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You can’t prove a home network is completely safe, but you can reduce common risks by securing your router and the devices connected to it. Start with Wi-Fi encryption, replace default passwords, install updates, and turn off router features you do not need.
Check your Wi-Fi encryption
Open your router’s wireless security settings and use WPA3 Personal if it is available. WPA2 Personal is also an acceptable option in the Federal Trade Commission’s home Wi-Fi guidance. WPA and WEP are outdated and insecure.
If the router offers neither WPA2 nor WPA3, check for a firmware update first. If those options remain unavailable, consider replacing the router—particularly if it no longer receives security updates.
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Replace the default passwords and network name
Set a unique password for Wi-Fi and a different, unique password for the router administrator account. The Wi-Fi password lets devices join the network; the administrator password controls router settings, including safeguards that could otherwise be changed.
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Change the default network name as well. Avoid using your name, address, or router brand in the network name or passwords. These changes are separate: changing the Wi-Fi password does not also change the administrator password.
Install router updates
Check the manufacturer’s instructions or website for firmware updates, and register for update notices if that option is offered. If your internet provider supplied the router, ask whether it installs updates automatically. Menu labels and update procedures vary by manufacturer and provider, so follow the instructions for your specific router.
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Disable router features you do not need
The FTC recommends turning off remote management, WPS, and UPnP when they are not needed because they can weaken security.
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- WPS can let devices join Wi-Fi without entering the network password. Turn it off if you do not rely on it to connect devices.
- UPnP lets devices find one another on the network. Check your devices’ instructions before disabling it if you rely on that discovery feature.
Router settings and device requirements differ. If you are unsure whether a feature is needed, consult the router or device instructions before changing it.
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Set up a guest network
Use a separate guest network name and password for visitors so you do not have to share the credentials for your main Wi-Fi. Guest networks can also separate visitors’ devices from devices on the primary network, depending on the router’s design.
For internet-connected cameras, the FTC advises considering a separate network from computers and printers if your router supports one. A guest network is a useful boundary, not a substitute for securing each device.
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Check the firewall and devices on your network
Confirm that the router firewall is enabled if your router provides one. Then review its connected-device list to look for devices you recognize and ones you no longer use. A router’s device list may identify equipment in unfamiliar ways; check device instructions or settings before assuming an entry is an intruder.
For each connected device, change factory-set credentials, enable multifactor authentication (MFA) where offered, install firmware and app updates, and disable remote access you do not use. Disconnect devices that are no longer in service. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s connected-device tip sheet also emphasizes changing factory credentials, using MFA where available, and applying updates.
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Keep or replace your router?
Assess the router against the safeguards that matter for your home rather than replacing it by default. The FTC’s guidance supports these practical checks:
| What to check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Encryption | WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal; WPA and WEP are outdated and insecure. |
| Security updates | Whether updates are still available and whether you or your internet provider installs them. |
| Network controls | Whether the router provides a guest network and a firewall. |
| Device compatibility | Whether the router’s available settings work with the devices in your household. |
Check for updates and ask your provider about its update practices before deciding to replace an ISP-supplied router. Consider a replacement if an update cannot provide WPA2 or WPA3, or if the router no longer receives security support. These checks do not identify a particular model or guarantee that any router is safe.
What a home network safety check can tell you
Completing these checks reduces common risks; it does not prove the network is completely safe. A well-configured router cannot protect a connected device that uses weak credentials or obsolete software. Router capabilities, settings, and update practices vary by model, provider, and connected device, so review both the router and each device.
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