How to protect yourself against the security flaw threatening Wi-Fi networks

A gaping hole has been discovered in the WPA2 security protocol, which is the default encrypting tool for all modern Wi-Fi networks… including the one in your home. But don’t panic: for you to be hacked, the hacker would have to be within physical range of your network, which limits any risks significantly. Your devices would also have to be vulnerable to the weakness. A number of manufacturers have already published corrective measures, while others are preparing to do so. In the meantime, here are a few practical tips for dealing with the problem.

How can you protect yourself?

• Install updates: As is always the case, your devices should always have the latest updates and upgrades installed. Some patches designed to solve the WPA2 vulnerability problem will be rolled out shortly: keep an eye out for any notifications sent to your devices.

• Connect by cable: Go back to the good old methods. A connection by Ethernet cable will protect you from the problem.

• Don’t use public Wi-Fi networks: Under normal conditions this is never a good idea anyway. Ideally, you should even switch off the Wi-Fi feature on your device when you are out and about.

• Only use secure pages online: At certain critical times, such as when you’re making a payment online, always remember to make sure that the address of the webpage begins with HTTPS and that it is preceded by a little green padlock in the top bar of your browser.
   
• Don’t switch to WPA1 or WEP: These other Wi-Fi security protocols are not secure any more, in fact they are obsolete. In the same way, it’s no good changing the password for your network.