When you get a new network, it’s tempting to just plug it in and get website as quickly as possible. However, it’s worthwhile to take a few more minutes to change some of the options first. In no time at all, here are some tips for setting up your new Wi-Fi modem to ensure safe surfing. I’m an Xfinity ( Comcast ) subscriber, but the tips here should translate no matter what internet provider you use.
Change the network name and password
To alter the username and password, you’ll need to log into your company’s website or mobile app. Look for a section for Network or W-Fi options when you log into your account. On Xfinity’s site, I clicked WiFi Information to change the name of my Wi-Fi system and set a new password. Choose a passcode– or better still, a passphrase– that you’ll remember but isn’t too easy to guess.
Choose a safety style
If you create a strong password for your modem, you’ve already taken the first step in protecting your network from outsiders. With a password set on a current network, you are most likely using WPA2 or WPA3 crypto.
WPA, or Wi-Fi Protected Access, is a 256-bit encryption method that is more stable than the older, weaker WEP conventional that uses 64- or 128-bit encryption. WPA2 improves upon WPA by using a stronger crypto algorithms. It uses TKIP ( Temporal Key Integrity Protocol ) and the Advanced Encryption Standard ( AES ) algorithm, which is safer than WPA. WPA3 stepped up the security measures even further, strengthening password protection, data encryption and intelligent home links.
Some devices offer a blended mode of WPA2 and WPA3 so that older devices that pre-date WPA3 you link to your system. WPA2 has been around for more than 10 times so it’s unlikely that your modem is still using WPA encryption. If you have an outdated system that won’t connect to your WPA2-protected system, I would suggest choosing WPA3 as your router’s security mode.
Test community setting and rings
If you’re using a newer Wi-Fi 7 network, it broadcasts in three harmonics: 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz. Your wireless networking uses these frequencies to transmit data through radio waves. All three frequency bands if be turned on by default, but examine the advanced settings on your provider’s website or app to examine whether either is effective or not.
Because of the speed that so many common gadgets in your home use, including corded phones and baby monitors, garage door openers and radiation, the 2.4GHz band is more packed. Even with 2.4GHz, you may experience community interference, but it makes it possible for older devices to connect to your system. The 5GHz channel has a shorter range than the 2GHz band, which is faster and less crowded. Although the 6GHz group is considerably faster than the other two, it works best when your devic is 15 feet or closer to your network.
Your network will choose the best method for each of your network devices when all three modes are active.
Help parental controls
To set some limits on the products you have for your children, look for a portion titled” Parental Controls or Access Restrictions.” With Xfinity, click the People button to set up information for your children. To give them a break from Instagram, Snapchat, chatting, and everything else on the Internet, you can assign products to each page and then hit Wait for any or all of them.
You can turn on parental controls for a profile to “allocate the risk of accessing unpleasant websites and apps and turn on defensive search settings for Google, Bing, and YouTube” You’ll also be able to set effective time for your children’s devices. Verizon calls it Sleep method, which lets you set the hrs the computer is and isn’t accessible. For weekends and nights, there are several alternatives.
Set up visitor community
You avoid having to disclose your difficult or uncomfortable Wi-Fi password when setting up a guest Wi-Fi network, as well as the risk of granting access to other people’s computers and files on your network. In your profile options, look for Guest Network or Home Hotspot.
With Xfinity, I couldn’t get this building with the other Wi-Fi options but instead had to walk a degree up to my public account settings. From the main consideration section, it was listed under Options. With it enabled, Xfinity started broadcasting a separate system called” xfinitywifi” that customers can use without needing to track me down for a password.