Free from the bullet of wireless internet: how to set up your Wi-Fi correctly

In the period of self-isolation, we need the Internet like air, without it we can not learn important news, communicate with loved ones and work. However, it is now the time when many have problems with Wi-Fi network. Setting up a Wi-Fi network properly makes our life much easier and saves our nerves. Few of us ponder if he/she did everything properly to ensure reliability of data transfer and signal level stability of home Wi-Fi network, but it is important.How to find out why the “bad signal” and fix the problem? The Roskatchet Center for Digital Expertise lists the steps you’ll need to take to properly set up your Wi-Fi.

Five tips for setting up Wi-Fi

1. Updating the router firmware. Do not neglect firmware updates, because often even the most minor ones contain important elements of protection of your private network. Most modern router models support automatic firmware update, and this functionality should be used. For those for whom the word firmware evokes textile associations – see the instructions in the documentation of the device. Updating can be done with the help of the support service of your internet provider.

2. Using WPA. WPA is a security protocol used by routers for secure and protected connections. If you go along with new technological trends, your home router as well as your connection device should already use the latest WPA3 security protocol. This is a relatively new protocol, which provides more security for data transmission. Each user connection to the access point is encrypted with a unique key to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks and interception of your traffic. If your device does not have this option, then you must use the WPA2 legacy protocol.

3. Setting a strong password. It is imperative to change the factory password to your own, because the factory password is standard for all models of the firm and is often written on the label on the bottom of the router. It is not difficult for intruders to break 4-6 standard factory passwords of manufacturers. Tips on passwords link to old article

4. Change the network name SSID . In the default settings the network name reveals the make and model of your router. This information helps attackers infiltrate your home network, so be sure to rename the SSID. Also the best action would be to hide the network, this action will remove the network from the list of displayed. However, keep in mind that you need to hide the network after you’ve established a connection to all your home devices and will have to turn on network mapping when you add a new one.

5. Use the manual to find out what extra features your router supports e.g. FTP, CIFS, etc. and if you don’t use them, disable them, as they can reduce throughput.

All tips are given, but the stability of the Wi-Fi signal leaves much to be desired? Let’s see what could be wrong.

Often in apartment buildings there is a high density of wireless signals and since the neighbors are also actively using the Internet, it is very likely that the radio channel through which the wireless network is spreading, intersects with the neighbor’s. To solve this problem you need to choose a free channel: there are two ways: either to search for channels manually and make the corresponding measurements, or to download a special program, for example InSSIDer or WiFiInfoView. After scanning the available networks and identifying the busiest radio channels, you must change your channel to a free one. The interface of each router model is different, but the key designations are the same: thus, we will need the item “Network settings” Wireless Settings , then – the parameter “Channel” Wireless Channel . In this point you should change the channel to the one you have defined as free in the previous steps.

In addition to the channels you can try to change the frequency range: most modern routers support multiple bands – 2.4 and 5 GHz. The default setting is usually 2.4 GHz, which makes it busier than 5 GHz and slower. You can change the range in the router settings. But keep in mind that despite these advantages, the 5 GHz band has shorter wavelengths which make the signal penetrate walls less easily and travel over shorter distances than in the 2.4 GHz band.

Also keep in mind the placement of your router: concrete walls are not conducive to good Wi-Fi signal distribution, and in a private home is a critical issue for complete home network coverage. A device called a “repeater” – also known as a “wireless signal repeater” – can help. The essence of the device is the following: it receives an incoming Wi-Fi signal, amplifies it and distributes it further. You can cover a large apartment or entire country house with a stable Internet connection this way.

Any modern smartphone also has the functions of a Wi-Fi router, which distributes the Internet from your mobile network to nearby devices. This method can be useful under force majeure circumstances, when something unexpectedly happens with the home Internet, and access to the Internet is necessary. Setting up a mobile access point is simple – the corresponding item is located in the settings on iOS platform “Modem mode”, and on Andriod – in the “connections” and then the item “Mobile hotspot”. However, these ways are more temporary than permanent, and that’s why:

1. We should not forget about mobile traffic consumption: in some tariffs it can be very expensive.

2. Network congestion or weak signal. Mobile internet, just like a phone signal, is distributed via mobile towers, which can be as far away from home, and heavily loaded, and therefore the mobile internet speed is undervalued.

Although a smartphone can’t serve as a good alternative to a home router, in emergency situations it can help the user and help get online. Remember that this alternative cannot become permanent, because even with an unlimited tariff the technology works in such a way that when a certain amount of traffic is exhausted, the operator can limit the speed so that other users can also use the network.

We wish everybody to set up their Wi-Fi network so as to forget about problems with the connection at all and enjoy work, study and entertainment.