While you can prevent unauthorized access to Router by using a strong Password, you can add yet another layer of security by manually changing the IP Address of the Router.
You may want to do this, because manufacturers assign a common IP Address to their Routers and make this information openly available in the Router Manual and also on their websites.
When you change the IP Address of Router, anyone trying to gain access to your network will be required to guess its IP address, in addition to its Password.
Change Router IP Address
In order to change the IP Address of Router, the first step is to find the default IP Address of the Router by going to the User Manual that came with the Router or from the manufacturers website.
If IP Address of Router was changed by your Internet Service Provider, you can find its current IP Address by using steps as provided in this guide: How to Find IP Address of Router on PC & Mac .
Steps to Change IP Address of Router
Once you know the default or the current IP Address of Router, you can follow the steps below to change the IP Address of your Router.
1. Open Google Chrome or any other web browser on your computer.
2. Enter the default or current IP address of the Router in the search bar and press the enter key.
3. On the next screen, enter your Username and Password to log into Router Settings.
4. From the next screen, navigate to Basic > LAN Setup > and change only the Last two numbers of the IP address in LAN IP Address field.
Note: In these last two fields, you can use any number between 1 and 254.
Caution: Restrict IP Address change only to the third and fourth fields (ex: 192.168.11.xxx). Making changes to first and second fields can lead to network conflicts while connecting with your main network.
4. Click on Save Changes and note down the New IP Address of your Router and restart the Router.
After changing Router IP Address, you may find your computer and phone not connecting to Internet. This can be easily fixed by restarting your devices and allowing them to re-establish connection with the Router.
Tip: You can confirm Router IP Address change by trying to Login to the Router using the New Router IP Address.