Note: because detection relies on signatures-known patterns that can identify code as malware-even the best antivirus will not provide adequate protections against new and advanced threats, such as zero-day exploits and polymorphic viruses. Additionally, be sure to enable automatic virus definition updates to ensure maximum protection against the latest threats. CISA recommends that all computers and mobile devices on your home network run antivirus software.
Many antivirus solutions are extremely easy to install and intuitive to use. It can automatically detect, quarantine, and remove various types of malware, such as viruses, worms, and ransomware.
A reputable antivirus software application is an important protective measure against known malicious threats. (See Choosing and Protecting Passwords for more information.) This way, if one of your accounts is compromised, the attacker will not be able to breach any other of your accounts.
Additionally, do not use the same password with multiple accounts. Choose strong passwords to help secure your devices. Leaving these unchanged creates opportunities for malicious cyber actors to gain unauthorized access to information, install malicious software, and cause other problems. These default credentials are not secure-they may be readily available on the internet, or may even be physically labeled on the device itself. Most network devices are pre-configured with default administrator passwords to simplify setup.
Many software and hardware products come “out of the box” with overly permissive factory-default configurations intended to make them user-friendly and reduce the troubleshooting time for customer service.
This is especially true with new computer systems on which vendors will often pre-install a large number of trial software and applications-referred to as “bloatware”-that users may not find useful. Unused or unwanted services and software can create security holes on a device’s system, which could lead to an increased attack surface of your network environment. Disable all unnecessary services to reduce the attack surface of your network and devices, including your router. Remove unnecessary services and software.(See Understanding Patches and Software Updates.) If automated updates are not available, consider purchasing a software program that identifies and centrally manages all installed software updates. Most modern software applications will automatically check for newly released updates. Besides adding new features and functionality, software updates often include critical patches and security fixes for newly discovered threats and vulnerabilities.
Regular software updates are one of the most effective steps you can take to improve the overall cybersecurity posture of your home networks and systems. How do I improve the security of my home network?īy following some of the simple but effective mitigation techniques below, you can significantly reduce the attack surface of your home network and make it more difficult for a malicious cyber actor to launch a successful attack. If a network connects to the internet, it is inherently more vulnerable and susceptible to outside threats. Most attacks are not personal in nature and can occur on any type of network-big or small, home or business. Their devices are “secure enough” right out of the box.