Alexandra Ramirez
6 Tips For Wireless Home Network Setup
Taking the time to configure a router or other network device may not be your thing, but luckily, wireless networks are not too difficult to set up. Each system comes with its set of problems, but with the right guide, you can put it together in no time at all.
These tips will help you set your home network easily
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Find a good spot to place your router
If you set up your wireless network in the corner of the house, you may not get the desired effect especially when you share the router with other people in the room. Setting up the router in a corner might reduce the range and obstruct the signal if you want good coverage you should place it somewhere central. It is also advisable to keep your router far away from electronic appliances that share the same frequency band with the router. This might be the case if your router operates on a 2.4GHz frequency band and appliances like microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones will interrupt your signal and make your network slow.
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Tighten your security
Securing your network is crucial if you do not intend to share it with everyone and expose it to hackers. Depending on the type of network device you have, there are several ways to ensure your wireless network is secure. The most fundamental step is ensuring your router is passworded, you can also enable WPA2 on your device (if the option is available). Another option available is to configure your encryption and enable firewall for double protection. With all of this, it will be near impossible to steal your wifi
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Change the SSID
Changing your SSID from the default one on your router is another way to secure your wireless network. If you leave the default SSID, hackers may view your network as vulnerable and attempt to steal your wifi. You can either change the SSID or decide to hide it so that it won’t come up when people scan for nearby networks.
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Update the firmware
Manufacturers occasionally update a device’s software for better performance and to fix bugs and security issues. By leaving your router on default mode, you are depriving yourself of the new changes made to the device.
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Change your frequency
The frequency bands available on routers are the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz. The 2.4 GHz is usually overcrowded, and if you have individual home appliances like microwaves and baby monitors, they will make your network slower because they share the same frequency band. 5GHz is less popular than the 2 GHz and a faster option.
On some routers, both bands run simultaneously, however, if this is not the case with your router, you only have to change your frequency band from 2.4 GHz to 5GHz. Before you make the change, be sure that all of your devices are compatible with the 5 GHz frequency.
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Switch the channel
If you happen to be in a place where several people have routers, their routers may interfere with your signal and make it slow. Most recent router models have a default mode for best channel, but if this is not the case with your router or if the default channel is slow, you can manually change the channel for a better network.
