The devices in our home including computers, tablets, smartphones, printers and smart home devices connect to our wireless router. Protecting your network and limiting access is important.
See my article Secure your Wireless Router
When you have visitors in your home, they may ask for your Wi-Fi password, you might believe it is ok to allow your friends and family to connect to your main network because you trust them, but granting guests direct access poses a security risk. Their devices may be infected with malicious apps and malware which can spread across your network. Keeping guests isolated mitigates the chance of this happening.
Most homes have one network setup, a guest network uses the same wireless router but applies a separate SSID and password. Guests can connect to the internet, but they will not have access to your computers and other devices. They will be connected to the guest network only.
When setting up the guest network, enable security features limiting what those connected can do. For example, you can block access to inappropriate content and set time and bandwidth limits.
Most new routers allow for guest access. Check the manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to set it up.
Once guest access is enabled you can create a QR code that allows your guests to easily connect. This can be done by using your iPhone or Android.
iPhone
Open the shortcuts app and then tap gallery in the lower right corner.
At the top of the screen, you will see rectangular boxes with small icons. Tap shortcuts for accessibility.
Scroll down and tap QR your Wi-Fi. Then tap add shortcut.
Tap my shortcuts in the bottom left side of the screen.
Tap QR your Wi-Fi in the list of shortcuts, enter the Wi-Fi SSID of your guest network, press done.
Enter the password for the guest network and tap done.
The QR code will be displayed. You can save it, AirDrop it, print it and more.
Android
Android phones have a built-in utility that generates a QR code.
Connect to the guest network on your smartphone.
Tap settings > connections > Wi-Fi.
Tap the gear icon next to the guest network.
In the bottom left corner tap QR code.
The QR code will be displayed. You can save or share the code.
The Tech Minimalist 