Create a guest WiFi network to keep your home network secure. While all of the devices in your home are typically connected to one local area network LAN , a guest network essentially creates a new access point to the internet that works independently. In other words, when a new phone or laptop connects to your WiFi via a guest network, it will be kept separate from any computers, speakers, or other devices on your main network. A guest network is a great way to defend against security threats like worms, botnets, or other malicious programs.
Should a visitor bring an already-infected device into your home, or accidentally download a virus while there, being connected to your secondary network will prevent them from infecting your primary network.
If you are someone who reuses your passwords often it means that you could be leaving many of your other accounts vulnerable whenever you share your WiFi password. A visitor, and any unwanted threats that come in with them, could remember and exploit this password in the future. A guest network, on the other hand, uses a different password and limits access to other files, data and personal information that can be found on your main network.
A guest network will keep your devices safe not only from external threats, but also from internal ones. Many smart home devices like video game consoles and smart TVs are exponentially easier to hack into than hardware that is continuously updated, like your computers.
This is especially true for anyone working from home. But most reasonably modern routers have it. Having selected the relevant check box, add the name of the guest network called SSID in the control panel of some routers — this is the name that your friends will see in the list of available connections.
In some routers, guest Wi-Fi access will immediately kick in; others might need extra tweaking. All set! You have now configured a guest Wi-Fi network that both provides secure Internet access and protects your local devices.
Incidentally, a guest Wi-Fi network is a good idea not only if you have lots of friends, but also if you have lots of home smart devices. Smart TVs, smart teapots, video game consoles, and the like also need an Internet connection. But they tend to be far more vulnerable than computers with the latest updates installed.
That means that if they are connected to the main network and hacked, intruders can get into your other devices. Among other things, botnets are used to spread various malware, and if your computer has been turned into a zombie, this malicious code basically has an open pass to its memory.
Connecting all IoT devices to a correctly configured guest network instead of the main network provides additional protection against such attacks. Even if cybercriminals hack one of the IoT devices, they will not be able to penetrate your main network and compromise the computers and smartphones in it.
But in that case, your computer containing bank data and other sensitive information will remain safe. The latest versions usually patch hackable vulnerabilities. Choose a password for the guest network. This isn't required on some routers but might be something you want to use to avoid letting anyone access the network. If the router has a secondary Wi-Fi option for guests that functions like normal access on the primary network, choose a secure password.
Unless you block certain access, guests can do anything that you, the administrator, can do. That means they can download torrents illegally, spread viruses to other devices, or monitor network traffic and website passwords. Enable other options as needed. If the router supports it, restrict access to everything but the internet, or let guests access local resources like file shares.
Some Netgear routers, for example, provide a check box for administrators to allow guests to see each other and access the local network. Leaving that option disabled blocks guests from reaching local resources but allows them to get online through the shared internet connection. You may also want to limit how many guests can connect to your network at the same time.
Choose a reasonable number to prevent the network from overloading and slowing to a halt. If these instructions do not work with your router, visit the manufacturer's site for more detail. A guest Wi-Fi network is beneficial for the owner of the network and those who use it. Guest networking provides a way for users to access a network in seconds with little to no setup on their part.
Depending on how the guest network is configured, they can access the internet and local resources on the network like files , printers, and hardware peripherals.
From the administrator's point of view, the guest network broadens the reach of the network to visitors without needing to give out a network password. Guest networks also improve security because the owner can limit what guests can access, for example, the internet but not local resources.
This prevents the spread of viruses that may enter from a guest's device. Joining a guest wireless network works in much the same way as connecting to a public Wi-Fi hotspot or the Wi-Fi at a friend's house.
Guests must be provided with the network name and password to access the network. However, some guest networks are open, meaning there isn't a password to access them. Open and free Wi-Fi for guests is often found in malls, restaurants, parks, and other public places.
In places like hotels, you'll often receive the guest Wi-Fi information from the staff. For guest networks running from home, you'll most likely need to ask the owner for their Wi-Fi password. If you upload or download a lot of data, let the administrator know in advance.
Drawing a lot of bandwidth causes the network to slow down, so it's always best to get permission. Business-class routers are common platforms for guest networks, but some home routers have guest networking capabilities. Check the manufacturer's website to be sure, or look in the router settings to see if there's an option for a guest network.
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