Home Network Checkup Checklist

Start with a simple device inventory

Write down the devices you use at home, including those connected by cable. Include the router, computers, phones, TVs, cameras, smart speakers, game systems and other connected products. For each one, note its model if known, its room, what it does and who handles updates.

This is a planning tool, not a security test or risk score. Keep your worksheet for your own use. Do not enter passwords, recovery codes or private configuration details in an inquiry form.

Find the router’s identity

Write down its manufacturer and model. If your internet provider supplied it, ask who maintains it. Use the maker’s official support page or your provider’s help channel.

Check how updates are handled

Look for the latest supported firmware and the update process for your exact model. Ask the provider about automatic updates on rented equipment. Do not install files from an unfamiliar site.

Review Wi-Fi and guest access

Check for WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal encryption. Ask whether a separate guest network is available and how it limits access to your household devices.

Match the device list to your home

Use the router’s connected-device list and your own inventory. A label you do not recognize is a question to investigate, not proof of an intruder. Note devices you no longer use.

Review device and account protection

Check that connected devices and their apps receive updates. Use distinct passwords and turn on two-factor authentication where offered. Keep passwords and recovery codes off your worksheet.

Ask before changing a shared setup

If someone manages the network, coordinate changes with them. For employer-owned equipment, follow your employer’s instructions. Leave advanced settings alone until you understand their effect.

You do not need to change settings to complete this checklist. Unknown answers are useful questions for the person who maintains your network.

Questions to bring to a professional

Use your inventory to make the conversation specific to your household. Ask for clear explanations before agreeing to changes or a service plan.

• What equipment do I have, and which devices still receive manufacturer support?
• Which changes matter first, and what problem would each one address?
• Would any hardware be installed or replaced, and who would own it?
• How would guest, smart-home and work devices connect? What would still need to communicate?
• What is included in setup and ongoing care? Who handles alerts, updates and support?
• What can the service see, what information is kept, and who can access it?
• What are the assessment fee, installation cost, monthly terms and cancellation process?

Sources

• FTC: How To Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network
• FTC: Securing Your Internet-Connected Devices at Home