6 easy improvements you can make

>> CHANGE YOUR WI–FI PASSWORD

If you’ve never changed your wi–Fi password, now is the time to do so. make sure it’s based on wPA2 encryption, and choose a lengthy password that can’t be guessed — maybe use your password manager to generate one randomly. note it down, you’ll need it to reconnect your wireless devices to the network.

>> SHARE PASSWORDS SECURELY

If you don’t want to share your guest network’s password by email in case it falls into the wrong hands, you could type it on your guest’s device on their behalf. Alternatively, use AirDrop’s direct, encrypted connection between Apple devices. Sharing passwords is even easier with ioS 11 or later — see the next tip!

>> DISABLE WPS

WPS is a feature designed to make it easy to connect new devices (including wi–Fi extenders) to your network. But it can be exploited by hackers. Log into your router’s configuration utility, and find the setting to disable WPS. only switch it on temporarily when you want to use it to connect a new device.

>> ENABLE THE GUEST NETWORK

Don’t share your main wi—Fi network with visitors. Switch on your router’s guest network, with wPA2 encryption and a password that’s different to your regular network’s, so that guests can’t access shared storage and your other networked devices. you may also want to set bandwidth limits.

>> SHARE WI–FI PASSWORD

Both ioS devices need to be running ioS 11 or later, have wi–Fi and Bluetooth on, and the guest needs your Apple ID in their Contacts app. Go to Settings > wi–Fi on the device wanting to connect, tap your guest network, and bring the ioS device that knows the password near. tap Share Password when prompted.

>> SCHEDULE REGULAR SCANS

use your router’s configuration tool to periodically scan your network for connected devices — look for a Security > Access Control (or similar) section where you can review wired and wireless devices. If you don’t recognize a device, block it — this blacklists its hardware MAC address and prevents it connecting.