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Let’s be honest, its easily over looked, the most important network – your own one.

The rise of internet-connected devices in the home has brought many conveniences, but it has also increased the potential for security threats. Face it, people like us/the government/whatnot are always looking for a way in, and for your average Joe malware infections are a significant risk, with hackers & script kiddies using a range of attack vectors to gain access to your network and steal or encrypt your data. In this article, we will explore how you can secure your home network from potential malware infections.

Keep your devices and software up to date

One of the most basic and essential steps to protect your network from malware is to keep your devices and software up to date. Updates often contain security patches and bug fixes that address known vulnerabilities. Ensure that all devices connected to your network, including your router are set to automatically update when new patches are available (if you use OpenWRT on it – which i highly recommend, then check the site for updates on a regular basis). This also means that if you decided to leech a copy of Office 365 from whatever torrent site you usually get your warez from, then at the very least keep on top of the latest version out. Software updaters can help, but i wouldn’t rely on them entirely.

Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication

Using strong passwords and two-factor authentication is another important step to secure your home network. Grab yourself a Yubi Key or two for sites that will use them, and don’t think that having a site text you a code to log in will save you. Usually one phone call to whatever underpaid monkey that’s working at Vodafone is all that it takes to convince them that “you” have lost your phone and want to transfer the number to a new sim card. Sim card hijacking is certainly an easy way to compromise any 2FA system. When setting up new devices, make sure to use unique, complex passwords that are difficult to guess. Consider using a password manager to create and store passwords securely. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of identification,  either code sent to your phone or email, or inserting a physical key to log in – so use those options.

Install antivirus and anti-malware software

Installing antivirus and anti-malware software on your devices is another key step to protect your network from malware infections. From my personal experience in malware development and exe-cryptors the one piece of advice i always give – the only piece of antivirus software that I’ve found hard to bypass is Kaspersky.  Use it to help detect and remove malicious software that may have slipped past your other defenses. Make sure to keep your antivirus and anti-malware software up to date and run regular scans.

I also recommend some third party firewall software like Malwarebytes Windows Firewall Control, it’ll help catch things that you might otherwise miss. Just make sure that you allow notifications for new outgoing connections.

Secure your router

Your router is the gateway to your network, so securing it is crucial to protecting your home network from potential malware infections. Ensure that your router’s firmware is up to date and change the default login credentials to strong, unique passwords. Consider Definitely disabling remote management, which can be a potential security risk, and turn off any unused features or ports. Turn off WPS on the router too.

Be cautious when buying tech products online

Buying tech products online, such as TV boxes, can be convenient, but it can also be a potential security risk. Shady companies have been known to ship devices pre-load with malware. To protect your network, only buy from reputable sellers and avoid deals that seem too good to be true. Before connecting any new devices to your network, scan them for viruses and malware using your antivirus and anti-malware software. Consider using DNS servers that filter for malware domains on your router for an extra level of security.

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help secure your home network by encrypting your internet traffic and hiding your IP address. This can help prevent hackers from intercepting your traffic and accessing your personal data. Consider using a VPN when accessing the internet, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks. Remember that UK law states that ISP’s must log what their users are up to, so even if you aren’t doing anything a little dodgy, it helps keep your data private and puts two fingers up to whatever ISP employee’s that want to have a laugh at you browsing gimp pr0n on xhamster or whatever.

Setting up your router to put all traffic through a VPN can be a good option, either a commercial VPN service or set up your own on a £5 a month VPS.

Set up a guest network

Setting up a guest network is another useful step to protect your home network from potential malware infections. Guest networks are separate from your main network and provide a secure place for visitors to connect to the internet. This can help prevent guests from accidentally or deliberately infecting your network with malware. Use the option on an OpenWRT router to isolate clients on a WiFi network

In conclusion, securing your home network from potential malware infections is essential in today’s connected world. By keeping your devices and software up to date, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, installing antivirus and anti-malware software, securing your router, being cautious when buying tech products online, using a VPN, and setting up a guest network, you can protect your network and personal data from potential threats. Remember that staying vigilant and taking these steps can help prevent cyber attacks and protect your privacy.

Remember, bad people out there exist, and we will do whatever we can to breach your defenses.