Changing g WiFi code

[DelphiniumBlue]

I've threatened a teen with changing WiFi code if he doesn't do what he's been asked/ previously committed to, so I should go ahead and do it. But I don't know how! And he thinks I can't so is secretly laughing.
I've googled it but the instructions don't make sense to he, talking about interface etc.
Could someone talk me through it, step by step? It would need to be very basic - said teen normally does all the techy stuff for me, along with his brothers.
Which brings me to the AIBU.
Am I being fair to do this when it affects all of them? They are close, I don't think I could trust any of them not to share it with the others. The others are older, early 20s, all of them at home, oldest 2 job searching ( possibly not hard enough, which is why I am So keen for youngest to get out of the house and do something useful).
Thanks.

You need to change the password rather than the code. Instructions here: www.wikihow.com/Change-Your-Wi-Fi-Password

Can't you enter the password into the older kids phones/tablets/etc yourself? Then no one sees it but your other kids aren't missing out?

Once you've changed it that is :)

Thanks for the link! I wasn't sure how to do ours, but this seems easy enough. Ours is still on the dafault factory setting so for security I want to alter the password.

If you do change the code, remember you need to step them connecting by physically pressing the WPS button on the router too.

Thanks people, will check it out.
Hereward I don't think I understand your post. Could you explain a bit more?
Thanks

It all depends what make/model of router you have providing WiFi.

Is it an ISP provided one, or a standalone ?

Most decent routers can be setup with a series of rules based on device and time to allow/deny access.

When our DS was home, it shut off (for him !) at 23:00 and come on at 08:30, weekdays.

If it's simply changing Wi-Fi access for a router it's a two-step process as indicated in the wikihow link above:

1. use an admin password to get into the settings of the router; and
2. change the encryption key (Wi-Fi passcode or however it's called).

So the first thing you need is the admin password. If you can get that, get into the settings of the router, and change the encryption key/Wi-Fi passcode, then after that it would be wise to change the admin password (and then keep a record) so no one else can meddle with the router settings.

Depending on whether your router has this facility, you can give it approved MAC addresses that it will accept connections from. Every device has a MAC address so you could add the other all the devices and turn the restriction on. You could remove his and lock him out.

Also make sure as well as changing the wifi passcode, you change the admin password for the router before he does!

Why not just unplug the router and take it with you when you go to work?

Before anything, the OP needs to be able to access the router control panel.

There should be instructions printed on the router. Typically you need to browse to a website like: 192.168.0.1 . That should bring up a webpage you need to log into (credentials are usually printed with the instructions - hence the advice to change the admin password)

Once you've browsed to and logged into that site, there will be (depending on router make/model) pages for setting allowed MAC addresses, etc.

More sophisticated routers allow you to setup blocklists, so no device can access blocked content.

If you use the router provided by your internet supplier, call them or go on their website. They'll walk you through.

I was planning on doing this but as it would mess up everyone else's phones etc. I'm going to take the transformer up to bed with me so they can't access the internet!! I'm mean! 😂

Changing WiFi codes regularly is good security practice.

It's also amusing when people you had no idea were using your WiFi emerge from the woodwork.

A few years ago, when I started with a company I changed the WiFi password (and set up a schedule for doing so). Within 20 minutes the manager from the unit next door was round demanding the new password. Turned out they had practically been running their business using our WiFi !

I agree with take the plug out.

Most wireless routers have a button which, when pressed, let a device trying to connect, access the network without entering the password. This WPS button probably has a symbol of two arrows pointing in different directions. There's not much point changing the code if your router has a WPS button, and it's enabled.

Never knew about the WPS button, would've saved me some hassle once upon a time.

Empty threats are rarely a good idea, especially if the person knows it's an empty threat and the threat is impact the innocent.

Find the make and model of your router and google how to change the WIFI password. If your modem was supplied by a cable company then you could ask them directly.

If you don't want to punish others with changing the password you could just block the devices he uses but that would exclude most cable supplied routers, as they often disable a lot of the functionality of the routers they supply. Which means, you would have to purchase a separate router and use it as a bridge to the cable supplied router,

If you have children, being technologically challenged isn't a defence, you need to at least try and become more clued up for this very reason.

Google is your friend.

Which means, you would have to purchase a separate router and use it as a bridge to the cable supplied router,

Being a Virgin customer, I would recommend this as SOP. The "Super"Hub2 was a dreadful piece of kit, which as supplied would have broken our home network. That said, regardless of ISP, I would advise it. I know most ISP routers can be updated over the internet from their end, which is just Another Thing That Can Go Wrong.

How does using a separate router as a bridge work? I'm imagining that this is using the separate router as the device everyone connects to, with this router connecting to the cable supplied one? IE, no-one actually connecting to the cable router?

I've not had to do something like that before, but I'm guessing it isn't hard to do? I'm not normally deficient in working ou techy stuff, it's DP who has issues there

RaspberryOverloadsOnIcepops If you only use Wi-Fi devices then you can just plug any router into the combined modem/router.

You can also use two routers as an alternative to Powerline adaptors, although this is more complicated and only works with some routers.

Whos your provider? Vodafone offer a service which you can control from your phone. It shows you all of the devices that are using wifi. You can turn the internet on and off for any device at all you can also put restrictions on individual devices for adult content and you can block internet completely on any device. You dont have to change a wifi password. Its so handy!

If you are totally incompetent and really struggling you could always take it to your local Computer repair shop and they could visually talk you through it.

What router model do you have?