How To Keep Your Maxview Roam WiFi Secure

Whether you’re planning a route, researching the local area, or catching up with family back home, you use the internet all the time — even when you’re on holiday in your caravan or motorhome.

But when you’re away, it’s easy to get lax when it comes to keeping your motorhome and caravan internet secure. Maybe you don’t think anything of giving your neighbours your WiFi password, or you’re not sure which security features you should have set up. But WiFi security is really important, no matter where you are. In this article, you’ll learn why it’s important to secure your caravan WiFi connection, and 5 ways to protect your network.

Why is Caravan and Motorhome WiFi security important?

• Hacking is getting more sophisticated — hackers are always finding new ways to infiltrate your network, so you need up-to-date protection at all times.
• Unsecured networks are easy targets — it’s much easier to access a network with no or low security, so you’ll be an easier target for hackers.
• Protect your privacy — if someone accesses your network without authorisation, they may be able to access your private information and data.
• Keep the network safe for children — ensure your kids can stream films and play games in your caravan without putting their safety at risk.
• Prevent fraud — unauthorised WiFi users can steal money or data using your details, putting you at risk of fraud and identity theft.

6 ways to keep your caravan WiFi router secure

When you’re setting up your Maxview Roam (or any other caravan WiFi router), here are 6 steps you can take to keep your internet connection secure.

1. Change your WiFi password

Each router comes with a preset name and password. To make sure nobody can guess these, or steal them off the side of the router, make sure you change your router name and password.

Your new password should be:

• Long — try to aim for at least 12-15 characters, but the longer the better
• Complex — don’t use easy-to-guess words or phrases, and use numbers and symbols if possible
• Unique — don’t reuse passwords across multiple websites or devices.

Avoid using easy-to-remember words or figures like your name or birthday. If hackers already have this information, they’ll find it much easier to crack your passwords and access your network.

2. Disable features that compromise security

Certain WiFi features offer better user experience at the expense of keeping your caravan WiFi secure. These include:

• Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
• WiFi Protected Setup (WPS)
• Remote access.

If possible, avoid using these features. They make it much easier for intruders to access your network. If you need assistance setting up your Maxview Roam manually, ask a member of our team for support.

Remote access can be very useful in a caravan, as it allows you to access your caravan CCTV remotely. This can, in turn, enhance your security. So make sure you calculate the risks you’re taking, and decide which is most important for you.

3. Use a VPN

Using a virtual private network (VPN) is a great way to keep your internet activity private and protect your network. VPNs spoof your location, helping you stay anonymous when browsing online.

Many VPNs are easy to set up, but you may need to know how to adjust the settings to access certain websites and services. Find out everything you need to know about adding a VPN to your motorhome WiFi.

4. Use WPA3 encryption

Most routers use WPA2 network encryption as standard. This offers a high level of protection, and is the most widely used encryption level. However, WPA2 was first used back in 2004, and a newer, more secure version — WPA3 — is now being introduced.

If you want to upgrade the security of your router you can go to our Maxview Roam FAQ page and go to the section: “My phone displays ‘weak security’ under the network name”.

5. Use a 5GHz WiFi connection

The Roam X and 5G systems allow you to choose a 2.4GHz or 5GHz WiFi connection. The key differences between the two are speed and range. 2.4GHz gives you greater range but lower speeds. 5GHz gives you better speeds, but less range.

In a caravan, it’s unlikely you’ll need the range offered by a 2.4GHz connection. Using the 5GHz connection is also more secure, as it’s more difficult for these waves to penetrate through external walls. So any potential hackers lurking nearby are less likely to be able to connect to your network.

Unfortunately this choice is not available on the Roam.

6. Don’t give out your WiFi password

If you know and trust your caravan neighbours, you may be happy for them to use your caravan WiFi. But we’d still recommend exercising caution when you distribute your WiFi password.

When someone else knows your password, there’s no way of stopping them from sharing it with other people (whether intentionally or through a data leak or hack).

If you want to allow access to someone else’s device, enter the WiFi password yourself. Don’t leave it written down on a scrap of paper that’s easy to find. Using a password manager can help you store all your passwords securely, without having to remember them.

Learn more about setting up WiFi in your caravan or motorhome

If you haven’t got a secure, reliable way to get online in your caravan in 2023, it’s time to find a solution. Learn everything you need to know about WiFi for campervans and motorhomes, then use our WiFi system selector to find the right router for your needs.