Published May 24, 2026 · Updated October 14, 2026 · By Stephane, owner and CompTIA A+ certified technician
Most people set up their home Wi-Fi once - when the Bell or Rogers technician came by - and haven't touched it since. That was probably fine a few years ago when the router connected your laptop and your phone. Now it connects your laptop, three phones, a smart TV, a thermostat, a doorbell camera, a couple of smart plugs, and maybe a baby monitor. Each of those devices is a potential entry point, and the router sitting in the corner is the only thing standing between all of them and the internet at large.
The good news: most Wi-Fi security issues are straightforward to fix. Here are the five most important things to check, in plain language, with no networking degree required.
Every router ships with a default admin username and password - on older routers usually something like "admin / admin" or "admin / password." Those defaults are published online for every model, so anyone can look them up. Newer Bell and Rogers modems print a unique admin password on a label, which is safer, but anyone who has seen the label knows it.
How to check it: Open a browser on a device connected to your Wi-Fi and type your router's IP address into the address bar - on Bell modems usually 192.168.2.1, on Rogers 10.0.0.1, and on most other routers 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Many ISP modems can also be managed in the provider's app. A login page should appear. If you can log in with "admin" and "password" (or leave the password blank), the default hasn't been changed.
How to fix it: Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Administration," "System," or "Router Settings" and change the admin password to something unique - at least 12 characters, not your address or birthday. Write it on a sticky note and put it on the bottom of the router. That's fine. The threat is remote, not physical.
Call a technician if: you can't find the login page, the default credentials don't work and you don't know what was set, or you're locked out of your router entirely.
Encryption is what scrambles your Wi-Fi traffic so that anyone who intercepts it can't read it. The current standard is WPA3. WPA2 is still acceptable but is older. If your network is using WEP or WPA (without the 2 or 3), it's genuinely insecure and should be changed today.
How to check it: In your router's admin panel, look under "Wireless Settings" or "Wi-Fi Security." The security mode will show WEP, WPA, WPA2, or WPA3. On a Windows laptop, you can also click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar, click the network name, and look at the security type in the properties panel.
How to fix it: In the wireless settings, choose WPA2/WPA3 (mixed or "transition") mode if your router offers it, or WPA2-AES if it doesn't. WPA3-only can lock out older devices like printers and smart plugs. Save and apply - you'll need to reconnect your devices with the same password.
Call a technician if: your router only supports WEP or original WPA - it's old enough that it should probably be replaced, and a technician can recommend a suitable replacement and set it up properly.
This one surprises people. Your smart TV, robot vacuum, smart thermostat, and doorbell camera don't need to be on the same network as your banking laptop and work computer. In fact, it's better if they're not. These devices often have weaker security and receive software updates less reliably - if one gets compromised, a guest network limits what else on your network can be reached from it.
How to set it up: Most modern routers have a guest network option in the admin panel - look under "Guest Network" or "Guest Wi-Fi." Enable it, give it a different name from your main network, set a separate password, and move your smart home devices over to it. Your phones, computers, and tablets stay on the main network.
Why it matters: A guest network is isolated - devices on it can reach the internet but typically can't communicate with devices on your main network. It's a simple architectural change that meaningfully reduces your exposure.
Call a technician if: you have a lot of smart home devices and want them organised properly, or if your router doesn't support guest networks and you want to know what to upgrade to.
Your router runs software, and that software has bugs - some of which are security vulnerabilities. Router manufacturers release firmware updates to patch them. Most people never install these updates because routers don't remind you the way a phone does. A router running firmware from 2019 may have known, documented vulnerabilities that are trivial to exploit.
How to check it: Log into your router's admin panel and look for "Firmware Update," "Software Update," or "Router Update" - usually under an "Advanced" or "Administration" section. It will show the current version and may offer to check for updates automatically.
How to fix it: If an update is available, install it. The router will reboot - your internet will be down for a couple of minutes. Some routers support automatic updates; enable that if it's an option.
Call a technician if: the router's firmware hasn't been updated in years and the manufacturer no longer releases updates for that model - it's end-of-life and should be replaced.
Do you actually know everything that's on your Wi-Fi right now? Most people don't. Your router keeps a list of every connected device - and occasionally that list includes things that shouldn't be there: a neighbour who figured out your password, an old device you forgot about, or in rare cases something more concerning.
How to check it: In your router's admin panel, look for "Connected Devices," "Device List," or "DHCP Clients." You'll see a list of device names and MAC addresses. Most devices identify themselves with a recognizable name - "John's iPhone," "DESKTOP-XYZ," "Amazon Echo." Anything you don't recognize is worth investigating.
How to fix it: If something unknown shows up, change your Wi-Fi password. All devices will be disconnected and will need to reconnect with the new password - that includes your unknown visitor. If you change the password and the device reappears, there's a deeper issue that needs attention.
Call a technician if: you find devices you can't identify, or you change the password and something keeps reconnecting - that warrants a proper investigation.
If you've read this far and realized your network has more than one of these issues, here's the order to tackle them. First, change the default router admin password - it takes two minutes and closes a door that should never have been open. Second, check and fix your encryption - WEP or plain WPA needs to change today. Third, audit your connected devices and change your Wi-Fi password if anything looks off. Fourth, install any available firmware updates. Fifth, set up a guest network for your smart home devices - it's the most involved step but worth doing properly.
Most Ottawa homeowners who go through this list find at least one thing that needs fixing. That's normal - these settings don't configure themselves, and nobody tells you to go back and check them. Now you know to.
If you'd rather have someone walk through it with you - or if anything on this list reveals a problem you're not sure how to handle - Hardwired IT offers on-site Wi-Fi and network security setup for Ottawa homeowners and small businesses, so you can be sure everything is configured correctly.
We configure routers, set up guest networks, update firmware, and check your connected devices on-site across Ottawa. Free estimate. Usually same-day.
Or call (613) 416-9482
There's no need to change a strong password on a schedule. Change it when you see an unknown device connected, after guests or contractors have had access, or if you suspect it's been shared. A long, unique password matters more than changing it often.
WPA2 (with AES) is still acceptable for most homes. WPA3 is better and worth using if your router and devices support it. What genuinely needs changing today is WEP or plain WPA - those are insecure.
It's strongly recommended. Smart TVs, cameras, plugs, and thermostats often have weaker security and update less reliably. Putting them on an isolated guest network means a compromised gadget can't reach your computers and phones.
Log into your router admin page and check the connected devices list. Any device you don't recognize may be an intruder. You can also use a free app like Fing on your phone to scan your network.
Yes, if your network is poorly secured - default passwords, outdated firmware, and WEP encryption are common vulnerabilities. A properly secured network with WPA3, a strong password, and current firmware is extremely difficult to compromise.
If a computer on your network is acting up, see computer repair in Ottawa.