Setting up your home wifi network

A strong Wi-Fi connection at home is a requirement in today's digital world. Whether surfing the internet, streaming your favorite shows, or working from home, the importance of a secure and fast Wi-Fi network cannot be ignored. In this guide, we will talk about the process of setting up a home Wi-Fi network, how to secure the best home wifi connection, and how to control your home wifi network.

How Do I Setup a WiFi Network at Home

First, let's talk about how to setup home wifi network.

• Choose an ideal spot for your wireless router: The perfect location for a wireless router is centrally placed. It should be away from obstructions that may hinder the signal. Do not place the router near the microwave, walls, or near windows.
• Switch off the modem: Switch off the DSL modem, fiber, or cable from your internet service provider before connecting your devices.
• Connect the router to the modem: Connect an Ethernet cable into the router's WAN port. Then, connect the Ethernet cable's other end to the modem.
• Connect your device to the router: Connect one end of another Ethernet cable to the LAN port's router. Also, connect the Ethernet cable' to the other end into the laptop's Ethernet port. It's a temporary wiring. You can remove the cable once the network setup is completed.
• Power up the computer, router, and modem: Turn on these devices. First, turn on the modem. Once all the lights on the modem are on, you will switch on the router. After turning on the router, switch on the computer.
• Visit the router's management web page: Open a browser and enter the router administration page's IP address. You can easily find this information in the router documentation. (it looks something like this 192.168.1.1). You can also find the login information in the manual.
  
• Change the default username and admin password for the router: This setting is normally available on the router admin page in a section or a tab called Administration. Use a strong password that you will remember.
• Add WPA2 security: Go to the router admin page and then you will find the WPA2 security in the wireless security section. You can choose which type of encryption to use and type a password of at least 8 characters.
  

WPA2 is more secure than WEP. You can use mixed WPA/WPA2 with older wireless adapters, or you can use WPA. WPA3 is another alternative for the latest hardware. However, its compatibility is restricted.

• Change the SSID or wireless network name: Go to the wireless network information section of the router administration page. Now, select a descriptive name for your SSID to easily identify your network.
• Set up the wireless adapter on the system: Once you are done by saving the configuration settings of the router, you can unplug the cable that joins the router and the computer. Then, connect a PC card wireless adapter or USB to the laptop if it doesn't have a built-in wireless adapter installed. Your PC may automatically install the drivers. You may also need to use the installation CD that is included with the adapter.
• Connect to the new wireless network: On your laptop, computer, and other wireless-enabled devices, you can discover the new network you installed and connect to the network.

How to Secure WiFi Network at Home

Despite setting up the network, It is also important to secure your Wi-Fi network. A secure and reliable Wi-Fi network will help maintain the stability and speed of your connection, stop unauthorized access, and secure your data. Read the below steps on how to secure wifi network at home -

1. Use strong password

The default password given by your Internet Service Provider can be easily cracked with a bot. Cybercriminals can easily exploit your personal data with the default password. Therefore, it is important that you use a strong password with at least 16 characters. It should contain special characters, random numbers, and a mix of letters.

2. Change the network name

When you change your password, you should also change the network name of your router. The network name is also referred to as SSID or Service Set Identifier. Cybercriminals tend to target networks that have default SSIDs as it means that the owner has insufficient cyber hygiene and can expose the ISP. Always use an SSID that doesn't comprise any of your personal details, like your name.

3. Turn on your router's encryption

WiFi encryption sends all your details via a coder, and only people on your private network can decode it. This prevents cyber criminals from stealing your information by monitoring you. Hence, you must update your router's encryption.

4. Regularly update your router

You can easily prevent cyber-attacks on your WiFi network by updating your router. The network provider companies release software patches. You can use them to update your router and address any vulnerabilities.

5. Disable SSID broadcasting

You might have noticed a list of WiFi networks on your computer whenever you turn on the WiFi options. This long list of WiFi networks is called as 'SSID broadcasting.' You should turn off this broadcasting so that the cybercriminals or your neighbors can't see your network on the list. Just go to your WiFi settings and turn off this broadcast.

6. Use a VPN for further security

A VPN protects your data on public WiFi networks, for example, at the coffee shop or the library. It may not always be essential to use with your protected home network. However, some people prefer using a VPN even at home to stop their ISP from tracking their online movements.

How to Control Your Home Wi-Fi Network

How to control your home wifi network involves managing who gets its access, who will monitor its performance, and who will make adjustments as required to ensure its security and optimal speed.

1. Manage Devices Connected to Your Network

Keep checking which devices are connected to your home Wi-Fi network. Just log in to your router's admin panel and see the list of connected devices. If you see any unknown devices, it may imply unauthorized access. In this case, immediately change your Wi-Fi password and reconnect your devices with the new password.

2. Set Up Parental Controls

If there are kids at your home, you need to set up parental controls on your Wi-Fi network. It will aid you in managing the content type they can access on the browser.

3. Check Wi-Fi Performance and Speed

Frequently check your internet speed to ensure that you get the best home Wi-Fi connection. There are many tools that can aid you in checking your network's performance. If you observe connectivity issues or slow speeds, try to restart your router or upgrade your internet plan.

4. Limit Bandwidth Usage

If your internet is slowed down because of numerous devices using your internet at once, you can control the usage of the bandwidth.

5. Update Your Router's Firmware

Router creators often release firmware updates to improve performance and security vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Now that you know so many different ways on how do I setup a wifi network at home, you should be capable of producing a secure digital atmosphere for your family. All the strategies mentioned here will help you manage screen time, prevent your kids from seeing harmful content, and increase productivity. So, take a proactive approach and enjoy the perks of the internet.

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