the stability of your wireless network.

3. 2.4GHz is better than 5 GHz and your router should install in this range, or vice versa

This concept is also somewhat correct but not completely. Each wave band has different strengths and weaknesses. For example, 5 GHz is more optimal when you want to avoid using a wireless network that has too many devices connected. Meanwhile, the 2.4 GHz is superior to the wide coverage as well as the ability to cross objects like concrete. However, it is difficult to conclude which wave band to use.

If you feel that the transmission speed is quite slow when the whole family is using Wi-Fi, try switching to the 5 GHz band. If you want to surf Facebook while sunbathing in the pool, then 2.4 GHz is your choice.The best range is the strip that best suits your needs.

4. Do not touch the router settings when it is installed by experts

This usually happens when you install Wi-Fi for your parents or when network operators come to your home. In fact, you can and should also log in to check the router's connections.

Of course, mischief is not recommended, but some of the settings below can greatly improve connectivity and security of your home Wi-Fi network.

You should always use WPA2 with AES encryption and a strong password.

Switch to a newer standard if possible: If you own a new router, switching from standard N to AC can bring a significant improvement in speed, even when switching from old standards like BG N. Change security mode: Some routers usually do not have a password, or with WEP encryption.You should always use WPA2 with AES encryption and a strong password.

Change the default login name and password: Over the years, operators around the world have always kept their login names and passwords in their default form. This is an elementary security error when there are hundreds of websites with name statistics as well as each router's default password with the corresponding model. In general, it is convenient for users and also convenient for hackers.

Disabling WPS: WPS or WI-Fi Protected Setup is usually enabled by default. It is designed to help users connect their mobile devices without remembering passwords. This means that hackers can also attack your Wi-Fi to get a WPS PIN, which can detect WPA / WPA2 access codes.

The fact that logging into the router and exploring a bit has never been a bad idea. There may be some strange settings, so it's best not to play. You might be surprised to see a lot of customization in the router's software.

5. Turning off the SSID will hide Wi-Fi from hackers

Wrong!

With the thought that hiding the SSID (Service Set Identifier) or actually simply your Wi-Fi name will make the hacker unable to find you. Although it does not appear on the wifi list in the neighbor's phone, it seems that it will help to increase security, in fact, it has proved the opposite.

When Wi-Fi is hidden, devices will tend to automatically connect when within range.

Computers using Windows 7 or newer are able to scan wireless networks without displaying names. For older machines, detecting hidden Wi-Fi networks is a simple task for someone who is a bit knowledgeable about computers.

With a hacker, it's as easy as eating candy.

Hiding SSID can also bring another problem. When Wi-Fi is hidden, devices will tend to automatically connect when within range. Hackers can place another access point with the same SSID as your wifi, and your computer or phone will automatically connect to it, paving the way for hackers to access your data.

6. Upgrade what the router does when it still runs smoothly

Every few years we see a new Wi-Fi standard released (the latest is AC) with connectivity as well as improved speed. When internet speeds exceed 50 Mbps, standard N may slow down your connection. If you live in an area with an internet speed of over 100 Mbps, you will not achieve that speed unless you use an AC standard router.

So, although it is not essential, those who spend money on hardware devices and high-speed internet networks should extract an amount to invest in the router whenever a new standard is introduced.

It is recommended to extract an amount to invest in the router whenever a new standard is introduced.

7. WEP is safe enough for you when at home

WEP has never been considered safe, especially when it has been released for too long and has WPA2-AES replaced. WEP reviewers now secure as a network . do not use secure passwords. It can even be cracked in minutes with just a smartphone.

8. When using WPA2-AES, the router cannot be hacked

In theory, AES encryption has yet to be cracked. It is estimated that it will take a billion years to unlock AES using the wrong algorithm.

However, things are not always up to the manufacturer's standards.The power of AES depends entirely on the user when it needs a strong password (over 8 characters, including both uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters .) to achieve security parameters. Secret above.

Therefore, we need to care more about creating and remembering a "strong" password because hackers sometimes do not need to crack the encryption key to find out the password if you set the password as 123456, password or abcqwe. .

If you feel your Wi-Fi connection is a bit slow, it's likely because of AES encryption on older routers.

9. WPA2-AES is reducing the transmission speed

From a technical perspective, this is absolutely true. However, you can overcome that problem with a simple upgrade.

New routers have an AES encryption engine to minimize the data bandwidth burden.

If you feel your Wi-Fi connection is a bit slow, it's likely because of AES encryption on older routers. Previous routers are usually produced based on the protocol as well as other standards, such as WPA2-TKIP . TKIP is the previous generation of WEP, although more secure, it is actually a stepping stone to protect WEP users while the new protocol, WPA2 with AES encryption is developed.

Older routers will often need a firmware upgrade to be compatible with the new AES encryption. And sometimes incompatibilities will make the network slow.

10. Secure transmission is excessive when a firewall or anti-virus software is available

Firewalls and antivirus programs can protect you from malicious codes on the network or in the data you have downloaded, capable of stealing data or remote control when you surf the web. However, neither of them has the ability to protect your computer when connected to a router or access point.

Meanwhile encryption is designed to protect data sent and received between the computer and router. Therefore, both encryption and antivirus software or firewalls (or both) are needed to protect you online.

Hopefully the above article helps you understand more about how your home Wi-Fi works and equips yourself with additional knowledge to protect yourself and your personal information.