In today's world, digital security is no longer the preserve of IT specialists but a necessity for every home network user. Many router owners don't even consider that their wireless network could be open to outsiders or protected by outdated protocols that can be easily hacked in minutes. Changing your encryption type is the first and most important step to protecting your personal data, bank cards, and browser history from hackers.
Changing security settings doesn't require advanced technical knowledge, but it's critical if you want to prevent unauthorized access to your internet connection. In this article, we'll take a detailed look at the differences between modern security standards, why WEP shouldn't be used, and how to properly configure your router for maximum hacking resistance.
Before making changes to your router settings, understand that you're dealing with key network parameters. A poorly chosen protocol can cause some older devices to simply stop connecting to Wi-Fi, so it's important to balance security and hardware compatibility.
Main types of encryption and their differences
In the world of wireless networks, there are several security standards that have evolved along with technology. The earliest and hopelessly outdated standard is WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). It was introduced back in 1997 and is now considered completely insecure. A WEP-encrypted network can be hacked in just a few seconds using standard tools available to any novice hacker.
WEP has been replaced by a standard WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), which was intended to be a temporary solution to the problems of its predecessor. However, it quickly lost its relevance due to vulnerabilities in the TKIP protocol. Modern routers may not even support this mode, and using it today is tantamount to a lack of security.
- 🔒 WPA2 (AES) — the current industry standard, providing robust security using the AES algorithm, which is virtually impossible to crack by brute force in a reasonable amount of time.
- 🚀 WPA3 — a new protocol that addresses the shortcomings of WPA2, protects against brute-force attacks even with weak passwords, and encrypts traffic on open networks.
- ⚠️ Mixed Mode - Compatibility mode (WPA/WPA2), which is often selected by default, but it reduces the overall security of the network to the level of the weakest device.
The choice between WPA2 and WPA3 depends on the age of your equipment. If all your devices were released in the last 3-4 years, go ahead and choose WPA2. WPA3-Personal, as this provides the highest level of protection. However, if you have smart light bulbs, older laptops, or older gaming consoles in your home, they may simply not see the network or refuse to connect.
⚠️ Note: Router settings interfaces are constantly updated by manufacturers. The layout of menu items may vary depending on the firmware version and device model. Always verify the menu item names with the official documentation for your model.
Preparing to change security settings
Before changing settings, you need to prepare to avoid losing access to your router or disconnecting all devices from the internet. The most important thing is to ensure you have physical access to the router and an Ethernet cable, although in most cases you can use Wi-Fi as long as you don't change settings in a way that would disconnect your current connection.
You'll need to know the IP address of the gateway used to access the control panel. Most often, these addresses are 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.31.1, but they can be changed by the user. It's also crucial to know the administrator login and password, which are often found by default on a sticker on the bottom of the device.
☑️ Preparing to set up your router
It's recommended to make a list of all devices connected to your network in advance. This will help you quickly check whether all devices are able to re-authorize after changing the encryption type. If a device fails to connect, it may not support the new security protocol you selected.
Login to the router control panel
The process of entering the settings is universal for most models, whether it is TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic or MikroTikOpen any browser on a device connected to the router's network and enter the IP address in the address bar. After pressing Enter, the system will prompt you for login credentials.
If you've never changed the default credentials, try the combinations admin/admin or admin/password. If successful, you'll be taken to a web interface, which may look like a modern dashboard with graphs or an older text menu. We're interested in the section related to wireless networking.
| Router brand | Standard IP | Menu section |
|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 | Wireless -> Wireless Security |
| ASUS | 192.168.1.1 | Wireless -> WPA Pre-Shared Key |
| Keenetic | 192.168.1.1 | My Networks and Wi-Fi -> Home Network |
| Xiaomi | 192.168.31.1 | Wi-Fi Settings -> Security |
Some modern routers with cloud management support can be accessed via a mobile app. In this case, encryption settings can be accessed through the app interface on your smartphone, which is often even more convenient than using a browser.
Step-by-step instructions for changing the encryption type
Once you've logged into the control panel, find the section responsible for wireless networking. It may be called Wireless, Wi-Fi, Wireless network or WLAN. Within this section, look for the subsection Wireless Security or SecurityThis is where the key settings are located.
In the field Security Mode or Version (Version) Select the desired encryption type. It is recommended to select WPA2-PSK [AES] or WPA3-PersonalIf you see the option TKIP, avoid it, as this encryption algorithm has long been recognized as vulnerable and reduces connection speed.
Recommended sequence of actions:1. Wireless -> Wireless Security
2. Security Mode: WPA2-PSK (Recommended) or WPA3
3. Encryption: AES
4. Wireless Password: [Create a strong password]
5. Save / Apply
After selecting the encryption type, be sure to change your wireless network password to a complex and unique one. The old password may be widely known or may have been compromised. The new password must contain at least 12 characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers.
Don't forget to press the button Save or Apply to save the changes. The router may reboot, and the connection to it will be interrupted for a short time. This is normal behavior when applying new security settings.
What should I do if my router freezes after changing settings?
If the router stops responding after applying these settings, try performing a factory reset. To do this, press the Reset button on the device with a thin object and hold it for 10-15 seconds. This will reset the router to its factory settings, and you can set it up again.
Setting up dual-band routers (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
Modern routers often operate in two frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. It's important to understand that encryption settings for each band can be configured separately, especially if you have network separation enabled (Smart Connect is disabled).
For the 2.4 GHz band, which has a longer range but lower speed, it is better to use WPA2-PSK (AES)This will ensure maximum compatibility with older devices, such as smart plugs, vacuum cleaners, and older smartphones, which may not support WPA3.
The 5 GHz band, designed for high-speed internet and streaming video, can and should be converted to WPA3, if your devices (laptops, new phones, consoles) support it. This will create an additional security barrier for the most valuable traffic.
- 📡 2.4 GHz — set WPA2/WPA3 Mixed or just WPA2 for better compatibility with IoT devices.
- ⚡ 5 GHz — feel free to choose WPA3-Personal for maximum protection of your high-speed channel.
- 🔗 Guest network — Be sure to enable encryption for the guest SSID as well, so that guests cannot access your primary files.
If you combine networks under a single name (SSID), the router will automatically select the optimal protocol, but this often results in all devices using WPA2. For fine-tuned security, it's best to separate networks or manually check the settings for each radio module in the corresponding interface tabs.
⚠️ Note: When changing the encryption type, all connected devices will lose connection. You will need to re-enter the password on each smartphone, tablet, and laptop. Make sure you have access to the new passwords.
Compatibility issues and their solutions
After upgrading to stronger encryption protocols like WPA3, you may encounter situations where some devices simply don't see the network or display connection errors. This is especially common with smart home devices released several years ago.
If this happens, don't panic. Go back to your router settings and try changing the security mode to mixed. WPA2/WPA3 MixedThis will allow new devices to use the improved protocol, while older devices will continue to use WPA2. If this doesn't help, temporarily leave the 2.4 GHz band using WPA2 only.
Problems can also be caused by outdated Wi-Fi adapter drivers on your computer. If your laptop won't connect to a network with a new encryption type, check the laptop manufacturer's website and update the wireless module drivers. Manufacturers often release patches that add support for new security standards.
In rare cases, the cause may be an incorrect time and date setting on the router. Some encryption protocols are sensitive to time desynchronization. Make sure that the router's system settings (System Tools -> Time Settings) the correct time is set, preferably via synchronization with an NTP server.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to use WPA/WPA2 Mixed mode?
Mixed mode is only temporarily acceptable if you have devices that don't support WPA2. However, this reduces the overall network security to the level of WPA, which is vulnerable. It's best to replace old devices or update their firmware.
Can changing encryption slow down your internet speed?
Switching from WEP or WPA(TKIP) to WPA2(AES) will actually increase speed, as AES is hardware-accelerated in modern router processors. Switching to WPA3 also shouldn't noticeably affect speed for the average user.
What should I do if I forgot my new Wi-Fi password after changing it?
If you forget your password, there's no way to recover it. The only option is to reset the router to factory settings using the Reset button and reconfigure the network with a new password. Therefore, always write down your new password in a safe place.
Should I change the encryption type if my password is very complex?
Yes, it is. Even the most complex password is useless if it uses an outdated encryption algorithm (WEP/WPA-TKIP), which allows data to be intercepted and decrypted without knowing the password. The algorithm is more important than the password length.