Without a password, anyone will be able to access your home Wi-Fi network. A strong password will prevent other people connecting to your network. For recommendations on setting a strong password, see this article.

Router interfaces differ depending on the vendor, specific model and firmware version. For help navigating your router’s settings, see the user guide for your model. It is usually attached to the router, but otherwise you can download it from the vendor’s website.

As an example, we will show the settings from a TP-Link TL-WR841N router. To set a password:

1. Enter the router’s IP address in your browser’s address bar. You will be taken to the authorization page for the router’s settings. The IP address of the router is specified on the device and in the user guide.
2. On the authorization page, enter your login and password. If you haven’t changed them, you will be able to find them on the underside of your router.
3. On the router’s settings page, select Wireless → Wireless Security.
4. Select WPA/WPA2 - Personal.
5. In the Wireless Password field, enter a new password for your Wi-Fi network.
6. Click Save.

A password will be set for the Wi-Fi network.

Often, rainbow tables are used for hacking passwords. Millions of possible passwords are stored in rainbow tables for popular Wi-Fi network names (Service Set Identifier, or SSID). If your SSID and your password are in a rainbow table, then a criminal can immediately get access to your network using special applications.

To increase your home wireless network’s security, give your network a unique SSID.

Router interfaces differ depending on the vendor, specific model and firmware version. For help navigating your router’s settings, see the user guide for your model. It is usually attached to the router, but otherwise you can download it from the vendor’s website.

As an example, we will show the settings from a TP-Link TL-WR841N router. To change the Wi-Fi network name:

1. Enter the router’s IP address in your browser’s address bar. You will be taken to the authorization page for the router’s settings. The IP address of the router is specified on the device and in the user guide.
2. On the authorization page, enter your login and password. If you haven’t changed them, you will be able to find them on the underside of your router.
3. On the router settings page, go to Wireless → Basic Settings.
4. In the Wireless Network Name field, enter a new name for your wireless network.
5. Click Save.

The Wi-Fi network name will be changed.

When working in a weakly encrypted network, your data can be easily intercepted by criminals. If you are connecting to your home network and you receive a message that it is weakly encrypted, change to a more secure encryption type. The most common types of wireless network encryption are WEP, TKIP, WPA, WPA2 (AES/CCMP).

The protocols differ in their levels of security. We recommend WPA2, as it is the most reliable.

Router interfaces differ depending on the vendor, specific model and firmware version. For help navigating your router’s settings, see the user guide for your model. It is usually attached to the router, but otherwise you can download it from the vendor’s website.

As an example, we will show the settings from a TP-Link TL-WR841N router. To change your wireless network’s encryption type:

1. Enter the router’s IP address in your browser’s address bar. You will be taken to the authorization page for the router’s settings. The IP address of the router is specified on the device and in the user guide.
2. On the authorization page, enter your login and password. If you haven’t changed them, you will be able to find them on the underside of your router.
3. On the router’s settings page, select Wireless → Wireless Security.
4. Select WPA/WPA2 - Personal.
5. Select WPA2-PSK from the Authentication Type drop-down menu.
6. Select AES from the Encryption drop-down menu.
7. Click Save.

Encryption will be enabled for the Wi-Fi network.

WPS technology was developed to make it easier for devices to connect to Wi-Fi networks. Using WPS, you can connect to a router without a password. We recommend that you disable WPS in your router’s settings.

Router interfaces differ depending on the vendor, specific model and firmware version. For help navigating your router’s settings, see the user guide for your model. It is usually attached to the router, but otherwise you can download it from the vendor’s website.

As an example, we will show the settings from a TP-Link TL-WR841N router. To disable WPS:

1. Enter the router’s IP address in your browser’s address bar. You will be taken to the authorization page for the router’s settings. The IP address of the router is specified on the device and in the user guide.
2. On the authorization page, enter your login and password. If you haven’t changed them, you will be able to find them on the underside of your router.
3. On the router settings page, go to Wireless → WPS.
4. Click Disable.

WPS technology will be disabled.

When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network (for example, in a cafe), your data is transferred unencrypted. This means that your logins, passwords, messages, and other sensitive information can be accessed by criminals. Your email addresses may be used for sending spam and the contents of your social network page may be changed.

When connecting to a Wi-Fi network, you should always follow these recommendations:

• Make sure that you have installed and enabled Firewall. This protection component scans network traffic and protects the computer against network attacks.
  Firewall is included in the following Kaspersky Lab applications: Kaspersky Internet Security, Kaspersky Anti‑Virus, Kaspersky Total Security, Kaspersky Security Cloud and Kaspersky Small Office Security.
• Use a secure HTTPS connection. Check that a green or gray padlock icon is displayed in your browser’s address bar. For more information, see this post on the Kaspersky Lab blog.
• Secure your connection by using a VPN, which adds another level of encryption. To do so, install Kaspersky Secure Connection on your device and enable a secure connection each time you connect to the Internet.
• If you are using a Windows operating system, disable file and printer sharing for all public networks you connect to. See the Microsoft support website for instructions.
• Don’t make online purchases or payments when connected to a public Wi-Fi network. Use mobile Internet for online payments.
• Use mobile Internet instead of public Wi-Fi networks when possible.