Why You Should Turn Off Your Wi-Fi When Leaving Your House For An Extended Time – SlashGear

For the average homeowner, digital security mainly concerns direct attacks: Phishing emails, aggressive pop-ups, or something similar. However, hackers and malicious actors can install all kinds of malware on your network if given enough time uninterrupted. 

Criminals need two things to thrive — motive and access. Motive is often straightforward, but access may be harder to come by. When it comes to cybercriminals, leaving your wireless connection online while your house sits unoccupied gives them all the time they need to breach your network, especially if you have minimal defenses. It’s possible to tell when someone is using your Wi-Fi, but it’s much harder when you don’t have direct access to your router.

Unplugging your router severs this connection, making it impossible for a cyber thief to access your network without gaining physical access to your devices. This ensures that your wireless network will remain uncompromised when you return home from work or adventures. While the threat of breach may be slight for many, criminal behavior is typically characterized by opportunity rather than any unique feature you (as the potential victim) bring to the table. Removing this opportunity will reduce the odds that you’re targeted.