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A typical home network now carries phones, laptops, TVs, doorbells, baby monitors, speakers and cameras. Each device is a possible door into the network, and a camera is one of the most sensitive, since it can show the inside of your home. The good news is that a handful of settings do most of the work. This checklist follows the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidance on securing home Wi-Fi networks and home security cameras . For router basics, also see our guides on securing your home Wi-Fi router and changing your router's default password . Menus differ by brand, so use your manufacturer's instructions for exact steps. Why Cameras Need Special Care The FTC notes that cameras that stream live video, including doorbell cameras, baby monitors and security cameras, can be hacked. They are typically controlled through an app, so the security of the camera depends on several links: the camera, the app account, the router and your Wi-Fi. A weakness in any one can expose the...

Last updated: October 13, 2026 Your router is the front door to your home network. Every phone, laptop, smart TV and camera in your home passes through it. Yet many people have never logged in to it, which means it may still use the settings the manufacturer or internet provider set at the factory. Default network names and logins are often printed on a label on the device, and for older models the default admin logins are widely published online. This guide shows you how to reach your router's settings, change the two passwords that matter, and adjust the options that make the biggest difference. It also covers two things most guides skip: how to tell whether your router is too old to secure, and what to do if your internet provider controls the device. It follows advice from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the FBI . Two Passwords, Two Different Jobs The FTC points out that your router has two passwords you need to reset: The Wi-Fi network password. This is what y...

Last updated: October 8, 2026 Free Wi-Fi at a cafe, hotel or airport is handy, and it comes with a long list of scary warnings. The truth sits in the middle. Public Wi-Fi is not as dangerous as it was a decade ago, because most websites and apps now encrypt their traffic. It is also not risk-free, and a few specific habits make the difference between a harmless coffee-shop session and a bad day. This guide explains the real risks, what is generally fine to do, what to avoid, and how to set up your phone and laptop for safer connections, using guidance from the FTC, the FCC and CISA. What Are the Real Risks? Eavesdropping on unprotected traffic On an open network without a password, other people connected to the same Wi-Fi may be able to capture your traffic. If a website uses HTTPS, the content of what you send and receive is encrypted, so an eavesdropper sees little beyond which sites you contact. Traffic that does not use HTTPS, or apps with poor encryption, is more exposed. C...

Last updated: October 8, 2026 Your router is the front door to your home network. Every phone, laptop, smart TV and camera passes through it. Yet many people never change a single setting after the internet provider installs it, leaving default passwords and outdated software in place. The steps below take about half an hour and need no special skills. Router menus differ widely between brands and internet providers, so this guide describes settings by name and purpose rather than exact button positions. If you cannot find an option, search your router's model number plus "manual", or check your provider's support pages. The guidance here follows the FTC, the FCC, CISA and a 2025 FBI warning about old routers. Before You Start: Reach Your Router's Settings Most routers are managed through a web page. Connect to your home network, then open a browser and enter the router's address. Common ones are printed on a sticker on the router, alongside the default ...