What The Tech: Protecting your Wi-Fi routers against hackers
BY JAMIE TUCKER, Consumer Technology Reporter
Most of us connect dozens of devices to our home Wi-Fi network, but when’s the last time you checked how secure that network really is? The FBI has warned Americans about the risks of some wi-fi routers, and it’s advice many people still haven’t followed.
Every Wi-Fi router comes with a default username and password. Whether that’s one you rent from your provider, or one you purchase yourself. You’ll usually find it on a sticker.
But here’s the problem: those factory logins are also available online. And someone who knows what they’re doing, and knows your router model, can locate your IP address, and log into that router remotely.
YouTube is filled with videos showing hackers taking control of compromised routers.
Remember the incident where a hacker talked to a little girl through a smart camera in her
bedroom? The camera company said the fault wasn’t theirs; it was an unsecured WiFi router.
That’s why the first thing you should do is change the router’s login credentials. Most newer
routers walk your through this in the app during setup. And while you’re there, make sure the
router is using WPA3 encryption.
A lot of people skip this step because they want the Wi-Fi login easy for guests, especially in
vacation rentals. But there’s a better way:
Use a free QR code generate to create an automatic login. All they have to do is scan the code
with their phone to be connected instantly.
And don’t ignore router firmware updates. Like your other devices, routers need updates to stay
protected from the latest threats.
Leaving your router on default settings is like leaving the front door unlocked. One small
change, can protect everything and everyone in your home.
