How to secure your Router
Before we start
THIS it NOT a way to secure your router:
THIS it NOT a way to secure your router:
Change the default password
Your router should ALWAYS have changed the password, a default password can cause you big troubles!
This is not a good password: abc123
But this is a good password: I2tX3ZPz2hMszg
If you don't know what you wanna change your password to, there is a great generator HERE
Your router should ALWAYS have changed the password, a default password can cause you big troubles!
This is not a good password: abc123
But this is a good password: I2tX3ZPz2hMszg
If you don't know what you wanna change your password to, there is a great generator HERE
Disable Remote Management
"Remote Management" is a feature where your router can be administered remotely. In other words, it does so you can control your router anywhere on the internet.
While this setting (coupled with a very strong password) might make sense for a handful of people, for most folks there's absolutely no need to administer the router from anywhere but the local machines connected to it.
Make sure that remote management setting is off.
"Remote Management" is a feature where your router can be administered remotely. In other words, it does so you can control your router anywhere on the internet.
While this setting (coupled with a very strong password) might make sense for a handful of people, for most folks there's absolutely no need to administer the router from anywhere but the local machines connected to it.
Make sure that remote management setting is off.
Turn off Logging
Ok,
you just need to make sure its off, most routers dosen't even have this
feature, and them who has it likely have it off by default.
Disable the logging, and no information will be kept on the router, or sent to any other machine.
Turn off Universal Plug and Play
Universal
Plug and Play (Known as UPnP), is a technology tat alows software
running on your machine to perform serices like port forwarding without
your having to go in and configure the router manually.
It turns out that malware can also be
UPnP aware, and can make all sorts of malicious changes to your router
without your being involved or aware.
(Just so you know: UPnP is NOT releated to "Windows Plug and Play" hardware detection, it's just have a similar name)
Add a WPA Key
It's time for another password, this time to secure and encrypt your wireless connection.
First: Use WPA, preferably WPA2. DON'T use WEP. WEP encryption turns out to be easily crackable.
Second: Select a good, secure key/password, whatever you call it. Just use the same password generator as before which can be found HERE
Second: Select a good, secure key/password, whatever you call it. Just use the same password generator as before which can be found HERE
Having a strong WPA password ensures
that only machines you allow on your network an see your network, your
traffic, and your router.
Don't Forget The Physical
All
of your routers security settings can be reset in a flash if someone has
physical access to the device. Almost all routers have a "reset to
factory defaults" mechanism - typically by holding a reset button for a
certain amount of time. If someone can walk up to your router and do
that, then all the security settings you've just enabled may be
instantly erased.
Only you can judge whether or not you need this extra level of physical security, but make sure to consider it.
Written by Arcus
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