Engadget
Sometimes all it takes is to tweak some default settings.
You might not have thought much about configuring your router beyond the initial setup, as long as your Wi-Fi isn't too slow and works properly.
To begin, while using a computer connected to your home network, type your router's IP address into your browser's address bar; this is often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 but can differ.
The credentials to log into the admin panel are not the same as what you use to connect devices to Wi-Fi. Every router is different, so the exact menu places and names of these options may differ for you. The examples below are for an ASUS router.
Many routers use the model name as their SSID, which gives potential attackers more information to find possible weaknesses in your unit.
On an ASUS router, the admin login settings are located at Administration > System, under the Router Account box.
While you're here, make sure your network security is set to the strongest standard available, which is now WPA3-Personal. Some devices won't work with WPA-3; the most secure option is keeping WPA-3 enabled and avoiding those devices.
Most routers have the option to create a second network for guests, which is a great security tool.
ASUS routers even support creating multiple guest networks, so you could have one for friends, a second for kids, and a third for smart devices.
WPS is intended as a convenience feature to connect devices to Wi-Fi without the password, but it makes your router much less secure.