Your router is the front door between your home and the internet. Firewall and router security basics are part of the work I have done for businesses for years, and a few of the same habits protect a home just as well. None of these steps require special skills.
1. Change the default admin password
The admin password is the one that lets someone change your router's settings. It is different from the Wi-Fi password. Many routers come with a default one printed on a sticker or shared across many units.
- Find the router's admin page or app; the sticker on the router or its manual will tell you how.
- Sign in with the current admin details.
- Change the admin password to a long, unique one and save it in your password manager.
2. Use WPA2 or WPA3 for Wi-Fi
These are the security settings that scramble your Wi-Fi traffic. In the Wi-Fi or wireless section, choose WPA3 if all your devices support it, or a WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode, or WPA2 at minimum. Avoid anything labeled WEP or open. Give the Wi-Fi a strong password too.
3. Keep the firmware updated
Firmware is the router's built-in software. Updates fix security holes.
- Look for an automatic update setting and turn it on.
- If there is none, check for updates every few months.
- If the manufacturer no longer offers updates for your model, it is time to plan for a replacement.
4. Set up a guest network
Most routers can create a separate guest network. Use it for visitors, and also for smart devices like TVs, speakers, cameras and plugs. That way, if one of those devices has a weakness, it is kept apart from the computers and phones where your personal information lives.
A few more good habits
- Turn off remote administration unless you truly need it.
- Turn off WPS, the push-button pairing feature, if your router allows it.
- Look at the list of connected devices now and then, and ask about anything you do not recognize.
Would you like a hand going through your router settings? Get tech help.