Did you realize that hackers may find your outdated Wi-Fi router to be a gold mine? If you don’t delete your personal information from it before getting rid of it, you could leave yourself up to a variety of issues, such as fraud, identity theft, and cyberattacks.
Since we hardly ever change settings once a Wi-Fi network is established, many users may not know how to properly clean and reset it. For this reason, before you throw away your outdated router forever, we have prepared some simple procedures for you to follow.
Exactly what occurs when you reset your Wi-Fi router?
Restoring your Wi-Fi router to its factory settings before disposal implies erasing any configuration modifications you may have made. This contains information that criminals consider useful, such as your login and password, Wi-Fi preferences, and others. Before throwing away your Wi-Fi router, it’s crucial to reset it since, if you don’t, someone might obtain your personal information by just looking at the router’s memory.
The operating system, configuration files, passwords, and internet history of a router can all be kept in its memory, along with other sorts of data. A hacker might access your network, devices, or online accounts using some of this sensitive and personal information.
Restarting vs. resetting your Wi-Fi router
Both restarting and resetting your router are options. When you restart your router, it just turns on and off again; no settings are changed. This can help to resolve Wi-Fi difficulties like slow speed or sluggish performance by cleansing its memory and renewing its connection.
However, before you toss your router, you need reset it. This method is more challenging and time-consuming. Your router will be reset to its factory default settings, erasing any configuration changes you may have made.
This includes any router settings you may have configured, such as port forwarding, firewall, parental controls, and guest network, as well as your username and password, Wi-Fi network name and password, security settings, and other information.
You will need to start your network setup over once you reset your Wi-Fi router.
What are the dangers of not resetting my Wi-Fi router?
If you don’t reset your router, hackers may discover your identity and the particular network configurations you use, which you should keep private.
This might give the hacker complete access to your personal data, including your name, password, and login information, which they could then use for malevolent ends like selling it on the dark web, holding it for ransom, or doing anything else to give you computer trouble.
You wouldn’t want a hacker to get access to any of your private devices, like your laptop or phone, therefore the same principle should apply to your network.
Before getting rid of your old router, do these steps:
- Backup your passwords and settings. They could be necessary for your new router or for problem-solving.
- Disconnect or Remove your router’s power and internet connections.
- Reset and Restore the factory defaults on your router. This will clear the router’s memory of all of your personal information and settings.
- Remove stickers or labels Your network name, password, or serial number may be found on any stickers or labels; remove them.
- Recycle your router’s responsibility or donate it. For advice on how to properly dispose of electronic trash, consult your local authorities or groups. You may donate or recycle at no cost through the programs offered by a lot of electronic retailers and other organizations. There is a list of donation and recycling programs provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. You may possibly take into account using Declutter, which is among the simplest and quickest approaches to sell old technology.
How can my wi-fi router be reset?
Note: Please take note that depending on the router model you own, these steps may change. For further information, consult the user manual for your router or an online support document.Simply enter the make and model of your router into Google and the phrase “reset.”
This is how a standard router reset functions:
- Ensure that your router is powered on and connected in.
- Locate the reset button
- Put a paperclip in the hole if you are instructed to push the button for at least 15 seconds.
- Wait for your router to restart once you have released the button
Wait for your router Before you dispose of your old wi-fi router, take the following actions.
TECINFORMER’s key takeaways
Before getting rid of your router, it must be reset. You may do this to safeguard your personal information and stop hackers from breaking into your network and devices.
The good news is that resetting your router just requires a few minutes of your time and is quick and uncomplicated. Additionally, it might help you avoid a lot of future problems.
Remember to disconnect your router, reset it to factory settings, take off any identifying markings, backup your settings and passwords, discard or donate the device, and recycle it. Have you ever had any security worries with regard to your technological devices? Write to us at and let us know.
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