How to Log in to Your NETGEAR Router

That "fun" new Wi-Fi router you just unpacked is your gateway to the wonders of the internet. But before you can start browsing at lightning-fast speeds or yelling at your kids to get off YouTube, you‘ll need to log in and configure your NETGEAR router‘s settings.

Accessing your router‘s admin dashboard is the first step in customizing and securing your home network. As cybersecurity firm ESET revealed in their 2022 survey, over 40% of households now contain a wireless router connected to the internet. With smart home devices like webcams, thermostats, and voice assistants becoming more prevalent, it‘s crucial to lock down your router‘s controls.

Sophisticated botnets like Mozi and Gafgyt specifically target routers with default or weak login credentials to build massive networks for DDoS attacks. Research from F-Secure found these notorious IoT botnets infected over 300,000 routers globally in 2021 alone.

By learning how to properly log in and configure your NETGEAR router, you can avoid becoming a victim of these cyber threats. Let‘s get started!

Accessing Your Router Login Page

Before you can begin tweaking settings, you‘ll need to access your router‘s admin console. There are a couple ways to do this:

Via Web Browser

Navigating to your router‘s IP address through any web browser is the most direct method. When setting up your NETGEAR router initially, you likely followed the quick start guide and accessed the login page by going to www.routerlogin.net in Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.

However, if your router‘s IP address was changed or routerlogin.net is not working, you can also try:

• http://192.168.1.1
• http://192.168.0.1
• http://192.168.2.1

These are all common default IPs used by NETGEAR. Type the address into your browser‘s URL bar and hit enter to pull up the admin login screen.

NETGEAR Nighthawk App

The Nighthawk app provides another way to access your router dashboard from iOS and Android mobile devices. After downloading the app and creating a NETGEAR account, you can easily view router status, run speed tests, configure admin settings, and more.

Logging in through the app can be convenient for monitoring your home network remotely. However, keep in mind that if your phone is compromised by malware or stolen, this could potentially allow an attacker access to your router controls. For maximum security, physically connecting to the router via Ethernet cable is recommended for initial setup.

Logging In to Your Router

Once you have the router login page open in your browser, you‘ll need to enter the correct username and password.

The default credentials are:

• Username: admin
• Password: password

These default credentials can easily be found printed on the bottom of your router. While they‘re handy for initial setup, it‘s crucial you take a minute to change the admin password after logging in to prevent unauthorized access.

Research from CyberNews uncovered the most common router passwords deployed worldwide:

1. admin
2. password
3. 12345
4. 123456
5. 1234

Using any of these predictable passcodes or simple number patterns leaves your router highly vulnerable to intrusion. Cybercriminals routinely perform brute force attacks trying common password lists against routers.

Instead, generate a strong randomized password using a password manager like LastPass or 1Password. Enabling two-factor authentication adds another layer of security by requiring you to enter a code from your smartphone when logging in.

Finding Your Router‘s IP Address

If the default 192.168.1.1 IP isn‘t working, you‘ll need to find the specific IP address assigned to your router.

Your router‘s IP can easily be discovered through Windows, MacOS, or the router web utility:

On Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt
2. Type ipconfig and press enter
3. Look for "Default Gateway" – this is your router‘s IP

On Mac:

1. Go to System Preferences > Network
2. Click your Wi-Fi connection
3. Find "Router" under your network status

Router Web Utility:

1. Visit http://www.routerlogin.net
2. The site will detect your IP and display it

Using the router web utility simplifies finding your IP address quickly without having to dig into your network settings. However, some security experts argue this method potentially exposes your IP publicly. For maximum privacy, using the OS-level tools may be preferable for IP discovery.

Once you have your router‘s current IP address, plug it directly into your browser URL bar to access the login page.

Key Router Settings to Secure

After entering your admin credentials, you‘ll be presented with your router dashboard. The layout and options vary across NETGEAR‘s Nighthawk, Orbi, and other models. But here are some key settings you should configure for every router:

Change Default Router Login Password

As emphasized earlier, keeping the default "password" login is extremely dangerous.

To change it:

1. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Set Password
2. Enter your old password, new password, and confirm
3. Click Apply

Enable password recovery questions in case you ever forget your new admin credentials.

Update Your Wi-Fi Network Name and Password

Like your router login, keeping the default Wi-Fi network name and password leaves your wireless vulnerable.

To customize these:

1. Go to BASIC > Wireless
2. Enter your new network name (SSID)
3. Change the wireless password

Changing these will disconnect all devices, so be sure to reconnect them to the new wireless network after.

Tweak Your Firewall Settings

Your router firewall prevents cyber attacks by blocking unauthorized inbound connections to your network.

Under ADVANCED > Security > Firewall, make sure the firewall is enabled. You can also tweak allowed services and restrictions as needed.

Set Up a Guest Network

Creating a separate guest network with its own SSID and password allows visitors to access Wi-Fi without giving them access to your private network and devices.

To configure a guest network:

1. Go to BASIC > Wireless
2. Scroll down and enable guest network
3. Set guest network name, security, and password

With your router locked down securely, you can dive in to all the fun Wi-Fi activities. Before getting started, check out our top tips on how to boost your NETGEAR router‘s speed and range. Happy surfing!