7 ways to protect your network from wardriving attacks

Wardriving involves driving around to find available Wi-Fi networks, identifying vulnerable access points, and exploiting them for criminal purposes. Hackers can install malware on your devices and steal your usernames, passwords, and other sensitive data to commit fraud, steal your identity, or fulfill different malicious needs.

They use a mobile device, GPS, a wireless network card or antenna, and wardriving software to crack passwords and access encrypted networks.

Accessing a secure network is not impossible, but it’s significantly more complex, so hackers typically find easier targets. The following steps will safeguard your network and keep wardriving attacks at bay.

1.   Change the router’s default username and password

Although it depends on the manufacturer, most routers’ username and password are “admin.” Still, anyone can find every model’s default credentials online, so changing them is crucial.

Don’t forget to change your wireless network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier) – its default name, which usually includes the router’s brand. Use something that doesn’t identify you or your home so that potential hackers can’t guess it.

2.   Disable SSID broadcast

Most routers’ SSID broadcast is a default setting to make your network visible and easily accessible. Disabling SSID broadcast will prevent potential hackers from seeing and accessing it.

How can you connect to Wi-Fi, then? Your wireless network will show up as “Unnamed Network,” and you can connect to it like always. The benefit is no one else will know if it comes from your or someone else’s home.

3.   Enable encryption

Encryption is utterly necessary for your router, preventing unauthorized users from accessing your network and connected devices.

Set up the highest network security protocol – WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3). If your router supports only WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), WPA, or WPA2, it’s high time you replaced it with a newer model supporting the latest generation in wireless network security.

The same goes for your devices. Using newer models compatible with WPA3 is wiser and more cost-effective in the long run than relying on older counterparts that make wardriving and other attacks a piece of cake.

4.   Configure a firewall

A firewall will add an extra protection layer to your network, monitoring it 24/7 to detect and block unauthorized users. Setting up a firewall is straightforward. Go to your router’s admin panel, find firewall settings, and click “Enable,” “Save,” and “Apply.”

5.   Keep your devices and apps up to date

Hardware and software updates may be annoying, but they’re crucial for security. The latest security patches address vulnerabilities that could lead potential cybercriminals straight into your network.

Don’t postpone or ignore device and app updates; install them as soon as they roll out. It will take only a few minutes and provide the necessary protection from wardriving and other potential attacks.

6.   Set up a guest Wi-Fi network

What if a friend comes over and connects their unsecured or compromised device to your network? They could open the door to hackers eager to access your system. Guest Wi-Fi is the best solution.

Setting up a guest Wi-Fi network is a perfect way to protect your connected devices and data because your guests can connect to it instead of your primary home network.

This solution is also ideal if you use multiple IoT devices, as you can connect them to a separate network that doesn’t allow access to private and sensitive data.

7.   Install a VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is your best chance to ward off cybercriminals. It will do a lot for your cybersecurity, even if you disregard specific rules. For instance, a VPN download on your mobile devices will ensure that you always connect to secure networks. After all, unfamiliar networks might lack all the security steps we have listed.

However, installing VPNs on devices at home is also a brilliant decision. You can browse the internet anonymously, with even your ISP (Internet Service Provider) unable to monitor your online activity. They wouldn’t be able to throttle your bandwidth either.

So, it is a handy app whether you are going online at home or somewhere else. Also, even if wardriving attacks target you, they won’t be able to steal credentials as VPN encrypts all traffic exchanged.

Conclusion

Accessing unsecured networks is a walk in the park for hackers. Whether they rely on wardriving or another malicious act, they can quickly crawl into a system with poor or no security.

Don’t be an easy target. Follow the steps above to make your network so challenging to access that potential criminals give up and look for another with a wide-open backdoor.

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