5 Reasons to Set Up a Guest Network on Your Router

 

5 Reasons to Set Up a Guest Network on Your Router

Concerned about your Wi-Fi network security? Consider setting up a guest network for easier network management.

Your router is a gateway to the Internet. This is an entry point for hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities. Do you trust your router to protect your network?

One way to increase Wi-Fi security is to set up a guest network on your router. Here’s how to do it and five reasons why a guest wireless network can improve network security.

How to set up a guest network on your router

A guest network is a network that runs parallel to the standard network on your router. Both originate from the same router, but they have different SSIDs (Service Set Identifier, the router’s broadcast name).

Setting up a guest network on a router is easy

That is, assuming your router has a guest network option. Because wireless routers vary so much from manufacturer to manufacturer, it’s hard to outline specific instructions for them.

So, in general terms, you have two options for setting up a guest network:

Documentation Check the documentation, find the Guest Network option, enable it.

Create the guest network manually

Whether your router supports guest networks will determine whether you can use it or not. If the router does not have a guest network option, you may consider installing DD-WRT or other custom router firmware.

But why do you really need a guest network installed on your router?

These five points should convince you.

1. Stay safe from hackers

Hackers want your data. They want to control your devices, force you to pay for release, rummage for interesting data, steal your identity, that kind of thing.

You can take measures against this by securing your router.

For best results, make sure you change the default password on your router. Also, take the time to change (or hide) the SSID for the main network.

Then create a guest network to obscure the “real” network. Unless you are specifically targeted by hackers, they are unlikely to spend time looking for a possible secondary network. They are more likely to take the easy option.

2. Keep your smart home devices separate

Smart home technology and Internet of Things (IoT) devices are not known for their inherent security. No doubt the situation is improving, many devices (smart cameras, lights, locks) are sold with security flaws.

These flaws allow hackers to access devices remotely. There’s potential for more access to other devices on your network, especially apps running hardware to control smart home gear.

By using a guest network for smart home and IoT devices, you protect other hardware. Laptops, PCs, tablets and phones, NAS devices, consoles — they are securely connected to your main network. It makes sense to move away from those that collect your important data to devices with less robust security.

3. No need to share your router’s master password

You have guests. Maybe it’s a party night, or a babysitter. The guest(s) will want access to your Wi-Fi network. Do you give them a passkey?

Tempting, allowing guest access while suggesting they use their own mobile internet connection is a better option.

Now, many routers ship with a feature called WPS. Wi-Fi Protected Setup was intended to allow devices to easily connect to wireless routers. However, this gave hackers an opportunity for exploitation, and has been discouraged from use.

Actually, WPS should be disabled on your wireless router. If it’s not, disable it right away.

Instead of WPS, visitors can be instructed to use your guest network. Keep your router’s master password a secret.

4. Manage access to your router

Another benefit of using a guest network is that you can manage access to your router. So, keep your TV, console, PC etc. connected to the main network. Save the guest network for visitors, kids, smart home devices and so on.

That way, you know the hardware you depend on is securely connected, safe from intrusions from other devices.

It’s worth taking the time to check who has access to your network from time to time. You can do this by signing in to the router’s admin screen. Alternatively, use an app like Fing, a network tool available for Android and iPhone. This will display all the devices on the selected network.

This is a useful way to see what connections have been made and which devices you may want to exclude from your network.

5. Disable the guest network to limit access

Finally, you can disable the guest network without losing connectivity to other hardware. Why can you do this?

First, there may be a problem with your IoT or smart home tech. It’s obviously wise to keep it separate from your main network. It’s wise to disable the hardware’s Internet connection while keeping your other more reliable technology online. After all, you may have to research the problem.

Second, you may want to disable access to the guest network. Perhaps the visitor has overstayed their welcome or the child is watching children’s shows on Prime Video.

Although parental control software is a good choice for managing children’s access to the Internet, it also works. Be sure to re-enable the guest network when it is needed again.

If your router supports guest networks, enable it!

Setting up a guest network on supported routers is simple. Enabling the feature improves security, keeping your activity private and secure. It helps prevent unauthorized access and intrusion into your network, protecting the data you send and receive.

Using a guest network on your router:

Keeps you safe from hackers

Allows you to separate smart home devices from PCs and smartphones

Avoids sharing password with visitors

Allows easy access management

Can be deactivated at any time