When your Internet service provider brings your modem to your home for the first time, you’re ecstatic. In fact, you get instant Internet access because most modems have their username and password printed on the device’s back.
Unfortunately, some clever hackers can “sniff” out your Wi-Fi password through some unscrupulous means. Once they have your password, hackers may start stealing files from all the computers in your network and effectively degrade the quality of your Internet access.
You’ll need to change your password, and you’ll need to do so every once in a while. Good network security practice involves regular password changes every two weeks.
Let’s begin!
Connect to Your Modem
Your modem is the main source of your Internet connections at home. Your modern modem has Wi-Fi transmission and local area network (LAN) slots.
To connect to your modem through Wi-Fi, you’ll need to use its default login credentials printed at the back of the device, on the box, or in the manual. If you forgot your password, you can use an RJ45 LAN cable to access your modem.
The LAN cable needs to be plugged into any of the modem’s ports. Then, connect the other end to your computer’s LAN port. This allows your computer’s Ethernet port direct access without any passwords.
However, some modem brands still require a LAN connection password. Therefore, refer to your modem’s manual to find the “reset” button. This will set all usernames and passwords to their default values and give you full access to your modem.
Changing Your Password
Once you have Internet connection, follow the list of instructions below:
- Type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. This is your Wi-Fi’s default network address
- Refer to your manual for the default router login credentials
- Once you have logged in, you’ll see the default modem status page
- Locate the menu item called “WLAN,” “Security” or any other option that contains these words.
At this point, the jargon might look confusing. However, you just have to look for a menu item with the words “Pre-Shared Key.”
In most modems, the pre-shared key has multiple formats. Choose “passphrase” or “password.”
You’ll see a familiar password dialog box. Next, you type in your new password. Then, keep a physical note of it.
Make sure to observe the best practices for making passwords to secure against hackers obtaining Wi-Fi access.
Then, click “OK” or “Apply/Save Changes” to apply your new password. Your Wi-Fi Router will restart.
Now, anyone with your appointed password will have access to your network.
Added Security Measures
Despite password rotations, hackers may still sniff out your passwords and use them to their advantage. Registering device MAC addresses are an excellent deterrent against any foreign connections.
In addition, consider hiding your Wi-Fi’s transmission unless users type its SSID name (the network’s name that your laptop or mobile device detects) manually in their devices.
Conclusion
This guide only tackles the general process of changing Wi-Fi passwords on most modems. To know the actual process of changing your Wi-Fi password, consult your modem’s instruction manual online for better results.
