Why Wi-Fi security matters

If shop Wi-Fi is weak, bad actors can try to reach your POS, cameras, or staff laptops. That can cause card-data trouble, slow checkout, or downtime. Good Wi-Fi security is simple and keeps you safe.

Quick wins (start here)

1. Make 3 Wi-Fi networks: Guest, Staff, and POS/Payment.
2. Use strong passwords. Change the Guest password monthly.
3. Turn off WPS (the one-button connect). It’s risky.
4. Update your gear (access points and router). Updates fix holes.
5. Guest isolation: guests should not see other guests or your devices.
6. Content filter guest Wi-Fi to block risky sites.
7. Back up your Wi-Fi and router settings.

Simple store design

1) Keep things separate

• POS/Payment Wi-Fi: only registers and card readers.
• Staff Wi-Fi: laptops, tablets, label printers.
• Guest Wi-Fi: internet only — no access to business devices.

2) Easy sign-in

• Guest Wi-Fi: short code or simple splash page. Change often.
• Staff Wi-Fi: strong passphrase. For bigger teams, per-person sign-in (we can set this up).

3) Better coverage, less noise

• Place access points high and central. Avoid metal racks and microwaves.
• Use 5 GHz/6 GHz for staff if available; keep 2.4 GHz for older devices.

4) Keep “smart” devices safe

• Put cameras/TVs on their own Wi-Fi name (simple IoT network) with internet-only access.

Protect payments (PCI-friendly)

• Keep POS/Payment on its own Wi-Fi name.
• Allow only what the payment devices need to reach the payment service.
• Update POS software and follow your payment vendor’s guidance.
• Save basic logs and review monthly (we can automate this).

Your router/firewall

• Block outside access by default. Open nothing unless needed.
• Turn on simple traffic shaping so big downloads don’t break calls or POS.
• Use DNS filtering to stop known bad sites.

We often use pfSense for shops. It’s powerful and budget-friendly, and we manage it for you.

10-minute checklist

1. Change default admin passwords on your Wi-Fi and router.
2. Turn off WPS and UPnP.
3. Create a Guest Wi-Fi that cannot see your other devices.
4. Shorten Guest lease time (e.g., 2 hours) and limit Guest speed.
5. Update firmware on Wi-Fi and router.