Simple ways to make your home Wi-Fi more secure

If you want to know how to secure your Wi-Fi® network, start with your router. Use Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) security if it’s available and change default passwords. You can also update your router software and separate guest devices from your main network.

A poorly secured home Wi-Fi network can increase the risk of exposing browsing activity, personal files, smart home devices, and sensitive accounts to cybercriminals. Many fixes are quick and can reduce the risk of unwanted access.

• Older Wi-Fi security settings can leave home networks more exposed, even when the internet connection appears to work normally.
• WPA3 offers stronger protection than older encryption standards, but some devices may still need WPA2 compatibility.
• Default router names and passwords can give outsiders clues about your equipment and make your network easier to target.
• Guest networks, firmware updates, and device checks help limit risk as more phones, laptops, tablets, and smart home products connect.

To keep your network secure, start with the protections that help prevent outsiders from joining your network, then tighten the settings that limit what connected devices can do.

Wi-Fi encryption 101

Encryption is typically the most important Wi-Fi security setting. Wi-Fi encryption scrambles data as it travels between your device and your router. Without it, someone nearby may be able to monitor activity or try to capture sensitive information.

Encryption turns readable data into coded data, and only devices with the right key can decode it. That's important when you log in to your bank account, send photos, use telehealth services, or control smart home devices.

Most modern routers include encryption, but not all routers use the strongest setting by default. Older settings, such as Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and early WPA, are no longer considered safe for home networks.

WPA2 remains common and secure when paired with a strong password. However, WPA3 is the stronger choice when your router and devices support it.¹

Make sure encryption is turned on and set to the strongest available option to better protect your network traffic.

Subscribe to the strongest Wi-Fi encryption available

If you have a router with the latest Wi-Fi technology, such as Wi-Fi 7, you likely have access to WPA3. Since July 2020, the Wi-Fi Alliance has required new Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices to support WPA3.²

You can check by logging in to your router's admin settings and looking for the wireless security section. The exact steps vary by internet provider and router brand, but the process is usually similar.

Sigue estos pasos:

• Find your router’s Internet Protocol (IP) address. It may be printed on the router label or listed in your provider’s app. Common local addresses include 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, and 192.168.1.254.
• Log in to the admin panel. Use the router’s admin username and password. If you’ve never changed the admin credentials, replace them now.
• Open Wi-Fi security settings. Look for terms such as security mode, authentication type, or encryption.
• Choose WPA3 if available. If WPA3 is not available, choose WPA2. Avoid WEP, WPA, or “open” networks.
• Save the changes. Reconnect your devices if prompted.

Some older phones, tablets, printers, and smart devices may not work with WPA3. If that happens, look for a setting called “WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode” or “transition mode.” It lets newer devices use WPA3 while older devices use WPA2.

Encryption helps protect data in transit, but it can't protect your network if someone guesses your password. To reduce that risk, use strong credentials as your next layer of protection.

Use two strong passwords (and make them long)

Your home network typically has two passwords that matter, and you should change both. The first is the Wi-Fi password, which is the password people use to join your network. The second is the router admin password, which lets you change router settings.

Both should be long, unique, and hard to guess. The National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends strong, unique passwords and multifactor authentication (MFA) when available.³

Use these rules:

• Create passwords of at least 16 characters.
• Use a mix of words, numbers, and symbols.
• Avoid common names, addresses, birthdays, pet names, and team names.
• Don’t reuse passwords from email, banking, shopping, or social media accounts.
• Store passwords in a reputable password manager if you have trouble remembering them.

Change the router's admin password even if your Wi-Fi password is strong. If an attacker gets access to the router settings, they may be able to change security options, redirect traffic, or lock you out of your own network.

Protecting your main network helps keep outsiders from accessing your Wi-Fi, but you also need to create a safer way for visitors and temporary devices to connect.

Set up a guest Wi-Fi option and rename your network

A properly configured guest network can give visitors internet access without allowing them access to your personal devices. That can help protect laptops, phones, smart speakers, cameras, and storage drives from devices you don't control.

Use your router app or admin panel to turn on guest Wi-Fi. Give it a separate name and a separate password. Keep your phones, computers, work devices, and smart home hubs on the main network. Put visitors' and temporary devices on the guest network.

You should also rename your Wi-Fi network, known as the SSID. Avoid names that reveal your router model, address, apartment number, or family name. Use a plain name, and avoid jokes or labels that draw attention.

Keep in mind that some routers allow devices on guest networks to access your default home network. When you enable a guest network, review the options carefully. Guest-network defaults vary. Some gateways allow internet-only access, while others may include an option that allows guest devices to access devices on your home network.

A guest network lowers risk, but it doesn't replace maintenance. Your router still needs routine updates and safer default settings.

Update and harden your router settings

Keep your router software current with updates. Firmware updates fix bugs and close security gaps. Many newer routers update automatically. If yours doesn't, check for updates in the admin panel or provider app.

Make these changes in the admin panel or your provider’s app:

• Turn on automatic updates if your router supports them.
• Enable the router firewall if it isn’t already on.
• Turn off Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) after setup unless you need it. WPS can make device setup easier, but it can also weaken security.
• Disable remote management unless you actively use it.
• Review connected devices and remove anything you don’t recognize.
• Restart the router after updates or major settings changes.

If your router no longer receives updates, consider replacing it. Old hardware can leave your network exposed even if your passwords are strong.

Securing your Wi-Fi network isn't a one-time task. When exploring how to secure your Wi-Fi network, start with a short checklist. Revisit it when you add devices, change providers, or replace equipment.

The best home Wi-Fi security plan is simple:

• Use WPA3, but if WPA3 isn’t available, use WPA2
• Create strong Wi-Fi and router admin passwords
• Separate guests on a different network
• Update your router
• Administra los dispositivos conectados

A secure Wi-Fi network also depends on a fast, reliable home internet connection. AT&T Fiber® delivers the speed and performance your connected home needs for browsing, streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices.

Check AT&T Fiber availability at your address, and find a home internet plan built for the way your household connects.

La conexión cambia todo y estamos aquí para ayudarte a mantenerte conectado.

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1. Jason Cohen, “Worried About Wi-Fi Security? Make Sure Your Router Supports This Standard,” PCMag, updated March 27, 2026, https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/worried-about-wifi-security-make-sure-your-router-supports-wpa3.
2. Ibid.
3. “How To Create Strong Passwords (And Remember Them!),” National Cybersecurity Alliance, February 25, 2026, https://www.staysafeonline.org/articles/passwords.