A router is the piece of hardware in your home that makes Wi-Fi possible. Being able to change the settings on your router, and therefore the security, name, and accessibility of your Wi-Fi, is essential for your safety and convenience. The first step is to log in to your router.

The router can be a standalone device, or your modem can double as a router. If you’re not sure which piece of hardware is your router, start with the cable line that comes into your house. This ends at your modem or cable box. From the modem, follow the cables that plug into the back. If nothing is plugged in, your modem is also your router. If the cables are going to other devices that you know for sure aren’t routers, your modem is also your router. If the cables are going to a piece of hardware that you don’t recognize, Google the name of the hardware — chances are it’s your router.

Even though your router is a physical piece of hardware that is physically located near you, you can access it only when it is online, so you will need your computer or phone or other internet-enabled device to log in. The good news is that the process for logging in is the same whether it is a modem/router combo or just a router, and it does not matter whether you own the router or rent it from your ISP.

You access your router by going to a specific address (IP) online that you type into your browser. It’s a series of numbers, rather than a domain name like Google.com. Now, most routers use the same IP – 192.168. 1.1. It’s worth jumping ahead and seeing if that IP address works, but if it doesn’t, here’s how to find your IP.