The biggest Wi-Fi mistake you didn’t know you were making
2025-01-01
Category: technologgy

You’ve got dinner in the oven, you’re looking for extra glasses, and your cousin’s kid screams (again), "What’s the Wi-Fi password?" You’re juggling a hundred things at once, and the last thing you want to do is to spell out your password. Here’s the good news: You can slap a printout on the fridge, and everyone can scan it with their phones to connect. But first, I’ll show you how to create a separate network so you don’t need to worry about little Billy getting into your personal stuff on your devices and computers. SCAMMERS ARE TARGETING TEENS WITH THESE NASTY TRICKS I share smart tech news and tips you can use every single day.&nbsp;Join 600K readers who get The Current. Be my guest When guests connect to your main Wi-Fi, they can potentially access devices like smart TVs, printers, and even your laptop or phone if file sharing is enabled. Worse, if their device is compromised, your whole network could be at risk. A guest network keeps everyone happy while keeping your private life private. Most modern routers let you set up a guest network without having to be a tech guru. Warning: This will take you a few minutes, but it’s totally doable. RELATED: Is your internet slo-o-o-w?&nbsp;Let’s fix that. Step 1:&nbsp;Log into your router’s admin console. You’ll need your IP address. You can usually find this on a sticker on the bottom or side of your router. Seeing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 is common.  If you don’t see yours …  Step 2:&nbsp;Open your browser, type http:// and paste in your IP address. Hit Enter to open a login page. For the credentials, try the username admin&nbsp;and the word password&nbsp;for the password. If the defaults are different, they’re likely printed on your router. You can also check&nbsp;this site that lists default passwords for almost every router in use. Step 3:&nbsp;Look for a setting called Guest Network or Guest Wi-Fi. Give it a different name (aka SSID) than your main network, along with a strong, unique password. TECH TIP: SAVE YOUR MEMORIES BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE If you have snoops in the family …&nbsp;When family and friends connect to your Wi-Fi guest network, you can block them from accessing your files or devices on your primary network. Turn off the local access setting. Sorry, but dedicated snoops won’t stop at one closed door.&nbsp;Here’s a sign someone is poking around. While you’re at it, a quick security check  Before you finish, take these extra steps to lock things down: BIOMETRIC DATA: IS IT SAFE TO HAND IT OVER TO ANY COMPANY THAT ASKS?  Your network is a bigger target than you realize. Now for the fun part  Create a QR code that automatically connects guests to your new guest network — no hassle, no drama. With the free site&nbsp;QIFI.org, all you need is three pieces of info:  Hit Generate and your QR code is ready. Print some copies of it to hang around the house, or do what I did:&nbsp;Order this custom sign that looks classy. Now, when someone asks for the Wi-Fi password, you can just point. &nbsp;CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Get tech-smarter on your schedule Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.  Copyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.