How-To
How To Change Your Wi-Fi Password To Keep Intruders At Bay
Changing your Wi-Fi password from the factory default to something more secure can easily be done in just a few steps.
You don’t leave the front door to your home unlocked, hoping nobody decides to walk in, do you? Similarly, you should never use the default Wi-Fi password (or, even worse, no password at all) because anyone could come in uninvited and steal your internet bandwidth or capture your personal information.
Fortunately, changing the default Wi-Fi password to something more secure can be done in a couple of minutes. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Open Your Router’s Admin Panel
Every router has an admin panel that can be accessed by entering a specific IP address in the URL bar of your web browser. In most cases, the IP address is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but exceptions do exist. If neither of the two addresses works, look for the right one at the bottom or rear side of your router.
Step 2: Log In With The Admin Username & Password
With the admin panel opened in your web browser, you should see a login prompt. Enter the admin username (typically admin or root) and the admin password (you can try admin, root, or 12345 if you haven’t changed the password before).
Step 3: Go To The Wireless Security Section
There should be a section called Wireless, and it should contain a subsection called Wireless Security or something similar. If you can’t find it, please consult the manufacturer of your router.
Step 4: Enter The New Password In The Correct Field
Make sure to pick a password that can’t be brute-forced or easily guessed. The password should be at least 8 characters long, and it should include letters, numbers, and special characters. Long passphrases are also great options.
Step 5: Save Your Settings And Restart The Router
Your Wi-Fi network will be unavailable for a moment, and you’ll have to log in to it again using the new password with all your Wi-Fi devices.
Also Read: Everything You Need To Know About Wi-Fi 6
That’s how easy it is to change your Wi-Fi password to keep industries at bay! Since the steps described in this article can be applied to most routers with a traditional web-based admin panel, we encourage you to share them with your friends and loved ones.