Washington: Not all that long ago, managing your home network’s security didn’t involve much more than installing an antivirus programme on your computer. If only it were still to remain so simple.
Changing times
It’s no long just about protecting the computer on which you may be working from home. Or the laptops the kids may be using as online school starts. Odds are good you’ve got a few other internet-connected devices around the house as well. They may be phones, tablets, game consoles, maybe a ‘smart’ TV or thermostat or refrigerator. Some homes may also have a security camera or video-streaming gadget or voice-activated digital valet.
Increase in use of gadgets
The average US home now has 11 such devices, according to Deloitte, many of which are vulnerable to hacking. Other European and Asian countries including India is also becoming more and more gadget friendly.
If you don’t want cyber cat burglars traipsing across them, potentially spreading malware or ransomware as they go, you’ll want to secure your entire home network.
Major risks
Home networks are a major target for cybercriminals. They use innocuous smart gadgets as stepping stones to loot data from PCs and phones. Or they may co-opt these simpler devices into much larger ‘botnets’. These ‘botnets’ then can be used to wreak havoc across the internet.
On average, one in three internet connections from home networks are made through devices other than computers or phones. So there’s lots of opportunity for mischief if you don’t lock your virtual windows.
Seeking help elsewhere
You can do it yourself, but that can be a lot of work, and the potential consequences of any mistakes could be significant. For most people, it makes better sense to pay for a network-protection service. It can be offered by your internet provider or another business. Even though it will incur expenses, it is better to get protection.
Think of your home network as a bunch of cans tied to each other with strings. Those are all your in-house devices and the data they share with each other. Now picture each of those cans tied to thousands of other strings outside your home.
They are data connections your devices routinely make to other devices on the global internet. It’s beyond our capacity to constantly monitor all those connections. So help is certainly needed.
How the process works
A good network-security service sets up firewalls to block unwanted data traffic, but it doesn’t stop there. Since firewalls are imperfect. It will also monitor network traffic using artificial intelligence to detect unusual patterns. The firewall keeps an eye on both your devices and malicious internet domains. It alerts you to potential threats and blocking suspicious websites.
Typically, you’ll be able to configure your security and respond to alerts from a laptop or phone. Providers let you block unauthorised users and websites from connecting to your home gadgets.
Parents can also often use these services to set rules on the websites kids can visit and limits on screen time.
Internet providers now frequently offer security suites if you rent your modem or router from them. So talk to your service provider now. As you need to protect yourself from cybercriminals.