Does Your WiFi Extender for Gaming Have Security Flaws?
Here's What You Should Do
Does Your WiFi Extender for Gaming Have Security Flaws?
Here's What You Should Do
WiFi extender is a device that improves your home network signal so you can get faster internet speeds. For a better gaming experience, many gamers install costly WiFi extender for gaming at home.
Shockingly, IBM X-Force researchers have discovered that Wi-Fi extenders face remote attacks that could allow hackers to access your home network and even spy on you.
Why?
How could this happen?
Why WiFi extenders for gaming are vulnerable?
Since many gaming WiFi extenders do not have the same security features as standard routers, they are easy targets for hackers. Also, these devices are designed to be placed in a gaming environment, so they're often not as well protected as other devices in your home.
That's why a lot of network vulnerabilities when using a WiFi extender for gaming.
What most people don't know, the most common is a man-in-the-middle attack. Man-in-the-middle attacks can be broadly classified into two categories: active and passive.
- In an active attack, the attacker intercepts and modifies messages between the two victims without their knowledge or consent.
- In a passive attack, the attacker simply eavesdrops on the communication between the two victims. Both types of attacks can have devastating consequences.
In reality, researchers used the same computer to connect the gaming WiFi extender and a standard WiFi extender for studies. The gaming computer's network susceptibility was more than twice that of the conventional WiFi extender.
What you can do to protect your gaming WiFi extender from such attacks?
Don't worry too much, here are some more ways to help your WiFi extender for gaming avoid cyber security breaches as much as possible
Use a WPA2 encryption
It may sound strange to most people.
So what is WPA2?
WPA2 is the newest and most secure form of WiFi encryption, so be sure to use it if you want to keep your information safe.
Hackers can use many methods to break into WiFi networks, but WPA2 encryption can help prevent them from doing so. One way hackers can gain access to WiFi networks is by using brute-force attacks. This is where they try to guess passwords by trying millions of different combinations. WPA2 encryption makes this harder by using longer and more complex passwords.
Another way hackers can access WiFi networks is by using man-in-the-middle attacks. This is where they position themselves between the router and the devices connected to it. They can then intercept the data being transmitted and cause all kinds of problems. WPA2 encryption can help prevent man-in-the-middle attacks by using a system called 802.1x. It uses the server to authenticate devices trying to connect to the network. This means hackers need access to the server to be successful.
If you are worried about your gaming WiFi extender being hacked, the best thing to do is to make sure it uses WPA2 encryption. This will help protect your network and keep your information safe.If you are worried about your gaming WiFi extender being hacked, the best thing to do is to make sure it uses WPA2 encryption. This will help protect your network and keep your information safe.
Use a VPN
What does VPN do?
A VPN encrypts your data, making your gaming WiFi extender impossible to intercept and read by anyone who shouldn't have access to it. This means that even if someone hacks into your gaming WiFi extender, they won't be able to read your data.
Apart from this VPN is also useful for bypassing geo-restrictions. For example, if you want to access US-only content from outside the US, you can connect to a US-based VPN server and access your desired content.
You can easily set up vpn encryption for your game WiFi extender by following these steps:
1. Connect your game console to the WiFi extender using a cable.
2. Go to the settings of your game console and enable vpn encryption.
3. Save the changes and restart your game console.
4. That's it! Your game console is now encrypted and all your traffic will go through the VPN.
Keep your firmware up-to-date
Change the default password on your gaming WiFi extender
Many people don't realize that changing the default password on your WiFi extender for gaming is one of the best things you can do to improve the security of your home network. Doing this makes it much more difficult for hackers to access your network.
Extenders are a great way to boost your WiFi signal, but they can also be a weak spot in your home security if they're not correctly configured. Changing the default password is a simple step that can help protect your home network.
Use a strong password and never share it with anyone
Use a strong password and never share it with anyone
In addition to the above methods, by using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, you can make your password nearly impossible to crack. This keeps your information safe from people who shouldn't have access to it and gives you peace of mind that your device is safe.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Everyone should be aware that the network situation is changing rapidly and that network security is of paramount importance. If you find your WiFi extender for gaming has security flaws, you can follow the methods above to troubleshoot and fix them to help prevent future hackers!
Lonny is head of Network & Communications technology at WebEx. His experience spans over 18 years and he has worked as an advisor for major telecommunications companies across the United States.