The use of the internet has become one of the most essential needs for humans. Similarly, internet network security has become one of the most critical requirements for all internet users, regardless of the purpose of their internet use. Changing the router password is one of the basic security needs when you suspect your home or work internet network has been hacked. In this article, we will provide you with instructions on how to change your router password and how to protect your internet network from hacking.
Why Might You Need to Know How to Change Your Router Password?
All internet users need to change their router password for several reasons. You may need to change your router password if your internet network has been hacked, whether at home or work. Additionally, all internet users should change their router password regularly to protect the network from those who might steal it for various purposes or to spy on network users.
How to Change Your Router Password
To change your router password, you can easily follow these steps:
- Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
- Open your web browser and type the following address in the address bar: 192.168.1.1.
- Select "Change Wireless Password" from the menu on the right. Or choose "Wireless Settings," "Setup," or "Wireless," depending on the router type.
- Enter the default router settings username and password, which you can find written on the back or bottom of your router. You can also recall your settings if you changed them when you bought the device and didn't stick to the default settings.
- Click on "WiFi Configuration."
- The Wi-Fi settings page will appear, and you can change your Wi-Fi password from there.
You can use this method to change your router password using a mobile phone or a computer. If your router has a different IP address from the one mentioned above, you can find the IP address of your router by following these steps:
- Open the Run dialog by pressing the Start button + R.
- Type "CMD" and click OK.
How to Detect If Your Internet Network Has Been Hacked
There are many ways to find out if your internet network has been hacked. Here are some examples of methods you can use to check:
- Check the router lights: If you can account for all the devices using your Wi-Fi network and ensure they are all turned off, then check the router lights again. If all connected devices are off, one of the router lights should turn off, indicating no device is connected to the router.
- Use mobile applications that show the devices connected to your Wi-Fi network, such as the Wifi Guard app, which can be downloaded on Android and iOS devices.
- Measure your internet speed at different times using speed measurement apps or specialized websites. If you notice a significant drop in network speed without many devices connected, you should look for possible Wi-Fi theft.
- Log in to your router's admin panel by entering the IP address of your router as mentioned earlier, then look for the network map, user log, or client list to see the current network users.
How to Protect Your Internet Network
To conclude, changing your router password is crucial for protecting your network from those who exploit it for their own benefit or steal your data. You can protect your internet network by blocking unwanted devices via the "Block" or "Ban" button from the router's admin panel, as previously described. Additionally, you can change your router password using the method mentioned earlier. Lastly, consider upgrading your network security system to a more secure one.