Redid my home office and spotted a big security flaw with my router

While setting up my new home office after some redecorating, I logged into my router. I found it was still using the default admin password from when I first got it years ago. What's the best way to regularly check and update these settings to stay safe?

4 comments

4 Comments

wyattp451d ago

I have to question how critical this really is for a typical home setup. Default passwords are a known issue, but the chance of a random attack on your home network is slim. Most hackers are after bigger targets with more valuable data. The hassle of changing router passwords often can lead to forgotten credentials and connection problems. Setting a strong password once and checking it yearly might be enough for real safety. Overdoing it just creates needless work for very little added protection.

xenas161d ago

Even I forget passwords after moving my own router, so @janag89 might have a point about the hassle, right?

janag891d ago

Seriously, why even bother changing it all the time? That's just asking for a headache. Most people's home networks are not worth the effort for a hacker to target in the first place. If it's been working fine for years on the default, constantly logging in and changing things is more likely to mess up your own connection. The tiny risk just isn't worth the regular hassle of remembering new passwords and updating all your devices. Just leave it alone and stop worrying so much.

taylor5011d ago

Actually, @janag89, I hear you on the hassle, but default passwords are a wide open door for bots that scan networks automatically. It's true most homes aren't big targets, but why make it easy for them? Picking one strong password and just checking it once a year takes almost no time. That little bit of effort cuts the risk way down without needing to change it all the time. Plus, it saves you from bigger headaches if something does go wrong with your connection later.