- The use of tough passwords, WPA3 encryption, managing SSID settings, creating a guest network, updating the firmware, and firewalls can go a long way toward secure, healthy wireless connections.
With an increasingly connected world, it has become more important than ever to secure a Wi-Fi network against the unauthorised access of personal information and the general safety of those accessing the internet.
Here are six powerful methods that can help in keeping the risks associated with unauthorised access and data breach at bay.
- Strong Passwords: That’s your first line of defense against unauthorised access to any Wi-Fi network: an extremely strong password. A password must contain a combination of upper-case and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols in order to create a password that is difficult to guess. Do not use easy passwords, such as birthday type or common words. Changing your passwords regularly would also increase security.
- Enable WPA3: Select WPA3 to encrypt a Wi-Fi network for it to be connected with WPA3 encryption, which is the latest encryption offered to provide more benefits for unauthorised access. If it does, enable WPA3 on your router to completely protect your network from any threats. If it isn’t available, WPA2 will be the next best choice, but it’s always better to get up to date as the new standards come out.
- Disable the Service Set Identifier (SSID) Broadcast: All routers, including many intruder ones, are found while broadcasting their SSIDs, which allow them to find the available networks. Making this broadcasting inactive will make your network less visible to such users. This will seem like an additional layer of security but, remember, the attackers would still be able to discover hidden networks with much determination.
- Establish Guest Networking: Visitors may need to browse the Internet freely, and this will cost the home network nothing regarding security breaches. Assign different guest password configurations to the network and restrict access to local resources, which may include printers and shared files. The primary network’s security remains intact while minimising exposure to guest devices carrying malware.
- Update Router Firmware Regularly: Firmware updates are usually released by manufacturers to add repair improvements due to existing functionalities and security vulnerabilities. Check for updates regularly and renew them as soon as possible. That’s how your router gets all the latest and most secure features, and that really could make a small impact on exposing cybercriminal harm.
- Network Firewalls: Firewalls can provide an additional layer of protection to the network that goes beyond a simple router. Most routers also have an internal firewall with in-built functions that would filter the incoming and outgoing traffic. For extra security, it is also advisable to use software firewalls on other devices to build multiple barriers against threats.
Enterprise Wi-Fi authentication methods
Enterprise Wi-Fi Networks have strong authentication methods to protect sensitive data and give each authorised user access to network resources. Different authentication methods are used in enterprise environments against each other’s advantages and disadvantages as well as security implications.
- WPA2-Enterprise with EAP: Â
The widely popular business networking model is WPA2-Enterprise and WPA3-Enterprise, for which authentication is done through EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol). Authentication mechanisms that come under EAP include EAP-TLS, EAP-PEAP, and EAP-TTLS. EAP-TLS is extremely secured, using digital certificates for both the client and for the server, thus enabling mutual authentication, which, however, is complex management of certificates.
On the contrary, EAP-PEAP encapsulates a second EAP exchange within a secure tunnel created by TLS, allowing passwords or credentials with less exposure during transmission. Wi-Fi Enterprise is based on user-specific authentication unlike simpler mechanisms such as WEP or WPA-Personal, which depend on a shared password or a pre-shared key. Hence for organisations dealing with confidential information, secure authentication is ensured by this network in place.
The primary advantage of Wi-Fi Enterprise is in its scalability. As the added benefit, this situation can permit offers for making dynamic assignments and revoking credentials when employees join or leave the organisation.
Moreover, the Wi-Fi Enterprise network is endowed with enhanced logging and monitoring capabilities. The network administrator would then be able to monitor user access and their behaviors, resulting in superior auditing and compliance with regulations, for example, with HIPAA or GDPR. Highly detailed logs would, during cases of security breach, even go as far as assisting incident response procedures within organisations’ walls as they move in quick time to identify and remediate vulnerability.
- RADIUS
Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) is a centralised Authentication server used for verifying the credentials of users. Most often, it is integrated with WPA2-Enterprise to provide an additional layer of security. For example, in case a user wants to access the Network, the access point forwards the user’s credentials directly to the RADIUS server to authenticate the user. RADIUS, in that case, provides a centralised way of administering user accounts easily across the network and can enforce policies.
- Port-Based Network Access Control with 802.1X
802.1 X is a network access control protocol that usually accompanies WPA2-Enterprise. It allows authentication before getting access to the network by a device. 802.1X is the process of checking the identity of devices wanting to connect to a network resource. Hence, only devices with the valid credentials are allowed to access the network. This can drastically reduce the number of unauthorised access cases, especially in an environment with security concerns.
- MAC Authentication
Media Access Control (MAC) authentication enables any network to recognise and control devices using a unique MAC address. Such an authentication type provides a low level of security, and for this reason, it’s largely ineffective. This vulnerability stems from an individual’s potential to spoof or change their MAC address. However, in smaller or less critical environments, simple applying it to approved devices can serve as an introductory means of accessing them.
Best authentication type for Wi-Fi
The two major types best known for their effectiveness are WPA2-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 – Pre-Shared Key) and WPA3. WPA2-PSK has been used widely for home and small business networks for many years. With this authentication means a pre-shared key which users need to enter to gain access into the network; it gives the network high security employing AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption, thus making it difficult for any unauthorised users to intercept the data that is transmitted into the network.
However, its security can be compromised depending on the strength of the passwords because weak passwords might enable brute force attacks. WPA3, however, incorporated improved protection features into its design with Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) in it, enhancing password-based authentication all but hiding it from dictionary attacks in the offline mode. It also provides individual data encryption to keep devices on the same network having a higher degree of privacy and pushing a button for easy device connection.
Wi-Fi authentication server
A Wi-Fi authentication server, which incorporates the RADIUS authentication protocol, is necessary for verifying individual user credentials and granting secure access on the network. In general, the Wi-Fi authentication server tends to handle the requests arising due to user’s connection to Wi-Fi network. An authentication request might be sent as a device wants to join a Wi-Fi network.
On receiving such requests, Wi-Fi authentication server will forward them to the request, cross-referencing with a database of user credentials such as usernames and passwords, digital certificates, or other identification forms.
The best advantage of Wi-Fi authentication server is that it adds extra security. Therefore, it’s possible to apply robust password strategies, two-way authentication, and standard access audits. Hence it becomes very hard for unauthorised users or intruders to gain access to the network. Furthermore, excellent authentication methods may reduce risks that arise due to gaps in weaker protocols or outdated standards of encryption.
Besides serving security purposes, Wi-Fi authentication servers can also make network administration much easier. They facilitate the addition and removal of users from the access lists, record attempts made to connect, and generate reports that would eventually inform policy decisions or signal possible security breaches.
Such Wi-Fi orchestration layers that bind together authentication servers permit seamless user experiences, such as the one in single sign-on, where users log in via one set of credentials to multiple networks or services.
Wi-Fi authentication problem
Authentication problems are very common among users who try to connect devices with the Wi-Fi network. Most of these errors stem from wrong credential input, including all configuration errors which lead to the security of the network denying access to the internet. Understanding the causes as well as troubleshooting methods of Wi-Fi authentication problems improve the user experience and brings down the level of frustration.
One leading cause of Wi-Fi authentication problems might be that incorrect network password entry takes place. Besides this, many routers today also have complex security protocols. Older gadgets cannot support some of these protocols.
Hence, there is a possibility that the connection fails. Apart from the meddling and faint coverage of the connection, another cause of problems in authentication is trapped interference by the network. Physical entities, such as simple three-dimensional walls or another form of furniture, can disrupt the wireless signal. In addition, some electrical appliances may interfere at similar frequencies, which cause annoyance in making a connection.
Router configuration compatibility issues may as well intensify authentication issues. Sometimes, connectivity problems develop in routers as a result of outdated firmware. Malfunctions will exist in a router as a result of wrong settings like MAC address filtering or the network visibility status.
There are several steps to follow in troubleshooting a Wi-Fi authentication problem. First, one needs to confirm that the password that has been typed matches what is in the network’s configuration. If it is still not functional, then resetting and starting the router, along with the affected device, works on some temporary glitches. Other steps include ensuring that the router firmware is updated as well as ensuring that the device supports the security protocol in use when experiencing Wi-Fi authentication problems.
Keeping a wireless network safe and sound as possible includes not just strong practices but also an active stance. The use of tough passwords, WPA3 encryption, managing SSID settings, creating a guest network, updating the firmware, and firewalls can go a long way toward secure, healthy wireless connections. Today, most cybercrime problems can be solved by taking these precautions regarding your digital life.