I was cooking dinner in the oven and looking for extra glasses when my cousin’s kid screamed (again). “What is my Wi-Fi password?” You’re juggling hundreds of things at once, and the last thing you want is to type your password correctly.
I have good news. You can print it out, stick it on the fridge, and anyone can scan it with their phone and connect. Before that, let’s see how to create another network. That way, you won’t have to worry about little Billy getting into your personal information on your device or computer.
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please be my guest
When guests connect to your main Wi-Fi, they may be able to access devices such as smart TVs, printers, and even laptops and phones if file sharing is enabled. Even worse, if a device is compromised, your entire network could be at risk. Guest Network keeps everyone happy while keeping your personal life private.
Most modern routers allow you to set up a guest network without being a technical expert. Warning: This will take a few minutes, but is completely doable.
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Step 1: Log in to your router’s management console. You will need an IP address. This is usually located on a sticker on the bottom or side of the router. It’s common to see 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
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If you don’t see yours…
For Windows: Open the (Start) menu, search for “Command Prompt,” and with the Command Prompt open, type “ipconfig” and press Enter. Look for the line that says “Default Gateway.” This is the router’s IP address. On Mac: Go to (System Settings) > (Network). Select Wi-Fi network > Details. The router’s IP address is located under “Router”.
Step 2: Open your browser and type http:// and paste the IP address. Press Enter to open the login page. For credentials, try the word “admin” as the username and “password” as the password. If the default is different, it may be output to your router. You can also check this site which lists the default passwords for almost every router in use.
Step 3: Look for the setting called (Guest Network) or (Guest Wi-Fi). Give it a different name (aka SSID) than your main network and a strong, unique password.
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If you have a voyeur in your family… You can block family and friends from accessing files and devices on your primary network when they connect to your Wi-Fi guest network. Turn off local access settings.
Sorry, but avid snoops don’t just stay behind one closed door. This is a sign that someone is peeking.
Also a simple security check
Before you’re done, take these additional steps to lock things down.
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Change the administrator password. If your router is still using the default login, update it. Also update the firmware. Check for software updates to protect your router from vulnerabilities.
Your network is a bigger target than you think.
Now comes the fun part
Create a QR code that automatically connects guests to your new guest network. It doesn’t take much time or effort. The free site QIFI.org only requires three pieces of information:
SSID: This is your Wi-Fi network name. Find it on the back of your modem, in your admin console, or in your network app. Encryption type: Select WPA/WPA2/WPA3. You can find this in your phone’s Wi-Fi section under network details. Key: This is the router password. If you have never modified your router, it is located on the back of your router. (Tell me I changed it!)
Click “Generate” and your QR code is ready. Print a copy and display it all over your home, or do what I did and order this custom sign that looks classy. Now, when someone asks for your Wi-Fi password, all you have to do is point.
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