Check WI-FI Password Strength with Avast

TL;DR

Yes, Avast can check your WI-FI password strength using its Network Security Scanner. Here’s how to do it.

How to Check Your WI-FI Password Strength with Avast

1. Open Avast: Double-click the Avast icon on your desktop or find it in your Start menu and open the application.
2. Navigate to Protection: In the main Avast window, click on the ‘Protection’ tab.
3. Select Network Security: Within the Protection tab, choose ‘Network Security’. If you don’t see this option directly, look for a ‘More Scans’ or similar button and find it there.
4. Run WI-FI Scanner: Click on ‘Scan Networks’. Avast will start scanning your connected networks (usually just your home WI-FI).
5. View Results: After the scan, Avast will display a report showing the security status of your network(s). It will specifically highlight if your password is weak or compromised.
6. Change Your Password (If Needed): If Avast flags your WI-FI password as insecure:
   • Access your router’s settings. This usually involves typing your router’s IP address into a web browser (e.g., 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Check the bottom of your router for this information, or consult your router’s manual.
   • Log in to your router using its username and password (often ‘admin’ and ‘password’ by default – change these if you haven’t already!).
   • Find the WI-FI settings section (usually under Wireless or Security).
   • Change the password to a strong, unique one. A good password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
   • Save your changes. Your devices will need to reconnect using the new password.

Important Notes

• Router Access: You *must* have access to your router’s settings to change the WI-FI password. Avast can only tell you if it’s weak, not change it for you.
• Default Credentials: If you haven’t changed the default username and password on your router, do so immediately! This is a major cyber security risk.
• WPA3: If your router supports WPA3 encryption, enable it for stronger security. Avast will likely indicate this in its scan results.