Placing your broadband router in this exact spot could be costing you money
A tech expert has warned that placing your broadband router in a certain place in your house could be costing you money.
Householders should reconsider placing their broadband router on the windowsill as it can weaken your connection by exposing it to interference and signal loss from outside elements.
However tech expert Jonathan Perumal has now identified an even bigger risk. He claims routers have crucial Wi-Fi password details printed on the back. If a savvy hacker spots this information from outside your window, they could not only gain access to your broadband network but also infiltrate your system.
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This could lead to unauthorised access to your bank account and other sensitive information.
Jonathan added: "All someone needs to do to exploit this is walk by your house. If they see your router on the windowsill and spot the details on display, they can easily connect to your Wi-Fi.
“Once someone gains access to your Wi-Fi network, they can exploit various vulnerabilities to hack your devices. They might intercept unencrypted data to capture sensitive information like login credentials and personal messages.
“They could also install malware on your devices to steal data, monitor your activities, or even take control of your system. Additionally, they might impersonate you, further compromising your privacy and security"
Jonathan said you can check if someone is using your Wi-Fi and remove them by turning your router off and on again. If you have only a few Wi-Fi devices at home, you might also unplug or turn off all of them and then observe the wireless signal light on your router.
“If the light continues to flicker even with your devices off, it indicates that someone else is using your Wi-Fi."
He added: “Use an app to monitor your Wi-Fi network for unusual devices. Several apps can automatically scan for unknown devices connected to your network. Pay close attention to any unfamiliar devices, especially if they appear at unusual times when no one else should be connected.
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“To see if someone is stealing your Wi-Fi, log in to your router’s admin page by entering 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.1 in your browser. Find the section that shows connected MAC addresses, which might be under Wireless Configuration, Wireless Status, or DHCP Client list. Check the number of devices listed; if there are more MAC addresses than devices you have in your home, someone else may be using your Wi-Fi.
“To protect your network, start by setting a strong, unique password and changing it regularly."
Another tip Jonathan offered was to keep your hub away from fish tanks , as placing it near one can cause the water to interfere with and weaken your Wi-Fi signal.
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