How to Secure Your Home Network for Remote Work

When you work from home, your home network does a job it was never really designed for. The same router that streams the children's cartoons and connects a dozen smart bulbs is now carrying client emails, company files and video calls. Most home networks are set up once by the broadband engineer and never touched again.

The good news is that securing a home network doesn't require expensive kit or technical expertise. It needs an hour and a sensible checklist. Here's the one we use when we review homes for people working remotely.

1. Change the Router Admin Password

Your router has two passwords: the Wi-Fi password you give to guests, and an admin password that controls the router itself. Older routers often shipped with simple or shared admin passwords printed on a sticker, and many people have never changed them.

• Log in to the router's settings page (the address is usually on the sticker or in your provider's app).
• Change the admin password to something long and unique, and store it in your password manager.
• Turn off remote management unless you genuinely need it, so the settings can only be changed from inside your home.

2. Keep the Firmware Up to Date

Router firmware is the software that runs your router, and security flaws are found in it regularly. Routers supplied by major UK broadband providers usually update themselves, but routers you've bought yourself, older mesh systems and second-hand kit often don't.

• Check for updates in the router's app or settings page and switch on automatic updates if available.
• If your router no longer receives updates at all, it's time to replace it. An unsupported router is a weak front door.

3. Use Strong Wi-Fi Encryption

Wi-Fi encryption stops neighbours or passers-by snooping on your traffic or joining your network.

• Choose WPA3 if your router supports it, or WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode if you have older devices that need it.
• Never use WEP or an open network.
• Use a long Wi-Fi password, at least 12 characters. A memorable phrase works well.
• Turn off WPS, the push-button pairing feature, which has a history of security weaknesses.

4. Put Smart Devices on a Guest Network

Smart plugs, cameras, TVs and doorbells are often the least secure things in your house. If one is compromised, you don't want it on the same network as your work laptop.

Most routers offer a guest network that is kept separate from your main one. Use it for smart home devices and visitors, and keep your main network for the computers and phones you trust. Better routers and mesh systems let you create a dedicated network just for smart devices. Our smart home starter guide explains this in more detail.

5. VPNs: Myths and Reality

Consumer VPN adverts would have you believe you're unsafe online without one. The reality is more nuanced.

• A commercial VPN won't stop phishing, malware or weak passwords. Those are the threats that actually catch most people.
• Almost every website already uses encryption (the padlock in your browser), so your traffic is protected on your home network either way.
• A consumer VPN mainly hides your browsing from your broadband provider and is genuinely useful on public Wi-Fi in cafés, hotels and stations.
• Your employer's VPN or secure access tool is different. If your company provides one, use it exactly as instructed. It exists to protect company systems, not your privacy.

6. Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication Everywhere

Multi-factor authentication (MFA), also called two-factor or 2FA, means that even if someone steals your password, they still can't get in without your phone. It's the single most effective security step most people can take.

• Start with email, because it can reset every other account.
• Then banking, Apple, Google or Microsoft accounts, social media and shopping sites.
• Use an authenticator app or passkeys where possible, rather than text messages.
• Pair it with a password manager so every account has a unique password. We explain why in our guide to password managers.

7. Look After the Devices Themselves

A secure network is only half the picture. The laptop matters just as much.

• Keep work and personal use separate where you can. Don't let family members use a work laptop.
• Keep automatic updates switched on for the operating system and browser.
• Lock the screen whenever you step away, especially in shared houses.
• Make sure the laptop is encrypted and backed up.
• Be alert to scam emails and calls. Our guide on spotting scam calls, texts and emails covers the common tricks.

If you run a small business and have a team working from home, the stakes are higher. Our business cybersecurity services cover managed devices, secure remote access and staff training across the whole company.

Get Your Home Network Checked

Our home Wi-Fi and networking service includes a full security review of your router, Wi-Fi and devices, with any fixes made there and then on a personalised quote agreed before any work. Senri Home visits across West and South West London seven days a week, 8am to 9pm. Book a visit or call or WhatsApp 07826 399715.

Related Reading

• How to Fix Wi-Fi Dead Spots in a Large House
• Smart Home Starter Guide for UK Homes
• New Laptop Setup Checklist: What to Do First