Joe Franell, President

Blue Mountain Networks

When you bring home a new device—whether it’s a Wi-Fi router, baby monitor, or smart doorbell—it comes with a preset password that everyone knows. This is just like leaving your house key under the doormat where anyone can find it!

Why This Matters for Your Family:

• These default passwords are available for anyone to find online
• They’re the very first passwords strangers try when attempting to access devices
• Many of the smart gadgets around your home are at risk if left unchanged

Within minutes of connecting these devices to the internet, strangers may try to access them using these common default passwords. Research shows that taking five minutes to check all your family’s devices and change any factory passwords can prevent most unauthorized access attempts.

How to Find and Change Default Passwords

Most devices follow similar patterns for accessing settings:

• Wi-Fi Routers: Look for a sticker on the device showing the default login information. Type the IP address (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) into your web browser to access settings.
• Smart Home Devices: Open the companion app on your phone, look for “Settings” or “Device Settings,” then “Password” or “Security.”
• Baby Monitors and Security Cameras: Check the instruction manual for the default access method, which usually involves the device’s companion app or a web portal.

When creating new passwords, remember that longer is stronger. A simple phrase you’ll remember is better than a short, complex password you’ll forget. For example, “BlueM0untainSunset!” is both memorable and secure.

Simple Tip for Busy Families

Mark your calendar or set a reminder on your phone to change passwords immediately when setting up new devices. This simple step is like properly locking your front door each night—it keeps unwanted visitors from accessing your family’s digital home.

Having reliable internet service connects your family to the world, but taking this small step helps ensure your finances, personal data, photos, messages, and vital information stay private and protected.

Family Activity: Birthdays are Password Reset Day

Turn this important security task into a family project! Set aside 30 minutes this weekend for a “Password Reset Day” where everyone helps identify devices that need password updates. Younger kids can be “password detectives” looking for devices, while older family members help change the settings. Reward yourselves with a special treat when you’ve secured all your devices!

Community Corner: What strategies do you use to create and remember new passwords? Share your ideas on our Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/bluemountainnet

Here at Blue Mountain, we believe that affordable fiber internet and phone service should be accessible to absolutely everyone. In our increasingly modern world, the importance of reliable and dependable fiber internet connections and advanced phone services are a vital necessity in the daily lives of our communities.