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Hot take: I used to think my home network was fine with the default router password for years.
About six months ago, I saw a weird device pop up on my network list that I didn't own. I finally changed the admin password from the factory default to something strong. In the last three months, those random devices stopped showing up completely. It made me realize how many bots just scan for routers with easy passwords. That one change basically locked the front door. What other simple router settings do most people forget to check?
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harris.rowan2mo ago
Seriously, good on you for making that change. Next, check if remote management is turned on. That setting lets someone mess with your router from the internet. It's usually off by default, but not always. Go into the admin panel and make sure it's disabled. You only need to access it from inside your own house.
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fiona9852mo ago
Honestly, changing the default password is the biggest one, but turning off WPS is a close second. That push-button feature is so easy for you to use, but it's also really easy for someone else to break into. I just went into the wireless settings and disabled it. Also, check if your router's firmware updates itself. If it doesn't, you have to manually check every few months for patches. An old router is a weak router.
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dianahayes2mo ago
Fiona's point about WPS... I used to think it was handy but now I see it's just a security hole.
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