Your step-by-step guide to changing your WiFi password and keeping your network safe.
You should probably update your WiFi password. Chances are, it’s been a while since you last changed it – and in the meantime, all sorts of people might have accessed it.
Your ex-boyfriend’s weird cousin who used it that one time? He’s got it. Your teenager’s entire group of friends who had that late-night party? They’ve all got it. And whoever has your WiFi password has access to your network, meaning that they could do dodgy things online using your data and your IP address. They could also gain access to other devices on your network, or (if they’re a hacker/prankster who wants to make your life miserable) they could brute force your router’s admin password to change your password and lock you out of your own network.
Okay, given what we said in that previous paragraph… you should definitely change your WiFi password.
It’s easy to do this if you know how. Here’s how to change your WiFi password if you’re a Vodacom LTE or 5G home Internet user, in fewer than 10 steps:
1. Connect to your router.
Make sure your device (phone, laptop, whatever) is connected to the Wi-Fi network (or via Ethernet).
2. Open a web browser.
Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge… Whatever you usually use.
3. Enter the router’s IP address.
Here’s where things get tricky. You’ll first need to know what the IP address is. It’s usually printed on a sticker on the actual, physical router. If you can’t find it there, use a website like whatismyip.com. It’ll look something like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Type it into the browser’s address bar and press Enter.
4. Log in to the router interface
Enter the router’s username and password. The default is usually admin (for both fields), but that might have changed. If you’ve forgotten your password, all hope is not lost. Check here.
5. Navigate to Wi-Fi settings
Look for the sections labelled Wireless, Wi-Fi, WLAN, or Network.
6. Change the network name
If you want to, you can change your network name. Find the field labelled SSID or Network Name and enter the new name there.
7. Change the Wi-Fi password
Find the field labelled Password, Passphrase, or WPA Key. Enter your new password there. Make it a strong one, using a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. (A password like “password” or “12345” is weak and will be hacked in less than a second). Use a password management app to help you remember it.
8. Save your changes
Click Save or Apply. You may have to restart the router for changes to take effect.
9. Reconnect your devices
All the devices that were linked to the old password will be kicked off the network, and you’ll have to reconnect them. Yes, it’s a small inconvenience… but it also locks out anybody who’s using your Wi-Fi and shouldn’t be!
Nine steps. That’s fewer than 10, right? See: we told you this would be easy! And sure, this may cause admin in your life having to add devices back, but think of it as spring cleaning for your digital life and remember: now you’ll have no more freeloading neighbours, no more mystery data usage, and definitely no more unwanted guests lurking on your network. Your internet speed might even improve once you’ve kicked them off.
Learn more about fibre’s speed and the many ways you can use it and when you’re done, find a Vodacom Fibre deal that suits your needs.
