Guest Star: 5 Reasons to Split Your Home Network

Creating a guest network on your home Wi-Fi is a simple but effective way to improve your digital security. By separating devices and users, you reduce the risk of unauthorized access and limit the impact of potential vulnerabilities. Here are five practical reasons to set one up.

1. Protect your primary devices. Smart home gadgets (cameras, thermostats, speakers, and more) can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. Isolating them on a guest network helps protect your computers, phones, and other devices that hold the most sensitive info.
2. Limit access for visitors. This is perhaps the most obvious reason. When guests ask for your Wi-Fi password, giving them access to a separate network ensures they can connect without accessing shared folders, printers, or other personal resources.
3. Reduce risks caused by older devices. Outdated or rarely used devices may lack current security updates. Placing them on a guest network minimizes the chance they’ll be used as entry points for attacks.
4. You can apply custom controls. We’re getting a bit techie now. Many routers allow you to set bandwidth limits or content restrictions on guest networks. This can help manage traffic and prevent misuse without affecting your main network.
5. It’s easy! Most modern routers support guest networks, and setup usually takes just a few minutes. You’ll want to read the instructions for your device, but here’s the general procedure:

• • Log into your router’s admin page.
  • Locate the “Guest Network” section in the settings.
  • Enable the guest network and assign a unique name and password.
  • Activate network isolation to keep it separate from your main devices.

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