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How to Change your Wi-Fi Password (and How Often You Should Do It)

It is becoming more and more important to change your Wi-Fi password regularly. This potentially protects you from hackers and other online threats. Not changing your Wi-Fi password can leave you vulnerable to identity theft and other online crimes.

Today we’ll be talking about how to change your Wi-Fi password as well as how to do it.

How to Change Your Wi-Fi Password

So, how do you change your Wi-Fi password? The process may vary depending on the router you are using, but in general, it is relatively simple.

Follow these steps to change your Wi-Fi password:

1. Open your web browser and type in the address of your router’s admin page. For example, if AT&T provides your internet service, you will want to log into your AT&T account via their website.
2. Start by logging in with your username and password. If you don’t know them, check the manual for your router or contact your provider by phone. You can also use the forgot my password feature to find it.
3. Click on the wireless settings or wireless network tab.
4. Find the password or security key field and type in a new password.
5. Click on the save or apply button.

How Often Should You Change It?

Experts recommend changing your password every 3-6 months. It helps to ensure that your information is safe and secure.

Changing your password regularly also helps to keep hackers and other online threats at bay. It keeps you and your information safe and gives you the comfort of knowing that you are taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself.

Why It’s Important to Update Passwords

Changing your password is also crucial if you think someone may have guessed or stolen it. Not to mention, you don’t want unauthorized individuals using your Wi-Fi connection.

This creates problems in multiple ways. One, someone else may be unknowingly using up your data plan. When someone uses up your data, it will cost you more money on your internet bill.

Two, others are using your bandwidth which can slow down your internet connection. It creates an inconvenience as you will be searching for reasons why your router isn’t working as it should when in fact, it’s just your neighbor using your connection without your permission.

Change your password if you have not done so in a while. Many people don’t realize that they should be changing their passwords regularly. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends changing your passwords every three months.

However, if you have a strong password, it may not be necessary to change it as often. A strong password is one that is difficult to guess and includes a variety of characters, including numbers, letters, and symbols.

So, if you have a hard-to-guess password, you may be able to stretch out the time between password changes. At the same time, still adhere to even changing it every so often.

Creating a Strong Password

It is crucial to create a strong password. You want to lower the chances of someone guessing your password and accessing your personal information. Therefore, creating a password with your address, date of birth, or even last name will be the easiest to guess.

One good feature with most providers is that they automatically create a password for you, which is a mix of numbers and letters. The problem with this is that it isn’t always easy to remember, so you might consider changing it.

Another good way to create a strong password is to use a passphrase. This sentence or phrase is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. For example, I love cats and dogs could be your passphrase.

Tips for Choosing a Strong Password

Be sure to choose a strong password that’s difficult to guess. Here are some of the best tips for creating a strong password:

• Make sure it’s at least eight characters long.
• Include letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Avoid using common words or phrases.
• Change it regularly.
• Never use the same password for more than one account.

Don’t Take the Easiest Way Out

One of the biggest mistakes in creating a password is using passwords such as 123456 or password. You want to avoid this because it is easy for hackers to guess.

One major mistake people often make is using the same password for multiple accounts. If one of your accounts gets hacked, the hacker will have access to all of your accounts using the same password.

Being proactive about protecting your online information and changing your passwords regularly is a great way to do this.

How to Keep Track of Your New Passwords

One reason that people don’t like changing their passwords is that they always forget them. Forgetting your password can be frustrating and lead to you having to change it repeatedly because you can’t access your information.

One way to prevent this from happening is to keep track of your passwords. There are a few different ways you can do this:

• Write them down and store them in a safe place.
• Use a password manager. A password manager helps you keep track of all your passwords.
• Use a password generator. They create strong passwords for you.
• Create a password hint. This is a question only you will know the answer to and can help you remember your password.
• Use two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication is an added security measure that requires more than just a username and password to log in. For example, if you forget your password, you can answer a security question and then receive a code via text or email to log in.

Wrapping Up

Changing your Wi-Fi password is not only easy, but it’s also an essential step in keeping yourself and your information safe from online threats. Be sure to change it regularly and create a strong password that’s difficult to guess. Follow these steps to keep your Wi-Fi network secure and prevent unauthorized access.