Tech Matters: How To Protect Your Internet And Devices With Guests In The House
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Leslie MeredithThe living room is ready, the fridge is stocked, but have you thought about setting up the Wi-Fi network and the devices available to your guests? Inevitably, the second question asked by friends and family is "How are you?" » “What is your Wi-Fi password?” » If they are house guests, you can be sure that they will want to access your Wi-Fi and possibly your computer. This poses a risk to your safety, but there are some measures you can take to avoid accidents.
This doesn't mean your visitor is a hacker. If so, your problem doesn't fit into this column. When someone accesses Wi-Fi, they can access any device on the network: computers, phones, tablets, smart thermostats, smart appliances, printers, security cameras, and doorbells. While it's unlikely that one of your guests will intentionally sabotage your network, it's possible that the device they use to connect to your network could be infected with some form of malware. If so, this malware is likely to spread to other devices connected to your network.
To prevent this from happening, you may want to set up a guest network. Your router should include an option that creates a separate connection for your visitors and does not allow access to your devices. If your router is older, you may not have this option and should consider purchasing a new router that will keep you secure.
Each router may have different instructions for setting up a guest network, but the process will begin by accessing the management interface depending on the brand and mode of the router. If you're not sure how to do this, find your router online and search the help section on the website to find the necessary instructions. You must log in with your username and password. If you haven't changed the password that came with your router, you should see it at the bottom of the device.
For added security, take this opportunity to change the default password to a more secure password. Write down your new router password and don't use a password you've used elsewhere.
Once you have administrator access, go to guest network setup. You will create a new password for your guests. Choose one that is longer than 12 characters and is easy to remember. Hotels, restaurants, and Airbnb often use place names in their passwords. You can choose something like Welcome Home of the Blacksmith 2024.
Since the guest network does not allow access to the main network, it is better to use this less strict password. Of course, the guest password will be different from the main Wi-Fi password. You may want to change your guest password after the holiday season to provide an additional layer of security.
In the settings window, look for options to receive alerts when someone logs in or there is new activity on your network. This will allow you to confirm that they are your guests on your Wi-Fi. If you notice any suspicious activity, change your password.
Likewise, if you have a guest who wants to use it, you can create a guest profile for your computer. Your guests may want to get away from their computers while on vacation and may decide not to bring their own laptop, but an urgent email may require its use. A guest profile will do the trick to protect your files and system.
You can submit a guest profile with limited functionality. They will be able to perform assigned tasks, but they will not be able to make changes to your system or access your files.
Although Microsoft has removed the guest account option from Windows 10, you can still create a new local account that requires no password or email address. Go to "Settings" and click "Account". Click "Add account" under "Family and other users," then "Other users." Continue to create an account. For Mac users, go to Settings and find Users & Groups. Here you will see "Guest Users" which you can enable. Note that you can enable the "Restrict adult websites" and "Allow guest users to connect to shared folders" options, which you'll probably want to leave alone.
Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for ten years. As a mother of four, quality, ease of use and online safety are our priorities. Do you have a question? Email Leslie at Asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.
