Short answer: yes, if your router supports it. Put visitors on a guest network, and if your router can run another separate network, put smart home devices on it. Keep your computers and phones on the main network. Then a weak device can’t reach the things you care about most.

Why separate your devices

Smart home devices are often the weakest link. A NIST cybersecurity researcher puts it simply: consider a separate network for smart home devices, so the computer holding your financial documents isn’t on the same network as a smart doorbell that might be more easily compromised. The same guidance recommends a strong router password, automatic updates, and replacing or retiring devices that no longer get updates.

Guest networks for visitors

A guest network gives visitors internet access without access to your printers, computers or smart devices. It also lets you share a password you don’t mind changing. It can even help with security settings: the Wi-Fi Alliance notes you can run your main network on WPA3-only while the guest network stays in WPA2/WPA3 transition mode for visitors’ older phones. See WPA2 vs WPA3.

A network for smart devices

Many routers let you create a second or third network for smart devices. Some call it an IoT network; on others you use the guest network for it. Watch for two practical issues:

  • Many smart devices only use 2.4 GHz. TP-Link says, for example, that most of its Tapo cameras support only 2.4 GHz. Make sure the network you put them on has 2.4 GHz turned on.
  • Some apps need to find devices on the same network. Casting a video or controlling a speaker may stop working if your phone and the device are on different networks. Test after moving each device.

If you use access points or a second router in AP mode, set the guest network up on the main router. NETGEAR, for example, lists the guest network among the features unavailable in AP mode.

These settings are usually under Wireless or Guest Network once you’ve logged in to your router. For everything else, see our router security checklist.