[Digerati]

Assuming you are not changing out your modem, this "should" be simple. Just remove the current routers and insert the new router, connecting it to the modem, and all the computers directly to the new router. Then power up the new router. It "should" automatically connect fine with the modem. And you may have to reboot your connected computers so they get assigned their IPs.

For any wireless devices, you, of course, will need to rename the SSID and set the passphrase(s) in the Nighthawk's admin menu. But your wireless devices "should" automatically connect. If they don't, you may have to go through the connection process for each device again. But in those cases, it "should" be a one-and-done task.

I know I said "should" a lot, but that is how it "should" work. Sadly, "in theory" and real world don't always jive. But in networking issues like this, a simple reboot "should" fix it.

Good luck.

 

[Digerati]

Needless to say, I had to go through the time-consuming connection process in all 4 desktops for all 3 printers.

That would be a pain. I am assuming the new network gear assigned different IP addresses to the printers.

 

[Digerati]

So how would I get to the router's setup page and what do I need to
change once I am in the routers setup page. Of course one thing I will
need to change is the default password.

Did you read the manual? It will tell you how to access the admin menu, including the default username and password. For most Netgear routers, the default username for admin is admin and the default password is password. The manual will also tell you the default IP address, which usually is 192.168.1.1.

 

[Digerati]

It tells you. Look for a label on the device.

I will add this. When I recently upgraded my modem to a DOCSIS3.1, everything "appeared" to work perfectly, but the on-line connection light kept flashing - it would not go solid and I had no Internet access. I rebooted, reset, swapped cables, tried this and tried that.

I was dreading the thought but I was even considering calling my ISP tech support. Then I did something really silly. I read the QuickStart guide and noticed, in bold text no less, the following,

Power up your cable modem.
Wait for the online connection light to stop
flashing and remain solidly lit. This may take up to 15
minutes.

Then I looked up, and sure enough, I had a solid LED. Clicked on my browser icon and there was the Internet. I just needed a little patience.

 

[Digerati]

Great! I am glad you got it going.

The only thing you need to change is the router's admin password and the wifi passphrase. Some routers let you also change the admin's user name, that's up to you.

I always assign a "Reserved" IP address to my networked printers and network storage devices so those devices always get the same IP address. This prevents IP shifting where, for example, the printer's IP address gets assigned to a different device after a long power outage.

 

[Digerati]

You can certainly use access control to setup MAC address filtering. I used to do this years ago but no longer. It just is not very effective like it used to be.

If someone is going to stand on your sidewalk, or sit in a parked car in front of your house, odds are they will be noticed. And, unless you give it away, or use your dog's name, what are the odds a stranger is going to know your passphrase? And if you use a strong passphrase (I recommend at least 12 characters, upper and lower case letters, numerals and special characters), what are the odds they are going to guess it, or even crack it?

Plus - and this is the main reason I stopped using MAC address filtering, it is simple to "spoof" a MAC address. In fact, it is so simple, many modems require a specific MAC address. For this reason. most routers even provide the option to change the "apparent" MAC address of the router so the modem will accept data from it!

Yes, if you live in an apartment complex, someone in an adjacent apartment will be able to see your network. This is why you don't use your dog or kid's name for your passphrase.

I used to disable SSID broadcasting too. It was never an effective security measure anyway. And some wireless devices need to see it when setting up initial access. So I just recommend naming the SSID to something that does NOT identify you personally. That is, don't use a family name, street number, birthday, etc. Any nosy whizkid will still be able to see your network, they just won't know it is yours.

Of course if you live out in the boonies and are the only house around, then likely your wireless network will be the only one that shows up anyway.

Now what you can easily do is tell the router to limit the number of connections to a specific range of IP addresses and/or specific IP addresses. My Nighthawk does this on the LAN Setup page under "Use Router as DHCP Server". There I can assign the starting IP and ending IP. So, for example, if I say the starting is 192.168.1.41 and the ending is 192.168.1.50, then the router will only let a maximum of 10 devices connect at once and it will only connect devices using one of those IP addresses.

If you do this, remember that smart TVs, streaming devices, tablets, your smart phones, smart thermostats, security cameras, and lightbulbs may need to be included in that count too.

I also disable (don't enable) the Guest Network.

Last, every router I have used lets you see the attached devices (Ethernet and wireless). Periodically check this and verify only devices you have authorized are attached.

Disabling UPnP may cause major headaches when trying to connect some devices. Many leave it enable until all their connected devices (including networked printer and network storage devices) are working properly, then they disable UPnP again. Many just leave it enable with no ill effects.

If leave it enabled, make sure your connected computers are fully updated and secured with a decent and updated security solution and you avoid being "click-happy" on unsolicited link - the EXACT SAME advice should you disable UPnP.

 

[Digerati]

There are ways a network password get leaked. 1) You have a keylogger infection. 2) Your children give it away to visiting friends. 3) Some visitor peeked over your shoulder as you type it.

LOL Those are pretty extreme exceptions. Keyloggers - particularly in the home environment, are very rare to start, and someone either needs to have physical access to the computer to install them, or they have already compromised your network AND your computer. In either case, you have bigger security issues to deal with.

If you give kids the passphrase to your primary wifi network (not the guest network), shame on you for being so lax in your own security. And if you type in your passphrase with a visitor standing over your shoulder, double shame on you.

This is just FUD.

How can you tell if you have a keylogger infection?

@muckmail - don't let the paranoid make you paranoid. Any decent (and fully updated) anti-malware solution will detect and block installation of keyloggers, just as they do other malware AS LONG AS you keep your OS and security updated, and you are not "click-happy" on every unsolicited link, download, popup and attachment you see.

If you regularly take your computer to public places and connect to public hotspots, leave it unlocked and unattended as you go to the bathroom or get a coffee refill, and you don't keep it updated, then you need better protection - and a guardian angel on each shoulder, and multiple backups of your data.

But, if your computer stays in your home, you do not have a bunch of strangers running in and out, you keep your system (and security) current, and you take care about what you click on, there is no need to worry about keyloggers.

Smart Connect is fine, safe and secure. It makes using various "authorized" wireless devices on your multi-band network (if you have one) easier.

HOWEVER, with some routers, it has been known to degrade network performance for the connected devices. So, simply try it and see. If you have both 2.4GHz and 5GHz "mobile" devices that you use while moving around the house (laptops, tablets, and cell phones, for example), Smart Connect can make life easier. If all your mobile/wireless devices stay in one place, Smart Connect may not offer any advantages for you.

 

[Digerati]

Applying extra configuration steps when there is zero benefit from the use of it other than getting a warm fuzzy is not something I would recommend to anyone. Let alone someone that has limited tech skills to have to troubleshoot or reconfigure their network if there are any changes.

I agree - not to mention adding unnecessary layers is wasting system resources (CPU cycles, RAM, and disk space).