HOW TO Beef up your network security

1

UNWELCOME GUESTS Your router’s app will show you a list of all devices that are connected to your network. It will also allow you to block any devices you don’t recognise, although you should follow our next few steps to stop it happening again.

2

PASSWORD PROTECTION While you’re at it, you should also consider changing your Wi-Fi password every now and then. You can do this in your app, and the app will also provide a secure option for sharing the new password with family and friends.

3

CHECK YOUR SECURITY Your iPhone or iPad will actually tell you if your network is secure or not. Take a look at Settings > Wi-Fi, and you’ll see this warning if your security settings aren’t up to scratch. Oddly, though, this feature isn’t available on Macs.

4

PROTECTED ACCESS Apple advises everyone to use WPA2 or WPA3, which are the most recent forms of Wi-Fi Protected Access. Your router’s app should let you change WPA settings, although you might need to use a web browser interface for some.

5

REMOTE MANAGEMENT Lots of routers have a remote-management feature – the router here calls it “Anywhere Access.” This allows you to control the router when you’re away from home, but it’s a potential security risk so you should disable it.

6

WELCOME GUESTS A guest network allows you to give limited, secure access to your Wi-Fi. You can give the guest network its own password, and some routers will even allow you to create a schedule that limits guest access to a specific time of day.