How to Change the Default Router Password
Hackers have been breaking into wireless networks for a long time, but they don’t need to hack your wireless if you never changed your wireless router’s admin password from its default value. All the hacker needs to do is look up the default password and log in. To change the default password, open the administrative console in a web browser, enter the default router password and look for a field labeled password or something similar. Directions vary by make and model of router.
Where to Find a Router Default Password
You need to know the default password to change it. If you didn’t write it down when you set up the router, you can find it in the documentation that came with the router or on the manufacturer’s website.
How to Reset the Router if You Can’t Remember the Password
If you changed the password but don’t know what it is, and it’s not the default value for your model, you have to perform a factory reset to restore the default. The steps that follow are general. When executed, they wipe all of your router’s configuration settings and set them back to their out-of-the-box factory defaults. You have to change all your router’s settings, such as your wireless network SSID, password, encryption settings, and so on, after performing this step.
Router Passwords vs. Network Passwords
Your router’s administrative password is not the same as the password to access your Wi-Fi. In fact, you should not use the same password for both purposes. Some standard addresses include:
Apple: 10.0.1.1ASUS: 192.168.1.1Belkin: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.1Buffalo: 192.168.11.1DLink: 192.168.0.1 or 10.0.0.1Linksys: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1Netgear: 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.0.227
You may have to consult your specific router’s manual for the correct address or check a site such as RouterIPaddress.com.
