A secure internet connection should be taken for granted, but it is put at risk by many factors that open up vulnerabilities that can then be exploited by hackers or viruses to steal data or information and spy on online activities. The security levels of an internet connection are basically three :
1) At the configuration level of the computer and devices connected to the network, including the use of updated programs and operating systems that are not open to bugs, at least those known.
2) At the configuration level of internet access, that is the modem and the router.
3) At the user level, to safely surf the websites by putting the right amount of attention in sharing information.
Trying to be complete, but synthetic, we see a summary of the measures to be taken to make the network connection safe, especially with a view to doing all the basic checks, knowing how to recognize the risks and stay away from the dangers.
1) Safe configuration of networked devices and computers
As for the security level of the computer configuration, we have already seen in several articles what are the most important things to secure your PC.
In particular, as explained in the guide on how to protect your PC from hackers and viruses, it is very important that every device on the network is updated to the latest version of the operating system.
This requirement is fundamental only for the computer connected to the internet, but also for the smartphone, tablet and any other IoT (internet of things) device that can connect to the internet and is accessible on the network (smart TV, thermostat, camera, etc.) .
In recent times, in fact, it has been noted that most of the security risks in a network derive from these IoT devices, which are full of bugs and vulnerabilities that are easy to exploit for more or less good hackers.
In this regard, to check the connection and the network, there is a program capable of scanning the connected devices to detect any risks and problems .
It is BitDefender Home Scanner, free and very simple to use.
With a network scan, the Home Scanner will check the firmware of the connected devices and the presence of known software vulnerabilities in order to possibly disconnect those at risk.
This type of program is one of the easiest to use to check the security of the LAN.
2) Secure configuration for internet access
Internet access is managed by the modem / router, which if in some cases it has a configuration protected by the network provider, in most cases it is better to protect access.
In other articles we have therefore seen how to secure the home Wifi connection and protect yourself from network intrusions and how to configure the WiFi Router for a secure home network.
3) Secure connection to websites
Most important of all, internet security depends heavily on how you share information and use websites.
We have already written many guides on this point too, including the one for surfing the Internet safely online.
In particular, it is important to use secure passwords that are not easy to remember or discover, not to enter login or private data in sites that are not https (with updated security certificate) and to be able to recognize dangerous sites, avoiding clicking the wrong link and fall into traps and scams.
READ ALSO: 10 tips for internet security
