Being able to create a Wi-Fi access point is something very useful and that millions of users use every day. Data bonuses are increasingly extensive or even unlimited, which means that we can share the connection with laptops and other users. These connections are generally made on a temporary basis, but they do not entail fewer security risks. For this reason, it is almost obligatory to follow minimum guidelines when we activate this type of connection.
Sharing our data allows us to turn our mobile into a Wi-Fi access point. This means that other devices can detect it like a conventional Wi-Fi network, and connect, taking advantage of the data traffic of our rate. However, there will always be someone on the lookout to try to breach security. If the problem comes from a vulnerability or security breach that is beyond our control, we will not be able to do anything, but we can always try to make things a bit more difficult.
Improve the security of your Wi-Fi access point
Change the access point name
This, which a priori may be secondary, is very important. By default , our access point will be called as our mobile, either in its commercial variant or with its model number. This can be taken advantage of by those looking for specific vulnerabilities in this model. If we hide this information, we will make things more difficult. You can change this name for a phrase and even for a fake mobile model in order to play the game.
Make it hard with the password
The Wi-Fi access point also comes with a default password. This advice is applicable similar to the one usually recommended with routers, that is, change the default password for your own, and always as complicated as possible. This means that we use letters, numbers, special characters and both upper and lower case. If we are lacking in imagination, there are websites dedicated to generating passwords automatically, following these patterns or others that we consider, such as the length of the key.
Connect with QR
Beyond singing loudly, or sharing through other means, the password of our Wi-Fi zone, the function allows you to generate a QR code to connect to the network through a simple scan. When we reactivate the network, a different code is generated, so it is very useful to increase security.
Number of connected devices
Pay attention to this option, which is often overlooked. If we know for sure the number of devices that are going to connect to our Wi-Fi network (one or two generally), we must limit the number of connections accepted by the Wi-Fi access point. This will mean that although a third party may know the access password , the connection will be rejected as the maximum number of connected devices has been reached.
Deactivate after finishing
This option is quite logical, since when the Wi-Fi access point is no longer used, it is best to deactivate the option. However, some mobiles include the option to “Deactivate automatically”. This means that as soon as there are no connected devices, the Wi-Fi access point will automatically terminate, avoiding possible unauthorized access and of course, the consequent energy consumption.