Tips to Protect Your Network From Cyberthreats

In just a few months, COVID-19 drastically altered the way wework. As lockdowns were enforced and many adapted to working from home,replacing face-to-face activities with digital tools and collaborationplatforms became the new norm. These changes also raised concerns aboutcybersecurity and how we can prevent access to sensitive information thathackers seek to take advantage of, given the now semi or fully permanent remoteworkforce.

There are many ways to protect our data, but it all starts withsecuring our networks. That's because a vulnerable network exposes opens a widedoorway to unauthorized users and hackers, subsequently leaving our devices andour data vulnerable to data leakage and a wide array of other digital attackssuch as viruses, theft and fraud.

We recently conducted a survey with Angus Reid to examine howCanadians perceive network security, and our findings suggest most Canadians(93 percent) take their network protection seriously. However, our researchalso suggests we still have work to do when it comes to taking the necessaryprecautions to minimize the risk of being hacked as a net 21 percent ofrespondents indicated they rarely or never review their device security andprivacy settings.

To help Canadians keep their networks safe, we've compiled a list ofcybersecurity habits people can practice in their homes.

Changethe name of your Wi-Fi

Manufacturers automatically assign default names to their routers.When a hacker sees your Wi-Fi signal name and knows the provider, it gives themthe information needed to find the router model and exploit any vulnerabilitiesthe device may have. By changing the name of your service set identifier, or SSID,to something unique to you, it will be harder for hackers to access yournetwork. The more generic, the better. You should also avoid setting a namethat reveals any of your personal information such as your name, birthday, oraddress, and steer clear of Wi-Fi names like Lauren's Wi-Fi'. Instead, opt forsomething bland like Home'.

Canadians are doing well on this front: our findings indicate that67 percent of Canadians change the default settings on their networks. However,as working from home continues to be a part of our new normal, it's important thatthis figure rises to 100 percent. Network security hygiene is playing anincreasingly important role in protecting personal and work-related informationsimultaneously, and it's time that our behaviour adapts to accommodate.

Seta complicated password and change it frequently

Along with a default network name, routers come with factorypasswords which are easy for hackers to find online as manufacturers providethe same settings to many devices. In addition to changing your SSID you shouldalso change the password provided, which is done by only 40 percent ofCanadians every time. Concerningly, 21 percent of respondents indicated this isnot a priority. Changing a password takes only a few minutes but prevents youfrom becoming victim to a lifetime and wide array of cybersecurity issues. However,passwords should also be kept personal. Our research indicates that only 58percent of Canadians keep their network password to themselves. This can openthe door to more cyber issues as it can give individuals access to otherconnected devices.

Hideyour network and placement matters

Your network doesn't have to be publicly available. You can blockyour Wi-Fi from unnecessarily showing up on other people's devices when theysearch for a signal by preventing your router from sending out its identifier.While only 58 percent of Canadians take device protection and privacy settingsvery seriously, with more and more people working from home it is important toraise awareness around network security and protection so individuals canminimize their risk of a cybersecurity issue.

It's also important to consider where your router is placed bothin your home and at your business. Take note of your surroundings: does yourapartment balcony back onto a parking lot where a hacker could spend a fewcomfortable hours working to break your network security? How about your homeoffice, living room table or wherever you're able to work remotely? This isbest practice that even some of the most seasoned IT pros often forget.

Updateyour firmware and take advantage of firewalls

All routers run a software called firmware which sets the securitystandards for your Wi-Fi network and protects your devices against the latestthreats. Manufacturers are always working to fix flaws in their firmware, butnot all routers will update this automatically. According to our research, 83percent of working Canadians automatically install system upgrades, while 15percent install them manually. As many routers do not upgrade firmware on theirown, we encourage you to keep tabs on your router's latest updates so you caninstall it whenever possible to minimize the risk of a breach.

In addition, using a firewall adds an extra layer of security toprotect your network. Most routers have a firewall, but it needs to be turnedon through the device's settings. We found 93 percent of working Canadiansbelieve it's important to protect the data on their network, using firewalls isan added security measure that helps prevent sensitive information from beingstolen. This is because firewalls typically look out for any external attemptsto access your network and block out communication from sources you don'tpermit.

With decades of experience, CDW can objectively assess your organization's cybersecurity practices and create a strategy that helps you predict, prevent and quickly respond to evolving cyberattacks. To learn more, visit cdw.ca/cybersecurity.