[x_section style=”margin: 0px -45px -25px -45px; padding: 45px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]In this day and age, visitors to your place of business (and even your home) probably expect to have access to WiFi. But if you’re still just sharing your network login credentials with anyone who walks through the door, it is probably time to rethink your WiFi protocols and separate guest access from the primary network.
There are several advantages to having a separated guest access point – the biggest of which is security. When you distribute your network login credentials, guests are able to see all network devices such as printers and external hard drives and with a little technical skill may be able to access sensitive network information such as shared files. However, when a separate guest network is created, you are able to limit visitors to internet access – nothing more!
Furthermore, depending on your hardware setup, you can
- Limit how much bandwidth guests are able to use (in other words, they can check and send emails, but they may not be able to stream a movie).
- Put restrictions on how long any one user can be on the network at one time and/or when they can use the network.
- Limit the type(s) of content users are allowed to view while on your network.
Although you can set up a guest access point without any password protection, it is still advisable to create a simple password that is easy to remember and simple for users to input to prevent unwanted users outside your home or business from accessing your network. Having a password, albeit a simple one will also give users a sense of added security when using your guest network. With that said, it is always good to have a user disclosure that pops up (and must be accepted) before anyone is allowed to log in which basically says that the user assumes all liability when agreeing to use the shared guest network… just in case there ever is a breach, etc.
Don’t put your network unnecessarily at risk. If you haven’t done so already, we strongly recommend creating a separate guest WiFi access point. Need help getting this setup or have questions? Contact your ATB representative today to learn more![/x_text][x_prompt type=”left” title=”Call Us Today” message=”Give us a call: 314-878-4166″ button_text=”Contact Us Online” button_icon=”comment” circle=”false” href=”/contact/” href_title=”” target=””][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section]