Wireless networks (Wi-Fi) are widely used by most enterprises, but at times it becomes imperative to create a separate network from the corporate Wi-Fi network for the guests.
There are several compelling reasons why this is such a vital step to take.
Well, we understand that having Wi-Fi is beneficial for staff who work in your office. It is also a great perk to offer wireless access to your customers, clients, suppliers, and auditors, as it allows them to stay connected while they are on your premises.
However, it is important to remember that not all visitors should have the same level of access to your network as your employees.
For this reason, it is crucial to have a guest network set up that is separate from your primary network.
This way, you can ensure that only authorized personnel have access to confidential information and that your network remains secure.
So, the question remains, are corporate Wi-Fi guest networks monitored? Yes, they are. Read through this article to learn more.
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Are Guest Wi-Fi Networks Monitored
With the ubiquity of smartphones and other mobile devices, businesses are seeing a massive uptick in the use of corporate guest Wi-Fi networks. However, privacy advocates are becoming increasingly concerned that these networks may be monitored and used to collect data on consumers.
While there is no substantial evidence that Corporate networks are being used to collect visitors’ personal data, there is a possibility that they are being monitored.
A company may want to monitor its guest network for a variety of reasons, such as ensuring that its bandwidth is not being used for illegal activities or to prevent data breaches.
Businesses have a duty to their consumers and workers to maintain the security of their data. For security reasons, it is crucial that businesses carefully consider the risks and benefits of providing their visitors with Wi-Fi access before coming to a conclusion.
Benefits of Monitoring and Securing Corporate Wi-Fi Guest Networks
There are several benefits to monitoring and securing corporate Wi-Fi guest networks. One of the primary benefits is that it can help businesses prevent data breaches.
As data breaches become more frequent, the risks they pose to businesses grow exponentially. By monitoring their guest Wi-Fi network, businesses can ensure that sensitive data is not being transmitted over an unsecured network.
Additionally, monitoring guest Wi-Fi networks can help businesses identify unauthorized users who may be abusing the network. By identifying these users and taking action to remove them from the network, businesses can protect their reputations and maintain the security of their data.
Monitoring corporate Wi-Fi guest networks can help businesses improve their marketing efforts.
Businesses can use the data collected in their network to better understand the needs and wants of their customers. The data can then be used to create targeted marketing campaigns that are more likely to be successful.
Recommended reading:
- Should I Turn Off Wi-Fi On My Phone at Night? (How to Disable Wi-Fi on Your Phone at Night?)
- How to Connect to a Wi-Fi Network Anonymously? (Effective Ways to Connect to Wi-Fi Anonymously)
- What Are the Different Types of Wi-Fi Networks? (Types of Wireless Networks Explained)
However, businesses should note that, under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the subject must give consent before any of their personal information can be collected or used for marketing purposes.
Finally, by allocating a specific amount of your wireless network bandwidth specifically for guests, you can guarantee that your corporate network will not be affected by guest traffic. This move leaves business interactions that need Wi-Fi connection unaffected by the presence of guests due to this separation.
In addition, you may prioritize business activities over guest activities in order for corporate traffic to utilize all of the bandwidth available in case of emergency or other high-priority events.
Factors To Consider Before Opening Corporate Wi-Fi to the Public
Before opening up your company’s Wi-Fi to the public, security should be the number one priority on your mind.
Here are some security measures that you’ll want to take before creating a Guest network:
1. Change the Default Password and SSIDs on Your Router
The first step to safeguarding your network is to change the default password of your network router. By default, most router passwords are “admin” or “password.” These are easy to guess, and hackers know this. So be sure to create a strong password that is difficult to guess. Also, it’s important to regularly change your Guest network’s password to keep it safe.
2. Use Wi-Fi Encryption
Encryption is the process of coding readable data into an unreadable form. This is done using algorithms. The most common type of encryption technology used in Wi-Fi networks is WPA2/WPA3. This type of encryption makes it more difficult for hackers to intercept data being transmitted over your network.
Wi-Fi Encryption Explained
3. Use a Networking Firewall
A firewall is a network security device that screens traffic between networks. It can be used to block all incoming traffic from the internet to your network, or it can be configured to allow only certain types of traffic.
What Is a Firewall?
4. Regularly Update Your Router’s Firmware
Firmware is permanent software that is embedded into the read-only memory of your router. Like any other software, the firmware needs to be regularly updated to patch security vulnerabilities. Hackers could easily exploit those vulnerabilities to gain access to your network. If hackers exploit these vulnerabilities, they could change the network’s configurations for a variety of malicious reasons.
5. Enable MAC Filtering
MAC filtering is a Wi-Fi security measure that allows you to specify which devices can connect to your network. MAC stands for Media Access Control. Since every device that connects to a Wi-Fi network has its own MAC address, you can establish which devices are allowed to connect to your network by enabling MAC filtering.
See the attached video for more information on the best practices for corporate Wi-Fi security
Best Practices for Corporate Wi-Fi Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions: Can you be tracked on Guest Wi-Fi?
Answer: Yes, when you connect to a guest Wi-Fi network, the owner of the network can track all your online activities. This is because the router assigns your device an IP address, which can be used to identify your device and monitor your online activities.
In addition, if the network is not secured with encryption, someone else on the same network can intercept your data. To sum it up, yes, guest Wi-Fi networks can be monitored, and you can be tracked while using them.
Question: Can company Wi-Fi see what you’re doing?
Answer: Yes, if the company is using a firewall or proxy server, it can see all the traffic going through its network. This includes all the websites you visit, the files you download, and the emails you send.
Question: Is guest Wi-Fi a security risk?
Answer: Yes, guest Wi-Fi networks can be a security risk if they are not correctly configured. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in the network to gain access to sensitive information. To reduce the risk, be sure to use encryption and a regularly updated firewall.
Question: Can my company access my texts if I’m on their Wi-Fi?
Answer: Because SMS and MMS communications are transmitted via a mobile signal, the fact that you use Wi-Fi or not has no bearing on their security. Most chat applications and services employ end-to-end encryption (E2EE). This implies that your messages are secured from an interception on your phone before being transmitted.
Question: Can my employer see my incognito history?
Answer: It’s important to remember that private browsing mode does not stop websites from identifying your internet address or from tracking your behavior online. Your employer can still access your browsing history even if you use incognito mode.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to consider the security of your network before opening it up to the public. By taking the proper security measures, you can help keep your network safe from hackers.
Additionally, using a guest network can help your business to better understand the needs and wants of your customers. If you have any enquires about the security of your network, or if you need help setting up a guest network, please contact us today. We would be happy to help you out.
Hey, I’m Jeremy Clifford. I hold a bachelor’s degree in information systems, and I’m a certified network specialist. I worked for several internet providers in LA, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Seattle over the past 21 years.
I worked as a customer service operator, field technician, network engineer, and network specialist. During my career in networking, I’ve come across numerous modems, gateways, routers, and other networking hardware. I’ve installed network equipment, fixed it, designed and administrated networks, etc.
Networking is my passion, and I’m eager to share everything I know with you. On this website, you can read my modem and router reviews, as well as various how-to guides designed to help you solve your network problems. I want to liberate you from the fear that most users feel when they have to deal with modem and router settings.
My favorite free-time activities are gaming, movie-watching, and cooking. I also enjoy fishing, although I’m not good at it. What I’m good at is annoying David when we are fishing together. Apparently, you’re not supposed to talk or laugh while fishing – it scares the fishes.