2015/06/01
Home Network Tips
Where to Place Your Router
The biggest advantage of a wireless router is that it can penetrate doors and walls - but that doesn't mean you can just stuff it next to a wall or cordless telephone, or use it as a stand for your stack of DVDs. Treat it with respect.
- Place the router in a central location, away from other wireless devices;
- Make sure it's not in direct sunlight;
- Lift it off the carpet; and
- Ensure its vents aren't covered.
Improve Your Wireless Router's Reception
One way to improve your home network's coverage is to use a router with multiple antennas and point them in a variety of directions covering your home.
- If you've already got a router, check whether you can upgrade its antennas to something stronger;
- No antennas on your router? A wireless repeater compatible with your router is a perfect solution; and
- For more intensive uses, a dual- or triple-band router provides frequencies suitable for web surfing, gaming and streaming video throughput or for households with multiple users.
Don't Be a Target for Hackers!
Your router works best when you keep it secure and its software up-to-date. Here are some tips to protect your home network against hackers:
- Do not use the router's default password. Change it immediately.
- Change the router's Service Set Identifier (SSID), which identifies it to network computers, to something unique.Routers from the same manufacturer generally ship with the same SSID (e.g., "Netgear" or "Cisco").
- Once all your hardware has been set up, it is better to turn off broadcasting of the SSID altogether. This ensures your router isn't displayed in the list of available networks and won't be a target for potential hackers.
- Manufacturers provide firmware upgrades even after the hardware has been shipped. It is a good idea to upgrade the firmware of the router regularly. Check the manufacturer's website for new firmware upgrades.
- Here are links to the router firmware upgrade pages for Linksys, Netgear and Belkin.
Submitted by Jeanne Marie
Director of Technology Training
Paul Hastings LLP