Setting up a guest Wi-Fi network

A guest network is a separate Wi-Fi network with its own name and password that provides internet access but keeps visitors away from the rest of your network.

It takes about five minutes to set up and solves several problems at once.

Why bother

• Your devices stay private. Guests can’t reach your computers, network storage, printers or security cameras.
• Your main password stays yours. No need to share it with every visitor, tradesperson or friend of the family.
• Easy to change. Change the guest password whenever you like without reconnecting everything you own.
• Contains the damage. If a visitor’s laptop is infected with something, it can’t spread to your devices.
• Useful for smart-home gear too. Many people put cheap smart devices on the guest network to keep them isolated.

Setting it up

1. Log in to your router. Type its address into a browser — it’s on the label underneath, along with the admin credentials.
2. Find the guest network settings. Usually under “Wireless”, “Guest Network” or “Guest Wi-Fi”. Most modern routers have it; some older ones don’t.
3. Enable the guest network and give it a clear name, for example Home-Guest.
4. Set a password. Use something different from your main network but easy to pass on — guests will be typing it on phones.
5. Turn on client isolation. This is the important setting. It may be called “AP isolation”, “guest isolation” or “allow guests to access local network” (which should be off).
6. Set a bandwidth limit if available. Some routers let you cap guest speeds so visitors can’t swallow the whole connection.
7. Save and test. Connect a phone to the guest network and confirm you can browse but can’t reach your printer or shared folders.

If your router has no guest option

• Some entry-level routers don’t support guest networks. Check the manufacturer’s app as well as the web interface — the feature is sometimes only in the app.
• A firmware update may add it.
• Otherwise, change your main Wi-Fi password periodically instead — less convenient, but better than nothing.
• We can supply routers and access points with proper guest network support. Ask us.

For businesses

If you’re offering Wi-Fi to customers in a shop, restaurant, hotel or waiting room, a home router’s guest feature isn’t really the right tool. Our managed Wi-Fi service provides a branded captive portal, voucher-based access, time and data limits, proper separation from your business network, and usage reporting — all managed by us.

Guest network hygiene

• Change the guest password every few months.
• Turn the guest network off when you don’t need it, if your router allows scheduling.
• Don’t connect your own devices to it — that defeats the purpose.
• Check your router’s connected-devices list occasionally to see who’s on.