WiFi networks are the ones we use the most in our homes. More than anything, because they are much simpler when it comes to connecting our devices. While, by cable, we will not always have the option to do so. However, the main drawback of wireless networks are security issues .
In fact, if we are not careful, we could be allowing intruders to sneak into the network and manage to spy on us. For example, we find programs that facilitate the entry of third parties to the networks. Specifically, with software known under the name of Sniffer.
Use a sniffer
In this case, we are dealing with programs or tools that can collect information that is transmitted through a wireless network. Therefore, if we have several devices connected to the WiFi at home, it can steal the information packets that are sent or received.
For example, thanks to this type of software, it is possible to know what we are visiting from our mobile or PC, what information we send… so our privacy would be compromised at all times. However, we can also use it to our advantage, if what we want is to analyze a WiFi network to find out if there is any kind of problem. Although, we run the risk of a cybercriminal using these types of tools to learn everything about our wireless network.
Therefore, as much as it may be useful to use a sniffer to improve the security of the devices that are connected to the home wireless network, an attacker could use it maliciously against us. So it could spy on the WiFi network . Although, as we said, it can be a valuable tool to monitor the information of the wireless connection and thus know if we have any security problem, such as someone being connected to our WiFi with their mobile. But, it is important to know how we can protect ourselves from a network sniffer attack .
How to protect the connection from a sniffer attack
If we want to avoid security problems in our WiFi connection, one of the best solutions available to us is to properly protect the wireless network . As? The first thing is to have a very strong WiFi password (uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special symbols, as well as being random); encrypt WPA-2 or WPA-3 and have to update the router.
In addition to these basic steps to keep the WiFi network safe from intruders , another option with which we can further increase the security of the connection at home is to use a virtual private network, that is, a VPN . There are many alternatives that we find, both paid and free.
Although, the paid ones will offer us a better service at all times. There are both computers and other devices, such as smartphones. By using a VPN, what we are achieving is encrypting the content that we send to the network. Therefore, in this way, it is possible to prevent a sniffer from being able to collect the information , and if he steals it anyway, it is achieved that this information cannot be read.