Lock down your router: Make your home network safer in just 15 minutes

Why the router matters

Every device in your home – phone, laptop, TV, camera – goes online through the router. If it’s poorly protected, even the best device‑level security only helps so much. Good news: the most important steps take just a few minutes.

Step 1: Open the router interface

The router’s admin address is usually on a sticker on the underside or in the manual. Often it’s a numeric address like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.178.1. Log in with the device password, which is also printed on the sticker.

Step 2: Change the device password

Many routers ship with a default password that’s random but stuck on the device for everyone to see. Older models sometimes even use the same password everywhere. Set your own long password and store it in a password manager.

Step 3: Secure the Wi‑Fi correctly

• Choose WPA3, or if not all devices support it, “WPA2/WPA3”. Never use WEP or an open network.
• Use a long Wi‑Fi password with at least 16 characters. A passphrase made of several words is easy to remember and hard to guess.
• Your SSID should reveal nothing about you – no personal name, address, or router model.

Step 4: Enable updates

Routers receive security updates regularly. Turn on automatic updates in the settings. If your device hasn’t gotten updates for years, a new router is the safer option.

Step 5: Turn off unnecessary features

• WPS (push‑button or PIN connection): convenient, but the PIN method is considered vulnerable. Disable it if you don’t need it.
• Remote access from the internet: only enable it if you actually use it.
• UPnP (devices opening ports automatically): may be needed for game consoles, otherwise leave it off.
• Port forwards: delete old rules you no longer recognize.

Step 6: Set up a guest network for visitors and smart devices

Most routers offer a separate guest Wi‑Fi. Devices on this network can reach the internet but can’t see your computers or storage. Perfect for guests – and for smart bulbs, plugs, or cameras you don’t fully trust.

Step 7: Check regularly

Every now and then, glance at the router’s device list. If you spot an unknown device, change the Wi‑Fi password – all devices will have to reconnect.

And the VPN?

A VPN encrypts your connection from the device to our server. It protects you especially on foreign networks like hotel or café Wi‑Fis. At home it doesn’t replace a well‑configured router – the two work together. Use our Home Network Check to go through your settings point by point.