Securing Your WiFi Connection

It’s important to regularly apply updates to your router at home, as delaying updates opens your network and internet connection up to vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors. Not only can router updates introduce new features or resolve existing bugs, they regularly include security patches designed to protect you from the latest malware and other new security threats.

Instructions for updating your router

While instructions for updating your router will differ depending on the brand and model, steps most commonly include:

1. Accessing your router’s Admin Console by entering your router’s Internet Protocol (IP) address into the search bar of your browser. IP addresses are commonly printed on your physical router. If you’re unable to identify it, consult your router’s manual.
2. Logging in using your username and password. If you have not logged into your router before, look through your router’s manual for instructions for creating a username and password.
3. Once logged in, navigating to the Update or Firmware section. 
4. If an update is available, you will be prompted to download the update file or will be directed to your router manufacturer’s website to download the update.
5. Once installed, reboot your router for the update to be applied.

Don’t give hackers easy access to your WiFi connection – always ensure you’re using a strong password (or ideally a passphrase) for your WiFi network that can’t be easily guessed or brute force cracked. Once an attacker is able to join your network, they can use it as a stepping stone for accessing devices, files and data connected to the network.

Your WiFi network uses encrypted security protocols to protect your network and make it more difficult for bad actors to access your data. While wireless networks are less secure than wired connections, by using the correct WiFi security protocol you can help better protect your connection.

Choose WPA2, WPA3 or AES security protocols

To protect yourself, we recommend that your router uses WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), WiFi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) or Advanced Encryption Standards (AES) security protocols to protect your network. These second and third generation security protocols offer enhanced encryption standards that are better equipped to protect your network from today’s most common network threats.

Avoid using Temporal Key Integrity Protocols (TKIP), Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or WiFi Protected Access (WPA) security protocols as they are first generation security standards that are unable to provide the same level of protection as newer protocols.

How to select your WiFi security protocol

Although instructions will differ depending on your router’s brand and model, steps often include:

1. Accessing the Admin Console of your router by typing your router’s IP address into the search bar of your browser? Unsure of your IP address? It may be listed on your physical router or in your router’s manual.
2. Navigating to your router’s Security Settings.
3. From the Security Settings, selecting a WPA2, WPA3 or AES security protocol. If none of these options are available, you may need to update your router.
4. If you haven’t done so already, you may be prompted to create a strong password for your router.
5. Saving or applying your changes and rebooting your router.
6. Reconnecting your devices to your wireless network and signing in using your password.

Protect your WiFi connections by using CIRA’s Canadian Shield Domain Name System (DNS)

The Canadian Internet Registry Association (CIRA)’s Canadian Shield Domain Name System (DNS) (external link)  is a free DNS service for your home’s router that can help protect your WiFi network from malware. When used, CIRA’s Canadian Shield will prevent you from visiting websites it suspects of including malware, phishing attempts or other fraudulent activities.

Access instructions for downloading and using CIRA’s Canadian Shield. (external link)