A weak or compromised WiFi password can make you the target of a data breach, whether you work from home or at your office. Many hackers seek opportunities to guess weak passwords, take advantage of typing errors in programming, or trick people into exposing their private information.
According to a Carnegie Mellon University’s Security and Privacy Institute (CyLab) study, only one-third of users change their passwords after a data breach announcement. Negligence towards password changes can lead to significant losses and other problems for a business.
Understanding the value of changing passwords is the first step to improving your organization’s online security.
Some Passwords Are Easy to Guess
When a hacker is committed to exploiting your WiFi network to access your organization’s sensitive information, they might spend a lot of time guessing your WiFi password. You can protect your network by changing your WiFi password every few months.
Setting a complex WiFi password reduces your chances of getting hacked. Networks with weak passwords are vulnerable to WiFi viruses and malware. A strong password can protect your organization from dangerous online threats, such as WiFi viruses and man-in-the-middle attacks.
Many People May Have Access to Your WiFi
If you’ve had the same WiFi connection for a long time, the chances are that several people have access to your networks, such as former employees and guests. They may be able to access your WiFi when they’re nearby and don’t necessarily have to be inside your office for connection.
Someone outside your organization with your WiFi password may use your network for personal reasons, such as watching videos or playing games, which could slow down your speed. If they engage in suspicious activities, such as downloading illegal content, your IP address can get flagged.
You May Face Financial Losses
If somebody hacks your organization’s system via your WiFi connection, they can retrieve confidential information, such as bank account and credit card numbers. They may use those numbers to make unauthorized purchases, leading to significant financial losses. You can digitally defend yourself from losses by creating robust passwords by following guidelines provided by the FBI.
WiFi Could be a Gateway to Other Devices
When someone has access to your WiFi network, they are connected to your router and everything associated. A hacker may use this as an opportunity to access other devices, such as your computer, phone, or security devices. They may also disable the router’s firewall, allowing them to access your devices without connecting to your WiFi again.
Your Business Could Lose Credibility
Using a weak WiFi password or not following security protocols to change your password can steer clients away from your business, especially if they share sensitive information with your company.
Many organizations implement a password expiration mechanism to reduce the impact of password compromises. According to The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), this method is beneficial but not always effective.
Try to encourage your organization to take password protection seriously and encourage them not to share it with outsiders.
Changing your WiFi password may seem daunting, but it can save you from several online threats and protect your company and its employees.
