I've been researching basic cyber security since Buzz-kill Braden told me I should secure my new smart thermostat.
This time last week, I was definitely a Cyber Security Dummy. Since I've learned a few simple basics, I thought I'd write a blog about it to help my Cyber Security Dummy friends.
To note, we have the Apple Airport Extreme, which made it really easy to make these adjustments. I haven't used other routers, but the internet should be able to help you figure out yours. I mean, come on.
1. Rename your Wi-fi network.
Your wifi network name should not contain personal information like your name or address. That information can help hackers target you.
2. Have a good password.
You should definitely change it from the default password that comes on your device, as those can be found online. And your password should have capital and lower-case letters, and numbers. But the most effective way to prevent password hacking it to have a long password. It's a good idea to make it a sentence (a favorite quote, a family motto, a scripture), and add a number that you'll remember with it (year of an event, scriptural reference, favorite number). Another tip I've heard for making passwords is use cities and the year you were there. If I went to Jerusalem in 2014, a password that I'd remember would be Jerusalem2014 (unfortunately, I have not been to Jerusalem).
If your router has the capability, set up a guest network for your visitors.
If a hacker is on the same wifi network as you, it makes it a lot easier for them to access personal information on your devices (do you do online banking? shopping?), which makes you vulnerable to identity theft.
This is also the case if you use public wifi (at a coffeshop, school, hotel, anywhere) without some sort of security software or hardware. I'll get into that later.
But your visitors aren't hackers, so why should that matter to you? Well, if your friend's device is hacked, and they've been logged on to your wifi, the hacker now has your wifi password and can access your personal info.
4. Hide your network.
If your router has the capability, make your wifi network a hidden one. What this means is that when you go to log in to wifi, your network won't be listed with the other discoverable networks. You'll have to add the network manually, typing in the name, selecting the security, and typing in the password. It's tedious, but your device will still be able to remember it, so you'll only have to do it once. Here's what the set-up looked like on mine:
5. Keep all your devices up to date.
All decent internet connected devices have regular updates as the manufacturers find weaknesses or flaws in their programming. The updates protect your device and network from new threats. Consider setting up a reminder in your calendar every few months to check for updates on all your internet-connected devices (router, computer, phone, TV, bluray player, gaming device, thermostat, etc.).
6. If you're really serious about cyber security, buy a device to help.
Two that I've been looking into, for different functions, are the Cujo and the Keezel.
To get the most out of these, you'll have to pay a monthly service fee. I resent monthly fees, but that's what pays the smart computer guys to keep updating your device so it stays safe from new threats, so it's a worthwhile cost, especially if you're doing personal, sensitive, or confidential things on your devices (small business owners, I'm talking to you ;)).
Cujo plugs into your router and is a firewall that protects your entire home (or office) network. It analyzes your regular internet activity so it can know when something is out of sorts. The device is $99. They have discount service packages upon initial purchase, but then it's $8.99/month. But I mean, look at it. It's so cute.
Keezel is a small battery-powered portable device (about the size of a computer mouse) that provides a secure connection to any wifi network. You can use it to safely connect to any public wifi, and your data will be kept safe and separate from the network. This is cool because you can keep it in your bag and bring it with you when you travel, so you can always have a secure connection without a hefty expensive data plan from your wireless carrier. It uses VPN technology, in case you're interested. The device itself is $119, and you don't have to get a service plan, but you have faster speed and greater capabilities and service if you do. They also have discount service packages upon initial purchase, but then it's $5/month. Less cute, but cool in other ways that make up for it.
The Keezel could actually be used to protect your home wifi network, like the cujo. Given the lower service fees, it's something worth considering. All your home devices would be protected on a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which is very secure. A potential con is that to connect to them away from home (like my Nest Thermostat), you would have to connect through another VPN, so you'd essentially have to have two keezels--one for home and one to have with you. At least that's how I understood it when I read this article about protecting a smart home. And you have to consider that, though it's run by a powerful battery, batteries die.
Note, it hasn't released yet, but if you're all-in, you can pre-order the keezel now.
I lean toward having both the cujo and a keezel, but haven't decided for sure yet. I'll have to do a cost analysis later. We're on a tight budget right now, so I'll have to save for a few months for either of these, but once they're in use I'll write about my experience with them.
Any cyber-related questions? I'm probably not the one to ask, but I might give you an answer anyway! I'm cool like that.
This time last week, I was definitely a Cyber Security Dummy. Since I've learned a few simple basics, I thought I'd write a blog about it to help my Cyber Security Dummy friends.
To note, we have the Apple Airport Extreme, which made it really easy to make these adjustments. I haven't used other routers, but the internet should be able to help you figure out yours. I mean, come on.
Your wifi network name should not contain personal information like your name or address. That information can help hackers target you.
3. Create a guest network.
If your router has the capability, set up a guest network for your visitors.
If a hacker is on the same wifi network as you, it makes it a lot easier for them to access personal information on your devices (do you do online banking? shopping?), which makes you vulnerable to identity theft.
This is also the case if you use public wifi (at a coffeshop, school, hotel, anywhere) without some sort of security software or hardware. I'll get into that later.
But your visitors aren't hackers, so why should that matter to you? Well, if your friend's device is hacked, and they've been logged on to your wifi, the hacker now has your wifi password and can access your personal info.
4. Hide your network.
If your router has the capability, make your wifi network a hidden one. What this means is that when you go to log in to wifi, your network won't be listed with the other discoverable networks. You'll have to add the network manually, typing in the name, selecting the security, and typing in the password. It's tedious, but your device will still be able to remember it, so you'll only have to do it once. Here's what the set-up looked like on mine:
5. Keep all your devices up to date.
All decent internet connected devices have regular updates as the manufacturers find weaknesses or flaws in their programming. The updates protect your device and network from new threats. Consider setting up a reminder in your calendar every few months to check for updates on all your internet-connected devices (router, computer, phone, TV, bluray player, gaming device, thermostat, etc.).
6. If you're really serious about cyber security, buy a device to help.
Two that I've been looking into, for different functions, are the Cujo and the Keezel.
To get the most out of these, you'll have to pay a monthly service fee. I resent monthly fees, but that's what pays the smart computer guys to keep updating your device so it stays safe from new threats, so it's a worthwhile cost, especially if you're doing personal, sensitive, or confidential things on your devices (small business owners, I'm talking to you ;)).
Keezel is a small battery-powered portable device (about the size of a computer mouse) that provides a secure connection to any wifi network. You can use it to safely connect to any public wifi, and your data will be kept safe and separate from the network. This is cool because you can keep it in your bag and bring it with you when you travel, so you can always have a secure connection without a hefty expensive data plan from your wireless carrier. It uses VPN technology, in case you're interested. The device itself is $119, and you don't have to get a service plan, but you have faster speed and greater capabilities and service if you do. They also have discount service packages upon initial purchase, but then it's $5/month. Less cute, but cool in other ways that make up for it.
The Keezel could actually be used to protect your home wifi network, like the cujo. Given the lower service fees, it's something worth considering. All your home devices would be protected on a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which is very secure. A potential con is that to connect to them away from home (like my Nest Thermostat), you would have to connect through another VPN, so you'd essentially have to have two keezels--one for home and one to have with you. At least that's how I understood it when I read this article about protecting a smart home. And you have to consider that, though it's run by a powerful battery, batteries die.
Note, it hasn't released yet, but if you're all-in, you can pre-order the keezel now.
I lean toward having both the cujo and a keezel, but haven't decided for sure yet. I'll have to do a cost analysis later. We're on a tight budget right now, so I'll have to save for a few months for either of these, but once they're in use I'll write about my experience with them.
Any cyber-related questions? I'm probably not the one to ask, but I might give you an answer anyway! I'm cool like that.
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