Set up a separate guest network for visitors

Create a guest Wi-Fi network with its own password for visitors, smart home devices, and IoT gadgets. The guest network is isolated from your main network, so devices on it cannot see or access your computers, files, or printers.

Why It Works

Network segmentation limits the blast radius of a compromise. If a guest's infected device or a vulnerable smart device is hacked, the attacker is confined to the guest network and cannot reach your personal devices or data.

Tips

• Most modern routers have a guest network feature in settings — enable it and set a different password
• Put all smart home devices (cameras, thermostats, TVs) on the guest network
• Change the guest password regularly or after guests visit
• Some routers let you limit guest network bandwidth to prevent abuse