Your home networks might have a range of wireless devices on them — from computers and phones to IP cameras, voice assistants, smart TVs, and connected appliances. Taking basic steps to secure your home Wi-Fi network will help protect your devices from getting hacked — and your information from getting stolen.*
Encrypt your network- Encrypting scrambles the information sent through your network, making it harder for someone to see what you are doing and get your personal information. You encrypt your network by simply updating your router settings to either WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal. WPA3 is the newer- and best- encryption available, but both will work to scramble your information.
Change your router preset passwords- Most routers come with preset passwords located outside of the box, causing hackers to easily obtain them. It is important to change these passwords to something more complex. There are two passwords on a router that you’ll need to reset.
- Wi-Fi network password: Used to connect your devices to the network.
- Router Admin password: Lets you into the administrative side of the device where you can change certain settings.
Keep your router up-to-date- Before you set up a new router or make updates to your existing one, visit the manufacturer’s website to see if there’s a newer version of the software available for download. To make sure you hear about the latest version, register your router with the manufacturer, and sign up to get updates. You can also check with your Internet Service Provider if they send out automatic updates.
Turn off “Remote management”, WPS, and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) features- Some routers have features that can be convenient but weaken your network security. These features may make it easier to add devices to your network or let guests use your Wi-Fi — but they can actually make your network less secure.
Set up a guest network- Many routers let you set up a guest network with a different name and password. This is a great security move for two reasons:
- Having a separate login means fewer people have your primary Wi-Fi network password.
- In case a guest (unknowingly) has malware on their phone or tablet, it won’t get onto your primary network and your devices.
Log out as administrator- Once you’ve set up your router and are done changing settings, don’t forget to log out so a hacker cannot get into your administrator account.
Protect your devices- Just as hackers can get to your data through unsecured networks, they can also get to your network through unsecured devices.
*How to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network, Federal Trade Commission.