Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To secure a home Wi-Fi network, use WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal, replace default router and Wi-Fi passwords, install available updates, disable features you do not use, and check that the firewall is enabled. If your router only offers obsolete WEP or WPA security and cannot be updated to support WPA2, plan to replace or retire it.
1. Set Wi-Fi encryption to WPA3 or WPA2
Encryption helps protect information sent over your wireless network. In the router’s wireless or Wi-Fi settings, choose WPA3 Personal if it is supported. If not, WPA2 Personal is also a suitable choice. The FTC recommends either option and describes WPA3 as the newer, best encryption available.
Avoid legacy WEP or WPA. If those are the only choices in your router settings, check for a firmware update first. If WPA2 or WPA3 remains unavailable, consider replacing the router. A lack of WPA3 alone is not a reason to replace a router that supports WPA2.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute2. Change the router and Wi-Fi passwords
These credentials protect different things. The router administrator password allows someone to change network settings; the Wi-Fi password controls who can join the wireless network. Change both if either is still set to its default.
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
- Administrator login: Replace the default username and password where the router allows it. Use a password not used for any other account.
- Wi-Fi network: Choose a unique network name and password. Do not include personal details or the router brand in the network name.
Use your router manual or your internet service provider’s instructions to find the settings; menu labels vary by model. The FTC’s home Wi-Fi security guidance covers changing default router credentials and choosing a network name and password.
3. Keep router software updated
Router software updates can address security problems. Check the manufacturer’s website for your model’s update instructions and support status. If your internet provider supplied the router, ask whether it installs updates automatically and whether the device is still supported. The update method and support lifetime depend on the router and provider, so there is no single schedule that applies to every household.
Rank #2
- OneMesh Compatible Router - Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders
- Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 Technology – The Archer AX10 leverages advanced Wi-Fi 6 features like OFDMA and 1024-QAM to deliver improved efficiency across your entire network. Perfect for high-bandwidth activities like streaming, gaming, and smart home connectivity.
- Next-gen Dual Band router - 300 Mbps on 2. 4 GHz (802. 11n) plus 1201 Mbps on 5 GHz (802. 11ax)
- Connect more devices than ever before - Wi-Fi 6 technology simultaneously communicates more data to more devices using OFDMA and MU-MIMO while reducing lag dramatically
- Powerful Dual-Core 900MHz Processor – Handles multiple data streams simultaneously for reliable performance across your devices. Ensures smooth streaming, online gaming, and video conferencing without buffering or lag.
Turn on automatic updates if the router offers that option. NIST’s April 2, 2025 smart-home guidance recommends automatic updates where available and says to consider replacing or retiring devices that can no longer receive updates.
4. Turn off features you do not need
Look in the router settings or manual for these features. The FTC recommends disabling them when they are not needed because they can weaken security:
Rank #3
- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
- Remote management: Allows access to router controls over the internet. Turn it off if you do not need to manage the router from outside your home.
- Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS): Provides a button-based way to connect devices. Disable it if you do not use it.
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP): Lets devices discover one another and request network connections. Turn it off if your devices and applications do not depend on it.
Feature names and dependencies differ among routers. Check your model’s documentation or ask your provider before changing a setting if you are unsure whether something relies on it. See the FTC’s recommendations on optional router features.
5. Use separate access for guests and smart-home devices
Set up a guest network for visitors so you do not have to share your main Wi-Fi password. The FTC says a guest network may also help prevent malware on a guest’s device from reaching devices on the primary network.
Rank #4
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
If your router supports it, consider placing smart-home devices—such as cameras and connected appliances—on a separate network. NIST recommends considering network separation for smart-home devices in its smart-home security guidance. Guest and device network features vary: do not assume they fully isolate devices unless your router documentation confirms how the feature works.
6. Check the firewall and connected devices
Confirm that the router’s built-in firewall is enabled. Then review its connected-device list from time to time. If you see a device you do not recognize, investigate it using the router’s device details and the devices in your home; do not assume every unfamiliar name is an intruder, since devices may use unexpected names.
Best Value
- 𝐆𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐅𝐢 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟖𝐊 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 – Up to 5400 Mbps WiFi for faster browsing, streaming, gaming and downloading, all at the same time. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, & obstacles such as walls.
- 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐅𝐢 𝟔 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 – Equipped with 4T4R and HE160 technologies on the 5 GHz band to enable max 4.8 Gbps ultra-fast connections.Power:12 V 2.5 A
- 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 – Supports MU-MIMO and OFDMA to reduce congestion and 4X the average throughput
- 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 - Covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. High-Power FEM, 6× Antennas, Beamforming, and 4T4R structures combine to adapt WiFi coverage to perfectly fit your home and concentrate signal strength towards your devices.
- 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 – Improved vented areas help unleash the full power of the router
Secure the devices that connect to the router, too: install their updates, use unique passwords, and disconnect older devices you no longer use if their security is out of date. The FTC’s connected-device guidance covers updates, unique passwords, and reviewing connected clients. Router security is one layer of protection, not a substitute for securing phones, computers, cameras, and other devices.
Should you replace your router?
Check three things before deciding: the encryption options it supports, whether it still receives software updates, and whether a replacement will work with your internet service and household devices.
| What to check | Keep the router if… | Consider replacement if… |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi encryption | It supports WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal. | It offers only WEP or legacy WPA, even after you check for updates. |
| Software support | The manufacturer or internet provider still supplies updates, including automatically where applicable. | It no longer receives updates. Support status is specific to the router model and provider. |
| Compatibility | It works with your internet service and the devices you need to connect. | A replacement is necessary for compatibility; verify requirements with your provider and check household-device support before buying. |
The FTC’s replacement guidance supports replacing a router that cannot provide WPA2 or WPA3 after updates; it does not make WPA3 a requirement if WPA2 is available. NIST’s IR 8425A, published in September 2024, sets out cybersecurity outcomes and related requirements for consumer-grade router products. It provides product-security context, not a recommendation for a particular router model.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
