Guest Wi-Fi and smart devices: how to use them
In short: A guest network is a second Wi-Fi name with its own password. The FTC recommends one for visitors. Many people also put TVs and cameras on it, which follows the same idea.
What a guest network is
The FTC explains: "Many routers let you set up a guest network with a different name and password." It gives two reasons to use one: "Having a separate login means fewer people have your primary Wi-Fi network password," and "In case a guest (unknowingly) has malware on their phone or tablet, it won't get onto your primary network and your devices."
Both reasons are about visitors. The FTC does not say to put TVs, cameras and speakers on the guest network.
Why some people put gadgets there too
This part is our reasoning, not an agency recommendation. Smart TVs, cameras and speakers are often the devices that get fewer updates and have weaker passwords than a computer. A guest network keeps them on a separate Wi-Fi from your computers and phones, which follows the same logic the FTC gives for visitors.
The agencies do warn about these devices. The FTC says: "Just as hackers can get to your data through unsecured networks, they can also get to your network through unsecured devices." CISA's 2016 alert said the devices attacked were "primarily home routers, network-enabled cameras, and digital video recorders," and advised: "If a device comes with a default password or an open Wi-Fi connection, consumers should change the password and only allow it to operate on a home network with a secured Wi-Fi router." The FTC has a separate article on securing your internet-connected devices.
What might not work
Some devices need to be on the same network as your phone to work, for example a speaker you cast to, a printer, or a camera app that finds the camera on your Wi-Fi. Some routers also block guest devices from reaching each other. If a gadget stops responding after you move it, move it back, or leave the ones that need your main network where they are. Behavior varies by router, so try one device first.
How to set one up
- Sign in to your router. See how to sign in.
- Find the Wi-Fi or wireless settings and look for "guest network". The name and place vary by brand.
- Turn it on and give it its own name and its own password, different from your main one.
- If the router offers an option about letting guests see other devices on your network, leave that off. The wording differs between routers.
- Connect one device to it and check that it still works before moving more.
- Sign out, as the FTC advises: "Once you've set up your router or are done changing settings, don't forget to log out as administrator."
Plain steps for some brands are in our guides for Netgear, TP-Link, ASUS and Linksys. If your router is old, check the Wi-Fi security setting too. The FTC says: "Older routers have WPA and WEP, which are outdated and not secure."
What it does not do
- It does not fix a default password or an out-of-date device. Do those first.
- It does not show up in the free check, which only sees from the outside. The Home Scan app looks at the devices on your network.
- How well a guest network keeps devices apart depends on the router. We cannot verify it for yours.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, "How To Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network" (consumer advice, December 2022): consumer.ftc.gov
- CISA, "Heightened DDoS Threat Posed by Mirai and Other Botnets" (alert TA16-288A, released October 14, 2016, now archived): cisa.gov
Quotes are copied from those pages. We read them directly on November 8, 2026. Agencies revise and archive pages, so check the originals for anything you plan to rely on.