Your router supports cameras, doorbells, phones, and other connected devices. Treat it as part of the security system. Before adding more hardware, review the router’s software, administrator account, Wi-Fi settings, and connected-device list.
Start with the router
Use the router manufacturer’s current instructions to install supported updates and change default administrator credentials. The administrator password controls settings; the Wi-Fi password joins the network. They should not be the same password. Keep recovery details somewhere secure.
Use supported encryption
Choose WPA3 where all required devices support it, or a suitable WPA2 configuration where necessary. Avoid open networks and outdated encryption options. If a device only works with obsolete security settings, consider replacing it rather than weakening the whole network.
Check whether device isolation fits your setup
A guest or IoT network can separate devices from computers and personal files, but isolation may stop a phone or home controller from discovering a camera, speaker, or hub. Check your router’s design and the device requirements. Test local control, notifications, and updates after moving devices; do not assume a guest network supports every smart home feature.
Review remote access
Do not forward camera or recorder ports to the internet as a routine shortcut. Use the manufacturer’s supported secure access method and understand its account requirements. Turn off router features you do not need, such as remote administration, following the router’s own instructions.
Keep a useful device inventory
Label devices in the router where supported, record which household member manages each account, and remove hardware you no longer use. A monthly check makes an unfamiliar connection easier to investigate. Match unfamiliar names with your own devices before blocking them.
The FTC’s home Wi-Fi guidance covers foundational protections. For the accounts controlling your devices, use our account security checklist. For physical coverage, return to the DIY planning guide.
