5 steps to make sure hackers cannot access your home network and files

September 14, 2023

By Kim Komando

Hackers may have already compromised your network. Tap or click here for a free test to see if your router has been hacked. Keep reading for ways to protect your system from hackers.

This tip is brought to you by our sponsor, ExpressVPN. Protect your privacy. Get three months free when you sign up for one year at ExpressVPN.com/Kim.

1. Keep everything up to date

Security threats continually evolve, so you must keep your browser updated. Updates help protect you from the latest spreading viruses and attacks. Tap or click here to find out if you are using the newest version of your browser.

Even more important, update your operating system regularly. Windows releases frequent (though sometimes buggy) updates, and missing any can mean severe consequences for your security. The same goes for Macs.

Most Windows PCs download and install updates automatically by default. If you haven’t changed your automatic update settings, you might not need to change a thing. If you’ve turned automatic updates off, you can update manually. 

Apple’s macOS receives its updates through the Mac App Store. Open the App Store app, and click Updates. Tap Update to download and install.

2. Test your firewall

Even if cybercriminals can see your network, a firewall helps to prevent them from getting inside and doing any damage. Make sure your firewall is on.

For Windows, open Settings > Update & Security. Choose Windows Security from the left-hand menu. Choose Firewall & Network Protection to open the firewall menu. 

Your system will tell you whether your firewall is on or not. If it’s off, you can toggle it on or reset the settings to default by clicking on Restore firewalls to default.

For Mac, open System Preferences, then click Security and Privacy. Click the Lock Icon to make changes and enter your admin username and password. Then select Turn on Firewall.

One more important step

Tap or click here to test that your firewall is working. These port scans will ensure you’re keeping bad actors out of your system.

3. Remove extra browser add-ons and hosts files in Windows

Most browser extensions are safe-to-use tools that enhance your internet experience, but some are malicious. Regularly comb through your list of extensions and remove any you don’t recognize or don’t use anymore.

In Chrome: Visit the Chrome Web Store menu to see a list of all your currently installed extensions. Remove them by clicking Remove from Chrome. Click the Library tab and delete the extension from there as well.

In Firefox: Click on the three-line menu button and click Add-ons, followed by Extensions. Scroll through the list of extensions and click the three-dot icon next to the extensions you want to remove. Select Remove to delete them from your browser.

In Safari: Choose Safari > Preferences, then click Extensions. To turn off an extension, deselect its checkbox. To uninstall an extension, select the extension and click the Uninstall button. 

Tip in a Tip: When it comes to browsers, some are better than others. Tap or click here for a comparison of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge and Tor.

Windows users should check the host file to see if attackers have made any unusual configurations. This file can override your DNS and redirect URLs to different locations, like malicious websites.

Tap the Windows Key + R on your keyboard and paste C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts into it. Next, tap Run.

In the pop-up menu that appears, select Notepad to open the file. Scroll through and note any unusual or garbled-looking text. Copy the data here into another text document as a backup, and delete the unusual entries. Click File, then Save to make the changes.

4. See who else is using your Wi-Fi

Network intruders can slow down your internet speed and interfere with your data. It’s worth knowing who else might be logged in and using it.

To see all the devices connected to your network, open your router’s settings menu. To do this, type your IP address into the address bar of your web browser. You can usually find this address on the sticker attached to the bottom of your router, but most use the default address of 192.168.1.1. 

Or you can tap or click here for a handy website that lists default IP addresses for thousands of different routers.

Then, log in with your username and password. This is your router’s default username and password or a unique login you created when you set it up. You can call your ISP for assistance if you’re unsure what your login is.

When you’re logged into your router settings, look for an option that looks like “Attached Devices, “Connected Devices” or “Client List.” It shows you all the devices using your connection.

Scroll through the list and note anything that you don’t recognize. Usually, you can kick them off from this menu as well.

SAVE SOME CASH: You’re probably paying more than you need for the internet. Tap or click here for seven clever ways to lower your monthly bill.

5. Hide your Wi-Fi network from public view

By default, your router broadcasts its network name (SSID) for you and your guests to find easily. This also means anyone looking for your network can attempt to join. You can stop it from broadcasting its connection so only people who know your router’s exact name can try to join.

To do this, log into your router’s settings and locate the menu for wireless settings. Look for the broadcasting option for your SSID, which is most often enabled by default. Toggle that option off.

Make sure you write down your SSID before disabling the broadcast. Otherwise, you might find yourself locked out of your network.

With a bit of work, you can make your network much safer. My advice? Take some time to secure your connection. Your future self will thank you.

Bonus: Protect your private info with a VPN

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