Is my home Wi-Fi safe? What every Baby Boomer should check today
When the technician came to set up your internet connection, they probably handed you a little card or sticker with your Wi-Fi name and password on it. You connected your devices, everything worked, and you haven’t thought much about it since.
That’s completely understandable – and also worth revisiting.
Your home Wi-Fi network is the gateway through which all of your internet activity passes. Your banking, your emails, your video calls with family, your health searches — all of it travels through your router before reaching the internet. If that network isn’t properly secured, it can be accessed by others, and that creates real risks.
The good news is that securing your home Wi-Fi doesn’t require technical expertise. A few simple steps are all it takes.
What can actually go wrong with an unsecured Wi-Fi?
Let’s be specific about the risks, because vague warnings aren’t helpful.
Neighbours or passers-by using your connection. This might seem minor – someone using a little of your internet data – but it’s also a sign your network is open. More motivated people can use an unsecured or weakly secured network to monitor the websites you visit or intercept information being sent between your devices and the internet.
Default passwords that are already known. Many routers come with factory-set passwords that follow predictable patterns. Cybersecurity researchers regularly publish lists of default passwords for common routers. If your Wi-Fi password is still the one from the sticker on the back of your modem, it’s worth changing.
Outdated router software. Your router runs software, just like your phone or computer. Old software can have security weaknesses. Most modern routers update themselves automatically, but it’s worth checking.
How to check what’s connected to your network
Before changing anything, it can be useful to see what devices are already connected to your Wi-Fi. Most modern routers let you do this through an app or a web page.
If you log into your router’s settings page (usually by typing something like 192.168.1.1 into your browser’s address bar – check the sticker on your router for the exact address), you’ll often find a list of connected devices. If you see anything you don’t recognise, that’s worth investigating.
Your internet provider’s customer service team can usually walk you through this process over the phone if you’d prefer help.
Changing your Wi-Fi password
This is simpler than most people expect. The process varies slightly between routers and internet providers, but the general steps are the same.
Log into your router’s settings page using the admin username and password (usually printed on the router itself, separate from your Wi-Fi password). Find the section for wireless settings or Wi-Fi security. Change the password to something long and unique – at least 12 characters, mixing letters and numbers. Save the changes.
After you change the password, your devices will need to reconnect using the new password. This takes a few minutes but only needs to be done once.
If this sounds daunting, your internet provider’s support line can guide you through it step by step – that’s exactly what they’re there for.
Changing your Wi-Fi name
While you’re in the router settings, consider changing your Wi-Fi network name (also called the SSID). The default name often includes your router model, which gives away information to anyone scanning for networks nearby. Changing it to something neutral — your house name, a favourite place, anything that doesn’t identify you or your provider — is a small but sensible step.
Don’t use your full name or address as the network name.
Turn on the strongest available security setting
In your router’s Wi-Fi settings, you should see an option for security type or encryption. Look for WPA3 if it’s available, or WPA2 if not. Avoid WEP, which is an older and weaker security standard. Most modern routers default to WPA2 or WPA3 automatically, but it’s worth checking.
Keep your router updated
Many modern routers update their software automatically. If yours has an auto-update setting, make sure it’s turned on. If you’re unsure, your internet provider can advise whether your router is receiving updates.
A guest network for visitors
If family or visitors regularly connect to your Wi-Fi, consider setting up a guest network — a separate, limited connection that keeps your main network private. Most modern routers support this. Your guests get internet access, but they can’t see your other devices like printers, smart speakers, or computers.
Your home Wi-Fi is worth ten minutes of attention. The peace of mind it buys is worth considerably more.
For plain-English, screenshot-supported guides to securing your home network and all your other devices, Cyber Safe & Confident walks you through everything at a comfortable pace — no technical background required.
Is my home Wi-Fi safe? What every Baby Boomer should check today
When the technician came to set up your internet connection, they probably handed you a little card or sticker with your Wi-Fi name and password on it. You connected your devices, everything worked, and you haven’t thought much about it since.
That’s completely understandable – and also worth revisiting.
Your home Wi-Fi network is the gateway through which all of your internet activity passes. Your banking, your emails, your video calls with family, your health searches — all of it travels through your router before reaching the internet. If that network isn’t properly secured, it can be accessed by others, and that creates real risks.
The good news is that securing your home Wi-Fi doesn’t require technical expertise. A few simple steps are all it takes.
What can actually go wrong with an unsecured Wi-Fi?
Let’s be specific about the risks, because vague warnings aren’t helpful.
Neighbours or passers-by using your connection. This might seem minor – someone using a little of your internet data – but it’s also a sign your network is open. More motivated people can use an unsecured or weakly secured network to monitor the websites you visit or intercept information being sent between your devices and the internet.
Default passwords that are already known. Many routers come with factory-set passwords that follow predictable patterns. Cybersecurity researchers regularly publish lists of default passwords for common routers. If your Wi-Fi password is still the one from the sticker on the back of your modem, it’s worth changing.
Outdated router software. Your router runs software, just like your phone or computer. Old software can have security weaknesses. Most modern routers update themselves automatically, but it’s worth checking.
How to check what’s connected to your network
Before changing anything, it can be useful to see what devices are already connected to your Wi-Fi. Most modern routers let you do this through an app or a web page.
If you log into your router’s settings page (usually by typing something like 192.168.1.1 into your browser’s address bar – check the sticker on your router for the exact address), you’ll often find a list of connected devices. If you see anything you don’t recognise, that’s worth investigating.
Your internet provider’s customer service team can usually walk you through this process over the phone if you’d prefer help.
Changing your Wi-Fi password
This is simpler than most people expect. The process varies slightly between routers and internet providers, but the general steps are the same.
Log into your router’s settings page using the admin username and password (usually printed on the router itself, separate from your Wi-Fi password). Find the section for wireless settings or Wi-Fi security. Change the password to something long and unique – at least 12 characters, mixing letters and numbers. Save the changes.
After you change the password, your devices will need to reconnect using the new password. This takes a few minutes but only needs to be done once.
If this sounds daunting, your internet provider’s support line can guide you through it step by step – that’s exactly what they’re there for.
Changing your Wi-Fi name
While you’re in the router settings, consider changing your Wi-Fi network name (also called the SSID). The default name often includes your router model, which gives away information to anyone scanning for networks nearby. Changing it to something neutral — your house name, a favourite place, anything that doesn’t identify you or your provider — is a small but sensible step.
Don’t use your full name or address as the network name.
Turn on the strongest available security setting
In your router’s Wi-Fi settings, you should see an option for security type or encryption. Look for WPA3 if it’s available, or WPA2 if not. Avoid WEP, which is an older and weaker security standard. Most modern routers default to WPA2 or WPA3 automatically, but it’s worth checking.
Keep your router updated
Many modern routers update their software automatically. If yours has an auto-update setting, make sure it’s turned on. If you’re unsure, your internet provider can advise whether your router is receiving updates.
A guest network for visitors
If family or visitors regularly connect to your Wi-Fi, consider setting up a guest network — a separate, limited connection that keeps your main network private. Most modern routers support this. Your guests get internet access, but they can’t see your other devices like printers, smart speakers, or computers.
Your home Wi-Fi is worth ten minutes of attention. The peace of mind it buys is worth considerably more.
For plain-English, screenshot-supported guides to securing your home network and all your other devices, Cyber Safe & Confident walks you through everything at a comfortable pace — no technical background required.