What are the most common wireless network configuration mistakes and how can you avoid them?

While it is a great practice to change the default SSID and password for any router you put into service, it's also very wise to turn off the broadcast of your SSID to the public. You know what your SSID is so, unless this is a "guest" network that you want others to find, you don't need to advertise your network to the world.

Absolutely, choosing the right SSID (Service Set Identifier) and password for your wireless network is a fundamental step in ensuring network security and preventing interference. Here are some key considerations when setting up your SSID and password: Unique SSID: Your SSID should be unique to your network. Using the default SSID that comes with your router can make it easier for unauthorized users to identify your network. Choose an SSID that doesn't reveal personal information and is not too common. Complex Password: Use a strong, complex password for your network. A strong password includes a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid easily guessable passwords like "123456" or "password."

Common wireless network configuration mistakes include using default or weak passwords, which can be easily exploited by attackers. Failing to change default network names (SSIDs) can make your network an attractive target. Inadequate encryption, like using outdated WEP, leaves your data vulnerable. Not updating firmware regularly can lead to known security vulnerabilities. To avoid these mistakes, use strong, unique passwords and regularly update them. Change default SSIDs to something unique. Implement robust encryption methods like WPA3. Keep firmware updated to patch known vulnerabilities and maintain a secure wireless network

Always use encryption on your network, hide your SSIDs, and ensure you have an ACL configuration that stops personal devices without MDM of some type from connecting.

We had wireless Devices at work and they were multi SSID support. But every time which I configured them, we had conflict in network. So I changed protocol to trunk and assigned different VLANs for every SSID. Also I made guest SSID for limited access to network

Overuse of WiFi extenders exacerbate network channel crowding and dramatically slow airwaves for everyone. Proper placement of a high quality AP will ensure faster speeds and the same coverage as using a handful of extenders. And cost the same or less.

Never leave a wireless AP on auto unless it's part of your own system. 2.4 Ghz should be on 1, 6, or 11 only. Anything else steps on half of the spectrum in that area. Never run 40Mhz wide unless you are in an RF area with nothing else. Little gain, and if you have other spectrum occupants, it's very un-neighborly and can even be slower. 5Ghz has considerations based on how wide you are running. 160Mhz requires a very clean RF space. Not all devices work with DFS channels either, so often 80Mhz is your limit, which leaves 2 areas avoiding DFS channels. Learn to conduct site surveys to find what is going to work best for your RF environment.

We should change the default WiFi router password because something we forgot default password as it's. Because all Router default password is known so someone can hack it easily.

If you stream heavy or data heavy because there is a difference. Stream heavy is large data loads and taxing to not only your network but your provider's network. Think trying to jam a golf ball or better yet a Football up a garden hose. This is not easy and is best done through ethernet whenever you have a port on your device or access to physical network availability. Streaming and the Max and amc+ go better with hardwire. If ethernet is not available segmentation is a plus if your router allows vlans or virtual local access networks to be set up. In a vlan setting the data is marked with a vlan number and guided through the network without some of the overhead one deals with without the vlan.

Another aspect to consider when placing your router is the availability of a nearby power outlet. Many manufacturers suggest that their routers be plugged directly into an outlet, and not to a surge protector or power strip. The reason is that a surge protector splits the power available amongst the devices plugged in, which can degrade the power available to the router, in turn degrading or disrupting its signal.

The biggest mistake I see in home settings is the router ends up on a shelf, or behind the TV. TVs act like giant RF walls and can cause issues. As the article says, elevated in a central location is best. If you are using a dedicated access point it's usually ceiling mounted pointing down. It's common to find APs wall mounted which the antennas are not optimized for.

With the advancement of mesh networking, it’s best to keep triangulation on a 3D plane in mind when setting systems up with 2 or more satellites. This provides the most robust coverage. Also keep in mind that too many satellites in a small area will actually cause connection issues as the client devices will switch too much too frequently between units.

Don’t discount a good firmware like DD-WRT, Tomato, or OpenWRT. A lot of the stable releases provide excellent stability and leading edge technology. Using Odense for a firewall on a device can be extremely helpful also. The best part about all of these softwares / firmwares is that they are free. Make sure updates happen on a regular basis.

Often, attacks can occur outside regular monitoring and working hours. While alerts are an excellent tool to warn of possible threats, prevention is the key. One way to prevent unwarranted connections and possible ill intent individuals would be through WiFi Scheduler. This allows an SSID to not only stop broadcasting but also not allow any connections during this scheduled time.

During the wireless configuration. Both need to connect but some one is connected only for the system side. Not for the router side. It was happened in my old office during its time of wifi router configuration.

A pretty common mistake is also mismatched hardware. I’ve seen many times where a router is capable of running wifi 6 with max speeds, but the client side doesn’t have the proper hardware to take advantage of it. This can lead to frustration and higher costs for users who don’t know about this. Often it’s “I paid a lot of money for my router, but it still doesn’t work well” try to match up hardware capabilities to get the most out of your router.