When it comes to choosing the best VPN for your Apple iOS devices, there are a few important factors you need to take into account. For example, what features are important to you? What features should be important to you? And how much do you want to spend? We’re going to dive into all the basic ins and outs of VPNs for iOS, break down some of the best VPNs for Apple iOS devices, and discuss why they might be a good fit for you. Whether you’re looking for a VPN that can unblock content or one that’s packed with security features, chances are we’ve covered it here for you.
Let’s Talk About The Best VPN for Apple iOS Devices
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of the essential tools for safeguarding your online privacy and security while using your devices. If you’ve checked out our website just a little bit, you’d know we’re a big fan of VPNs. By establishing a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a server, VPNs protect your data from hackers and ISPs. Also, in some cases they allow you to access content that is not available in your country.
Apple has taken many steps to protect your personal data. In fact, some of their latest security measures in their recent operating system updates have caused a massive disruption in systems and platforms that have been leveraging your personal data for their own benefit (Here’s looking at you Facebook). But even with those security updates, your IP address can still identify you. That is where using a VPN on your iPhone (or your iPad) comes in handy. We wanted to take a deep dive and really analyze some of the best VPNs for iOS, explaining what to look for in a good VPN and highlighting some of the best options available.
What To Look For In A VPN?
If you are searching for a VPN for your iPhone or iPad, make sure it has the following features:
First, compatibility with iOS devices is essential (I know, that’s a given). Make sure the VPN you choose offers an app for iOS devices (iPhone or iPad) or at least has detailed instructions on how to set it up manually.
Second, a robust encryption protocol is a must. This will help ensure your data remains safe and secure. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are both excellent choices.
A kill switch is also a valuable feature, as it will prevent data leaks if your connection to the VPN server is ever lost.
Check the number of servers included in the VPN network.
Make sure your VPN has fast connection speeds. Some VPNs are notorious for slowing down connection speeds and giving peeps slow speeds.
Ensure your VPN has a user-friendly interface.
Check how many connections (devices) your VPN can support simultaneously under a single account.
Also, your VPN must be a no-log VPN that does not keep any records of the user’s online activity.
Taking into account some of the criteria outlined above, here are some of the best VPNs for your iOS devices. There are a LOT of VPNs out there, but not a lot are designed specifically with Apple iOS in mind. In fact, there are a lot of VPN providers that provide ZERO support for Apple iOS. We saw the same thing when breaking down the best VPNs for Android devices. But we were able to find a handful of VPNs for iOS that we believe check the boxes on an optimal VPN solution for mobile.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the second most popular VPN on the App store. It’s what DDID uses on our devices. It is easy to use and offers excellent security and privacy protection for iOS users. The app is well-designed and user-friendly, and it provides a great selection of server locations to choose from. In terms of speed and reliability, ExpressVPN performs very well.
Our Favorite ExpressVPN Features
Best-in-class encryption protects your data and online activity
Powerful speed and unlimited bandwidth
3000 plus servers in 94 countries
ExpressVPN supports up to 5 simultaneous connections
24/7 live chat support
Kill switch and a zero-log policy
A 7-day free trial period
Helps unblock various geo-restricted streaming sites, including YouTube, Hulu, iPlayer, Amazon, Netflix
NordVPN is a secure, reliable, and fast VPN service that encrypts your traffic and protects your privacy. It is one of the most popular VPNs available on the App store. The installation process is simple and easy to follow, and the app provides a consistent experience no matter which region you are in. It is an excellent choice for privacy-conscious users who want to stay safe and secure online. Out of all the VPNs we analyzed for iOS Apple devices, NordVPN is the best.
Our Favorite NordVPN Features
Top-tier encryption provides excellent security and privacy with high-speed connection speeds
24/7 customer support and a strict zero-log policy
5000 plus servers in 60 countries
NordVPN supports up to 6 simultaneous connections
Two kill switches
DNS leak detection and auto-connect features
A 7-day free trial period
A 30-day money-back guarantee
It helps unblock various geo-restricted streaming sites, including Hulu, Amazon, iPlayer, Netflix, or YouTube
Another incredible option for a VPN that you can use on your iOS devices is Surfshark. For users who need a cheap VPN with top-notch security and privacy, Surfshark is your app. It is a powerful and easy-to-use VPN that offers a variety of features to customize your experience. As mentioned in our review of the best VPNs for Android, Surfshare is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
IPVanish for iOS is another excellent choice for a reliable and secure VPN service. It makes sure that your data is safe and protected from prying eyes, and it offers incredible speed, especially in the US.
Our Favorite IPVanish VPN Features
1400 plus servers in 75 locations
Encrypted VPN connections for every device
Choice of protocols
IPVanish supports unlimited connections at the same time
Kill switch and a zero-log policy
Helps unblock only limited streaming sites: YouTube and iPlayer
How Do I Know If I Need A VPN For My Apple iOS Device?
Are you worried about your privacy while using your Apple device? If so, a VPN might be the perfect solution for you. VPNs are great tools that help to encrypt and protect your data while you browse the web or use other online services. Not only does this keep your information safe from hackers and other malicious actors, but it also allows you more freedom and control over what content you access online.
So how do you know if you really need a VPN for your Apple device? Here are a few things to consider. One good indicator is if you frequently travel or use public Wi-Fi networks (or use networks other than your own personal home network). These unencrypted networks are a common target for cybercriminals, who can easily intercept and monitor your activity on these networks. Likewise, if you frequently send sensitive personal information online, such as account passwords or credit card numbers, then a VPN can help ensure the safety of this data. And finally, if you just want to keep your browsing habits hidden from advertisers or other third parties, a VPN can give you the privacy and anonymity that you need to feel comfortable and secure online. Whether you’re protecting yourself from cybercrime or pesky advertisers, a VPN could be just what you need to stay safe and confident on all of your Apple devices!
Isn’t Apple’s latest iOS update enough security though? I love the latest security patches and measures Apple has integrated into their iOS but is it enough of a security measure where I don’t need a VPN? Let me rephrase that question: Are you concerned about personal privacy or personal security? If you answer yes, then yes…you need a VPN for your iOS Apple device. Remember, a Virtual Private Network is a secure, encrypted connection between two networks or between an individual user and a network. If you are searching for a good, reliable VPN service to use with your iPhone or iPad, any of these four providers we reviewed would be a great choice. Not all VPNs are created equal, so it is essential to do your research before signing up for one and make sure you get one that fits your internet habits and behavior.
Are you looking for secure and safe ways to manage your passwords? Do you get tired of sticky notes and want peace of mind? Sick of storing all of your sensitive and important passwords and logins in a spreadsheet or Google sheet? We took some time to review some of the best password managers that you can use to safeguard your passwords.
Memorizing every password can be complex, and it is also not a good thing to use the same password for everything. You should take it easy when it comes to online privacy. Whether you are an employee working remotely or acting personally, it is vital to make sure that your online presence is safe and secure from poking eyes.
Unless you want to have a hard copy of all of your passwords and notes on your mobile that can be compromised, you might need to consider a password manager. It can help safeguard your login credentials and identity for any online account.
What is a Password Manager?
A password manager is an encrypted digital vault that helps store the passwords login details you use to access different accounts and apps on your mobile. Password managers enable secure your sensitive data, credentials, and identity from online theft.
Additionally, it has a password generator that creates unique and strong passwords and makes sure that your password does not match your other passwords. A password generator is a helpful feature of a password manager when it comes to creating a unique password for any online account.
A password manager not only provides security to your login data but also helps in solid password suggestions through a password generator. With all the security breaches, increased cyberattacks, and online theft, it is crucial to have a unique password for your online apps and accounts.
Additionally, with a manager, you don’t need to memorize the various pieces of information, such as credit card information and shipping addresses. You can set one master password or in some cases fingerprint or PIN to autofill your password field and form.
Best Password Managers Today
The list of best password managers keeps on updating every year. They are gaining in popularity and use so more and more password managers enter the market. Due to much competition in this field, users can get some high-quality options for choosing their password managers. For this review, we honed in on three of the top password managers which have been selected to give you a better version of password security.
Bitwarden is the top password manager for 2022 due to its open-source roots and its unlimited, unbeatable, and free version. Don’t confuse the word “free” in this case as cheap or inadequate either. This free version can help in generating, storing, and automatically filling all of your password details across all the known devices and websites.
Some of the crucial features of this software are as follows
Secure, open-source, and transparent
Free version that can be used across multiple devices
Premium subscriptions start just at $10 per year
Works with: macOS, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android, iPad
Browser extensions for Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Opera, Safari, Brave, Tor, and Vivaldi
Its free version has only limited features but its premium version is feature-rich. Just like its competitor, Bitwarden allows its users to share memberships, passwords, and other items in premium subscriptions.
LastPass is also one of the top password managers that you can use to secure your personal details on the internet. It’s my personal “daily driver”. Its free version allows you to store passwords, sync all credentials and login information, and use them across multiple devices and internet browsers. .
While you can choose a free version of Lastpass to use on desktop and mobile devices, recent updates have confined the role of the free version. It also has the following features:
Offers free and paid versions
Paid version price starts at $36 per year
Works with: iPhone, Android, iPad, Windows, Linus, MacOS
Browser extensions for Opera, Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Safari, and Edge
Upgrading to the Paid version (starting as low as $3/month or $4/month for a family plan…yes if you kids are on devices, they need to protect their passwords) is going to unlock some really cool features. You’ll get a security dashboard, priority tech support, group and the ability to share your passwords with others (no they can’t see your password, LastPass just fills in your password for them), and encrypted storage. You can also store passport info, serial numbers, bank info, credit card info and even just notes you want to keep private.
1Password is also one of the top and unique password managers that allow you to access it on multiple devices. If you are looking for a trusted and strong password manager app that keeps your personal information secure and safe, then 1Password is the ultimate solution for your online problems.
The major features of this password manager are as follows:
It does not offer a free version
Only offers 14 days trial, then you have to buy the premium version
You can buy the premium version for $36 per year
Works with: Linux, Windows, Chrome, iPhone, Android, iPad, macOS
Browser extensions for Opera, Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Safari, and Edge
The best password sharing options of any password manager we looked at
Has extensive (and free) online security resources for any level of learner
Features both password manager options for families and businesses
If you’ve ever struggled to remember a password, you may have considered using a password manager. But let’s recap exactly what a password manager is and really hone in on if you really need one. A password manager is a piece of software that helps you generate and store strong passwords for all your online accounts. That way, instead of trying to remember dozens of different passwords, you only need to remember one master password (and please don’t use “password123” as your password!). And if that sounds like a lot of work, don’t worry. Most password managers can automatically fill in your passwords for you.
Those we’ve reviewed here are work phenomenally on desktop, tablet, and mobile. So do you need a password manager? That depends on how many online accounts you have and how concerned you are about security. If you only have a few accounts, and you’re not worried about anyone hacking your info…then maybe pass on one (no pun intended). However, if you have a ton of accounts across multiple platforms, software, services, devices, etc…you may want to consider taking the plunge and checking it out. At the very least, opting in for a free trial is worth your time and energy. I did an audit on my account, and I have over 300 passwords (accounts, apps, websites..they add up fast) and I don’t know what any of them are! I don’t have to! A password manager tracks, changes and fills in the random password that it’s tracking when I need it!
Final Thoughts On Password Managers
An extensive and highly effective password manager is one of the best solutions to protect you against online-based theft and security breaches. A quality password manager allows you to store, secure, and safeguard your login information, personal details, and important credentials. Multiple password managers are available today. When it comes to choosing the best password version for you, keep in mind your personal preferences and what you think a password manager should do for you. If you’re looking for something simple and effective, Bitwarden is your best bet. If you’re looking for one of the best premium password managers with all the bells and whistles (think business, multiple device and platform sharing, etc), you’ll want to target something like Lastpass.
There are numerous methods to strengthen the security of our home network and one of those ways is through a bit of nifty gadget called Firewalla Red. Once connected to your network, it offers us a ton of information on what happens in it: what mobile devices, laptops, smart gadgets, and others connected to the network do. If you’re a casual internet goer and want some basic protection for your network, Firewalla Red is great.
Firewalla Red is an all-in-one solution to the difficulties we face with network security with all the many devices. Firewalla Red does an optimal job at securing all of your digital stuff by connecting to your router. It can safeguard your family from cyber risks, prevent advertisements, regulate kids’ internet usage, and even protect you when you are out on public WiFi. We’re going to walk you through what we found with this small, yet effective firewall hardware.
Incredibly Easy Installation
The app can be easily installed on your mobile device. All you need is your WiFi router and a power source, the app on your mobile device, and a barcode scanner. To get started, simply scan the barcode on the box and connect to your WiFi. You can manage and monitor your device from anywhere on the globe, thanks to this functionality. Both iPhone and Android versions are available.
Compatibility
100 Mbits is the limit for IPS functionality. Depending on your router, this gadget works well with most routers and not as well with others. For router compatibility, you can check out the website to make sure yours is on the list before getting the device. For configuration, depending on the router you may have to log in to the router to perform a handful of configurations. Overall, there should be many compatibility issues with Firewalla products. We’ve heard from users that they run into issues when using Firewalla with Google Mesh Wifi, but it took us maybe an extra 4-5 minutes of setup to overcome that small hurdle.
It’s hard to imagine, you get this much protection in a small device. Your Firewalla Red home and wireless internet of things devices all are protected by its unique intrusion prevention system (IDS and IPS) against threats, including viruses, malware, hacking, phishing, cyberattacks, unwanted data theft when using public WiFi, and a slew of other protections.
Filtering Of Content and Blocking Functionality
You don’t have to unplug the power cord from the dusty old router anymore to get your kids to stop using your network. No more wondering what devices are accessing what content. You can check out what any device is doing on your network straight from your Smartphone. Want to block all access, or block off just gaming or social networks? Done with a click. As the primary account and keeper of the network, you can easily keep online activities on your network cyber-healthy and safe by enabling Family Protect, which screens out adult content and blocks malicious content. It’s a set it and forget it feature we love.
Ability to Activate Protection
With Firewalla Red, you can get a deep knowledge of your network and cloud-based behavior with an analytics engine that identifies and blocks problems as they arise. As a result of continuous monitoring, you will have complete visibility into all IoT devices within your network and will be able to monitor comprehensive network flows, bandwidth analysis, and internet troubleshooting. Nothing is bulletproof in the world of cyber security, but we can have safe online surfing and free from hacking the internet with Firewalla Red.
Alert Messages, Configured Successfully
Once Firewalla Red is linked, you will receive the first alert messages, which indicates each of the devices it discovers connected to the network. These notifications are configured by default. Some people get annoyed with over notifications of apps and devices. I am one of those people who hate getting unnecessary notifications. But if those notifications are purposeful and lead to value, that’s all that matters. You can customize in the app AND on your smartphone device just how frequent and aggressive you want those notifications.
Keeping your gadgets safe from cyber attacks and cyber threats
Advanced information for your network
Keeping confidential company information safe
Filtering content dynamically
Client-server VPN functionality is incorporated right into the operating system.
Services are free of charge every month. No monthly fees is fantastic!
30-day return policy and a one-year warranty
Cons
Unless you have a router that is compatible with it, do not purchase it. Be sure to check first! One you’ll want to look at is that some routers (although not officially supported) can still be used, but it requires a geek in the home. Using DHCP Mode. I did when I ran my Blue with my Synology Router and was able to get it to work. But again…you’ll need a geek in the home.
Creating a VPN server can be complicated for most people, but there is a vast Firewalla community to help if you are confused
100 Mbps speeds may seem slow for internet super users. If this is an issue for you, upgrade your expectations with Firewalla Purple.
Alerts can be a nuisance until you learn how to fine-tune them to your preference.
So…Should You Get Firewalla Red?
Despite having a few cons, Firewalla Red is a fantastic product that we highly recommend! You can secure your home networks with this stylish, comfortable, and practical solution. Many folks will breathe a sigh of relief knowing they can have a simple home network security option like Firewalla Red. The Firewalla app allows you to share data, hide your IP address, and secure your network, all from the convenience of your mobile device (making it very accessible). Custom settings give you more control over the security of your home wireless networks while also providing you with greater transparency into the choices you’ve made.
There is a lot of talk out there about VPNs. Should you get one? What are the benefits? I’ve heard they slow down your connections? I’ve heard they are the best protection you can get. Trust me, I’ve heard them all. There’s a lot of noise. Some of it is good noise. And some of it not. We want to set the record straight and talk about the pros and cons of using a VPN.
A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that creates a secure, encrypted connection between your computer and the VPN provider’s servers. This can be useful for many purposes, from safeguarding your internet traffic from prying eyes to accessing region-locked content. However, not all VPNs are created equal, and it’s important to understand the pros and cons of using one before deciding whether or not to invest in one. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of using a VPN so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s right for you.
What Are The Cons Of Using A VPN?
Before we hit on the good things about VPNs, we want to briefly dive into some of the cons. Some of the negative banter you’ll most likely hear are half-truths. And they’re partially true because VPNs are a dime a dozen. There are so many of them out there. There are free ones, paid ones, good ones, and bad ones. Basing a single experience on a single VPN service just doesn’t do the idea of getting a VPN justice. But generally speaking, let’s discuss some of the cons you might experience when dealing with VPNs.
VPNs Can Slow Down Your Connection Speed
This is true, BUT…it depends on the type of VPN you get. Most of the paid versions (and some of the free) can handle 1 Gbps speed or higher. Most people that experience a slowed connection probably have opted in for a free version.
They’re Difficult To Setup
This was definitely true in the infant stages of VPNs because most people using them were the techy-type and knew their way around this kind of technology. Of course, someone who is an average user of computers and the internet would struggle with new technology. But as more VPNs hit the market, we’re beginning to see companies get really good at customer experience, so the setup and configuration aren’t nearly as bad as it was only a handful of years ago.
VPNs Can Drain Your Battery
This applies mostly to your smartphone devices (and tablets for that matter). A big reason why this is the case is that apps that run continuously on your phone in the background naturally will have the most impact on your device’s battery. Just going off what my iPhone says, my VPN uses about 15-20% of my battery on average. It’s about the 3rd highest app in battery usage as well. And that’s been pretty consistent. But again…apps like Facebook, YouTube, NBA2k Mobile, and even your messaging apps will drain your battery, soooo.
VPN Connections Can Just Poof
This will happen from time to time and I’ve experienced it with a couple of free versions. This is why a kill switch option is a really nice feature to pay attention to. Hotspot Shield has a kill switch and is free. Most of the paid versions have this added benefit as well. Without getting into the complexities of kill switches, the idea behind the kill switch is really simple. Basically, if the VPN connection drops, you can activate a “Kill Switch”, which blocks your device’s access to the internet. It’s nice because this can prevent you from having that device send data outside your secure VPN. It’s a nice feature that most VPNs should have in case the VPN server drops. At any given moment, your secure connection to a VPN server can be interrupted, which in effect can reveal information that was private. Information like your IP address, your location, and some other personal data. You’re going to want a VPN that has an “Always On” option in their settings for a kill switch.
They Give People A False Sense Of Super Security
They are not full-proof protection from cyberattacks, personal data protection, and viruses on the web. Quite honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever come across something that is completely bulletproof from the dangers on the web. But the notion is such that some believe they get a VPN and they’re completely protected from anything nefarious on the web. That’s just not true.
There are seriously so many awesome benefits you get out of using a VPN. Benefits range from increased security, encrypted personal data, hacker protection, escaping data caps on your internet, and so many more. But we wanted to highlight some of the best Pros as to why you should get a VPN.
VPNs Are Affordable Security
This is one of the major perks of using a VPN. Compared to other security measures, VPNs can be significantly more affordable than other security measures. There are a handful of free VPNs out there that make security virtually free. Hotspot Shield and ProtonVPN are a couple of free VPNs you should check out. Even the paid versions are relatively cheap. ExpressVPN’s paid service right now is under $7 a month and Norton VPN is $40 for the whole year with up to 5 devices for protection.
A VPN Protects Your Data
This is such an incredible benefit. VPNs will help protect the data that you send and receive on your devices. Again…it’s not bulletproof (nothing is), but with the encryptions VPN services offer, it definitely makes it harder for hackers. They don’t necessarily work the same way as fully comprehensive anti-virus software, but they will protect you if you have healthy digital hygiene (stay away from phishing websites, don’t download compromised files, etc).
Access Content From Virtually Anywhere
This will depend on how many servers your VPN service offers, but generally speaking if you opt-in for a paid VPN, you’ll be able to access blocked content from anywhere in the world. I remember one time on a long vacation to another country we literally had Netflix blocked the whole time. You could argue that we shouldn’t have been watching Netflix on vacation, but nonetheless…a VPN will allow you to access any streaming service from any country. Furthermore, it’s not just streaming services. You can bypass almost any geoblock. Geoblocking is tech that will restrict your access to the internet and websites based on your geolocation.
Should You Get A VPN?
If you’re someone that regularly uses the internet, buys anything online, or does any kind of banking online, VPNs are a great way to increase your security and privacy. They work by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server, so that no one can see your traffic or track your activities. They’re not perfect protection, but they’re pretty good.
How important is it to secure your home WiFi network? One thing I notice is a lot of people I know do not have a secure home network. Whenever I ask why this is the case, most of the time people are just confused and don’t think they’re “techy” enough to do these kinds of things. It’s so easy though! If you can read and follow basic instructions, you got this! There are so many ways to secure your network, but I wanted to walk you through five of what I think are the easiest and simplest ways to secure your home Wi-Fi network. You want to make sure your home is a safe place to get online, right? This is also an important approach to adding one more layer of protecting your devices and your personal data as well. This is so easy you can literally do this in about 5-10 minutes, even if you aren’t the “tech type” and don’t speak geek. Your network security in your home is vital. And it’s one of those often overlooked safety measures. Privacy on things like your mobile devices, tablets, computers, laptops, and smart devices could be compromised by even the most novice hackers.
It’s pretty crazy how many people just use the basic setup for their home network and forget about it. They take the password and the SSID that they were given by their Internet provider (probably written on a box for the world to see), and that’s what they use. If this is you (we’re not judging by the way), you’re definitely going to want to take notes immediately after reading this. Make these adjustments! Promise? Okay. Are there more advanced steps to making your network and home WiFi more secure? Sure, but I just want to share with you a handful of basic tips you can do right now. First things first, you’re going to want to be by your router. We’re going to begin this process there. We will be making some of these security steps in the network settings. Most of them will be in the same place. Your router is going to look something like this….
Protecting Your Home WiFi Tip #1
You might want to go where your router is located to help get a visual of what we’re talking about in this tip if you want to. It’s not necessary, but it might help. You want to be looking at your router in order to find the information to log in to the administration panel. With most routers, the login info generally is going to be on the bottom, on the back, or the side where you can find a six or seven-digit code along with a password that’s printed on it. The info will also be in a manual (and you can typically Google your router model number and find it online). Usually, it’ll say something like “Router Login” or something to that effect. I’m not exaggerating when I say my login settings have the username as “admin” and the password as…yes…“password”.
What you’re looking for, or the first thing that you want to change is the SSID. This is the ID that comes up when you’re searching for Wi-Fi. What you may not realize is that a lot of these IDs can be tied back to the manufacturer of that particular router. Scary? Yeah, no doubt. Some routers may have known vulnerabilities. Hackers know this and if they see that particular ID will know exactly how to hack it. In addition to this, the default SSID may also be an identifier to know which Wi-Fi is related to a specific house that might be really expensive (or have valuable inside of it). It’s something someone with technical know-how and expertise might definitely want to hack into. They have their checklists, they have their processes down to a science, and SSID is an easy entry point into your personal data. These dangerous people out there exist. What you want to do is just rename your SSID name. Try not to make it too personally identifiable. You’ll want to avoid making it your name. Don’t imitate a private network. I see this a lot and it just invites people to join, which will slow download and upload speeds. Use a little common sense. A lot of people like to have fun with these SSIDs and that’s not a bad thing, but it’s best to err on the side of caution and keep personal stuff out of the SSID. Honestly, just changing it is going to add a layer of security. But make sure you know exactly what it is. This won’t make your home WiFi incredibly secure, but a small change like this can help quite a bit.
How Do I Change My Home Wifi Name?
This is really easy. These instructions are general for most router types. You need to access your router’s admin page (you can find this on the back or bottom of the router).
Step 1: Enter the router’s IP address into your favorite browser
Step 2: Log in as the administrator. You can find that info again on the router.
Step 3: Click on “Settings” (or similar verbiage) and you’re going to want to find the option “SSID Name” or “WiFi Name”. It should be one of those options.
Step 4: Enter your new WiFi name (follow our guidelines above). In some admin panels, you’ll have to hit save or “apply”.
While you’re in the router admin settings, the next thing you want to do is to set up a new, more secure password. Most likely, your Internet provider gave you a password, then set up your Wi-Fi with password protection. And that’s fine, but you really want to do something a little more secure and something you can keep track of more easily.
A couple of things with this. First, you want to create a strong, unique password. Do NOT create a password like one of these common Wifi passwords (and yes…these are legit passwords and I can’t believe people actually do this, but they do). Personally, I use a password generator and a password manager like Keeper or Zoho Vault, but there are a lot of really good password managers out there. Secondly, in the same place where you changed the SSID, you’ll want to change the old password with this new password. It’s usually in a field called “Password” or possibly “Passphrase” depending on the brand and type of router. Once you make those changes, press “apply”.
Protecting Your Home WiFi Tip #3
While you’re still in those admin (or advanced or something similarly named) settings for your router, another thing you want to look at is disabling remote access. It’ll usually be on a “Security” tab or something close to that. You’ll want to find a navigation label with “Remote Control” or “Remote Access”. Honestly, there are very few times when I’ve used remote access for my router. I can’t remember the last time I’ve used it to tell you the truth. What is remote access? If you’re not physically present near the Wi-Fi router (can’t access the signal essentially), remote access gives you the ability to dial in from another location. As I said, I’ve rarely used it and most people never do anyway. It’s just an extra vulnerability you don’t need for your home network. For most people (like 99% of the population), it’s an advanced feature. You’ll want to disable that feature and click “apply”.
Okay, this next one is really easy and I think is probably the most important. If you have a lot of guests (think extended family, friends, visitors, etc), one of the things that happen is you tend to give out your Wi-Fi password. My wife literally just did this today with an extended family member and I had to remind her why we have a Guest Network. What happens is that Wi-Fi password gets stored in their devices for a long time (probably indefinitely). If you were to look into your Wi-Fi settings right now on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, you’d find quite a few networks that are stored and saved on your device. What this means is they also could potentially have access to your home network, depending on how it’s set up. It’s not just the internet they get access to either. It could even include your internet of things (IoT) devices like your Alexa or your Google Assistant. Or perhaps your smart lights and smart thermostat. Maybe even your security cameras. All of these things.
So this home network security tip is really important: create a separate guest WiFi network. This can be done in a number of different ways (I love how easy Google Wifi has made it). But you’ll want to set up a separate Wi-Fi network for guests and other people with a different password than your main WiFi. What this will mean is you will have a Wi-Fi network that’s secured specifically for your family and your devices. And then a separate network for any guests that come in. The next time you have guests asking for the WiFi network and WiFi password, this way you’re not giving away your secure password that might be used for other things like email, banking, etc. I once had a friend who used the same password for everything. As a teaching moment when he gave me his home WiFi password, I tried the same password for his email and immediately accessed his email. I let him know, of course, and encouraged him to immediately change them all. If you use something like Google Wifi, Apple AirPort, or some other advanced routers, they have an option for a guest ID, which makes it super easy to set up. What I LOVE about these is it sets up a completely separate Wi-Fi network, so guests don’t have access to your home network at all.
Protecting Your Home WiFi Tip #5
Lastly, this one is by far the easiest. This is something probably not done that much but can be important. Depending on the level of home automation and what kind of smart devices you use, it might not be applicable to you at all. If you’re going on a vacation or you’re leaving your house for more than just the regular hours of work or possibly for an extended amount of time, it can be a great idea to turn off your Wi-Fi. There’s no reason to have your Wi-Fi on, especially if you don’t have a lot of smart devices. Even if you do have an Alexa or Google Assistant, it may not be a bad idea to turn the WiFi off. These devices can act as other access points to your home network. There is one caveat though: if you have a smart thermostat, a Ring camera (or something similar), smart lock, or a smart lighting system programmed or scheduled to keep burglars away, you won’t want to utilize this last tip. But if you aren’t into the home automation stuff and don’t have those extra security measures leveraging smart devices, then turning your WiFi completely off when you’re going to be away for an extended period of time is a really useful tip. We would highly recommend that you do get into the home automation space and begin to learn how effective smart devices and smart technology can help make life a little better.
Is enabling a content filter through a DNS an effective approach to protecting your family from the explicit nature of the internet? We wanted to briefly talk about something we’ve seen recently that is a unique approach to creating a filter for your internet. Content filters are actually a really good way to help protect your house from a lot of the negative things existing there. It’s definitely not a perfect solution. But it’s just one more effective measure we can take to help filter out the bad from coming into our world.
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the internet. Humans access information online through domain names, like NYTimes or ESPN. But web browsers interact with IP addresses instead. DNS translates these into a human-readable form so that they may load resources on websites including articles from any site without needing to memorize an address which can become outmoded over time.
What Is A DNS Filter
A DNS filter blocks a website that it believes is harmful or is hosting malicious content. By blocking access, you can prevent your computer (or any device connected to your network) from downloading and executing potentially dangerous programs on the internet. This way they won’t have any opportunity of infecting one of your systems with malware because they will not even get through! And it’s not just malware either. If you want to block or filter social media sites, or video sites, or gaming sites…it’s easy to do so.
A lot more goes into determining what websites are deemed “bad” than just their URL alone, so these DNS filters check many other factors before deciding if an IP deserves isolation.
Let’s Talk Content Filters
What is content filtering? A content filter is a use of a program, software, or app to filter or “screen” out access to certain web pages (and email) that are defined as bad. You would install a content filter or enable a content filter for your network. In most cases, a program is going to help you select different categories you deem inappropriate for your house to view on the internet. What this will do is help you control content with all the devices in your home connected to your network. So if you want to make sure that pornography or anything like pornography is blocked from the internet in your house, then you can checkmark it. Let’s say you have somebody in your family that suffers from gaming addiction, you can make sure that gaming sites are blocked in your house.
A content filter is really just going to help you block the things your family sees as negative or inappropriate. Although you install a content filter on your network instead of on an individual device, we highly recommend still installing programs at the individual device level for added protection. But when you install a content filter on the network, it’s actually going to cover every device in your home (at least those connected to the network), so this means smart TVs, gaming systems, mobile devices, and tablets; basically, anything that has a screen which could give one access to the internet. A content filter is going to help protect all of those devices. even the ones that might not have a good monitoring app built into them like a gaming system.
Should You Add Content Filtering At The DNS Level?
As always, you should do what’s best for your family. What might be acceptable in one family might not be acceptable for others. We’re all about multiple levels of protection. Kids are smart. The folks behind getting the bad content in front of our eyes are even smarter (heck…most of them make their living doing it). In almost any situation where we’re trying to protect and monitor internet use in the home, there is probably some method or idea to circumvent that protection. People and brands (good and bad) are always competing for eyeballs because eyeballs mean cash. But…sometimes what is put out on the internet isn’t meant for everyone.
Guess what? There really aren’t many perfect solutions to this. And because of that, every little level and a layer of added security is just one more weapon in our arsenal to help us accomplish our goals with proper use of the internet in the home. Should you add content filtering at the DNS level? Absolutely. Is it a perfect solution? Far from it.
