Guide 01
Secure your home network
Your router is the front door to everything you do online. A few small adjustments — most of them take under five minutes — can close the doors scammers usually try first. Here's exactly what to do, in plain language.
Your router is the front door
Think of your home Wi-Fi router the way you'd think about your front door. You don't leave it unlocked; you don't hand the key to strangers; and every few years you check the locks still work. The same idea applies online — and like a real door, it's mostly small habits, not hard tech.
The 10-step checklist
Work through these in order — most can be done in one afternoon.
- 01
Change the default admin password
Every router comes with a generic password printed on a sticker — and scammers know them all. Open your router's settings page and set a strong, unique password you save in a password manager.
- 02
Rename your Wi-Fi (SSID)
Don't leave the name as 'Linksys' or 'NETGEAR-A2'. Give it a friendly name that doesn't reveal your address, family name, or router brand.
- 03
Use WPA3 or WPA2 with a strong password
These are the modern Wi-Fi security settings. Avoid older 'WEP' or 'open' networks. Your Wi-Fi password should be at least 12 characters.
- 04
Enable automatic firmware updates
Firmware is the software inside your router. Updates fix security holes — turn on auto-updates so you never have to remember.
- 05
Turn off WPS
WPS is a one-button-pairing feature that's convenient but has a well-known weakness. Disable it unless you specifically need it.
- 06
Set up a separate guest Wi-Fi
When friends or contractors visit, give them the guest network. It keeps their devices away from your personal computers and printers.
- 07
Disable remote management
Unless you specifically need to control your router from outside the house, turn this off. It closes a door scammers love to try.
- 08
Limit Bluetooth on always-on devices
Smart speakers, TVs and printers often leave Bluetooth open. Turn it off when you're not pairing something — fewer doors to watch.
- 09
Restart your router weekly
A simple unplug-and-replug clears memory glitches and installs pending updates. Pick a day — Sunday morning works for many.
- 10
Replace your router every five years
Older routers stop receiving security updates. If yours is from before 2019, it's time to budget for a new one.