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Leslie MeredithThe living room is ready, the fridge is stocked, but have you thought about setting up Wi-Fi and devices for guest use? Inevitably, the second question from friends and family after "How are you?" is "What's your Wi-Fi password?" And if they're home guests, you can bet they'll want access to the Wi-Fi and maybe even your computer. This poses a risk to your safety, but you can take steps to avoid accidents.
This does not mean that your guest is a hacker. If so, your problem is beyond the scope of this column. When someone logs into your Wi-Fi, they have access to all the devices on the network: computers, phones, tablets, smart thermostats, smart devices, printers, security cameras, and doorbells. While it is unlikely that any of your guests will intentionally sabotage your network, it is possible that the devices they use to connect to your network are infected with some type of malware. If so, there is a chance that this malware will spread to other devices connected to your network.
To prevent this from happening, you need to create a guest network. Your router should include settings that create separate connections for visitors and settings that prevent access to your devices. If your router is old, you may not have this option and you should consider buying a new router to keep you safe.
Each router may have different instructions for creating a guest network, but the process will be initiated using the management interface depending on the brand and mode of your router. If you don't know how to do this, search for your router online and find the support section of the website for the necessary procedures. You must log in with your username and password. You will see it at the bottom of the device unless you change the password that came with the router.
For added security, use this feature and change the default password to a stronger one. Write down a new password for your router and don't use a password you've used elsewhere.
After gaining administrator access, proceed to create a guest network. You will create a new password for your guest. Choose one that contains more than 12 characters and is easy to remember. Hotels, restaurants and Airbnbs often use country names in their passwords. You can choose as Welcome to thesmithhouse2024.
Since the guest network does not allow access to your main network, this less strong password can be used. Of course, the guest password will be different from your main Wi-Fi password. You can change guests' passwords after the holiday season to provide an extra layer of security.
In the settings window, find the option to receive notifications when someone logs in or when there is new activity on your network. This will allow you to check if your guests are connected to your Wi-Fi network. If you notice suspicious activity, please change your password.
Similarly, you can create a guest profile for your computer if you have guests who want to use it. Your guests may have the best intentions to stay away from computers while on vacation and choose not to pack their laptops, but important emails may be too late. A guest profile is enough to protect your files and system.
You can provide guest profiles with limited features. They will be able to work on their stuff, but won't be able to make changes to your system or access your files.
Although Microsoft removed the guest account option starting with Windows 10, you can create a new local account that doesn't require a password or email. Go to Settings and tap Account. Click "Family & Other Users," then "Add Account" under "Other Users." Continue to create an account. For Mac users, open Settings and find Users & Groups. Here you will see "Invited User" which you can enable. Note that you have options to enable "restrict adult websites" and "allow guest users to connect to shared folders" which you can leave on.
Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for over a decade. As a mother of four, value, usability, and online safety come first. I have a question? Email Leslie at Asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.
