Router Setup
A reliable internet connection is as essential as electricity or running water in today’s digital age. Since our daily life activities are heavily influenced by technology, we need a reliable internet connection for one reason or another. For a reliable internet connection, you need a good WiFi router with a properly configured internet connection. However, many people are unaware of the importance of configuring the internet connection and setting up the router, and end up making critical mistakes during the router setup process.
If you can set up your router correctly, then not only can you get blazing-fast speeds, but also protect your network from all sorts of cyber threats and ensure optimal performance of the network. So the next time you are setting up your WiFi router, here are some common mistakes that you should avoid during router setup.
1. Placing the Router in the Wrong Location
A very common mistake that most people make and you should avoid is placing the router in the wrong position. The positioning of the routers matters a lot because the signal strength of the router depends on its positioning. If the router is placed in a poor location, let’s say inside a cabinet, next to concrete walls, in the basement, or behind large furniture, then signals are hindered and signal strength decreases.
Poor placements lead to WiFi signals being easily obstructed by nearby objects, which leads to dead zones, slower connections, and dropped signals in various parts of the home. Therefore, place the router strategically in a central, elevated location, ideally halfway between the farthest connected devices and away from electronics.
2. Not Changing the Default Admin Username and Password
During the router setup process, you need to visit the admin panel of the router. Every WiFi router comes with a default username and password to access the admin panel of the router. These login credentials are often printed on the back of the router or included in the manual and are also publicly available online. Not changing the default login credentials can have grave consequences because using the default credentials makes your router an easy target for hackers, especially if you have enabled remote management.
To prevent any security issues, you should change the default admin username and password as soon as the router is set up. Use a strong, unique password including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. (Do not confuse your WiFi password with the admin password, as both of these serve different purposes and should be changed.)
3. Misconfiguring WiFi Security Settings
Many users leave their WiFi network open or use outdated encryption protocols for security, such as WPA or WEP. These encryption protocols are obsolete and can be cracked in minutes. Right after you set up the router, log into the router page and review the router’s security settings to secure your network. This involves using WPA3 encryption if available; if not, WPA2 is still acceptable. Disable WPS, create a guest network for visitors, and set a strong password for the WiFi network.
4. Ignoring Firmware Updates
Your router is an electronic device, like any other modern tech device, and runs on software called firmware. Router manufacturers periodically release firmware updates to improve the performance of the router, fix bugs, and patch security vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, many people ignore firmware updates after setting up their router, which leaves their network vulnerable to hacking, malware, and data breaches. Not to mention that outdated firmware can cause connectivity issues and reduce performance.
So right after you set up your router, visit the router’s admin panel and see if updates are available. In case updates are available, install them to keep your router updated.
5. Failing to Separate Frequency Bands
Modern-day WiFi routers operate on multiple frequency bands, usually 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Yet, many users are unaware of this and use only one bad for broadcasting WiFi signals, which limits the performance. As soon as you set up your router, enable dual-band configuration and name each band differently (e.g., “HomeWiFi_2.4” and “HomeWiFi_5G”) so devices can choose the best one based on range and need.
