The Smarter, Safer Way to Share Your Wi-Fi Password in 2026

Imagine this: You’re hosting friends or prospective clients at dinner. Your guests need the Wi-Fi password, so you pass around a Post-it note or fire off a quick text.  

But what if that simple act opens the door to attackers joining your network? Today, casual Wi-Fi password sharing is a major security risk for both families and businesses.  

When it comes to sharing your Wi-Fi password securely, your best bet in 2026 is using safe options like LastPass, sharing directly from your phone with QR codes, or even setting up a guest Wi-Fi network (to avoid exposing your primary Wi-Fi password).  

What are the risks of insecure Wi-Fi password sharing? 

Insecure Wi-Fi password sharing exposes you to account takeovers, financial theft, and identity fraud.  

Right now, as you read this sentence, 300 million stolen credentials are circulating on Dark Web markets. 

And in 2025 alone, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) logged over 5,100 complaints involving $262 million in losses from account takeover (ATO) fraud. 

Since 94% of stolen credentials are reused, you’re at greater risk than you may realize. If you recycle passwords, attackers only need to crack one password to access all your accounts. 

This means your email, banking, shopping, and business accounts. Your. Entire. Life.  

Account takeovers 

Let’s face it: We all love free Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, so do attackers. 

They flock to free Wi-Fi networks because: 

• Everyone gets the same password. And, many hotels still print their Wi-Fi password on room key sleeves, which means anyone can join the network. 

• Most “open” hotspots don’t protect your data in transit. 

• Off-the-shelf tools make it easy for even low-skilled attackers to set up evil twin networks, intercept your passwords, and hijack your accounts. 

In 2024, consumer losses from ATO fraud reached an eye-watering $15.6 billion. The average loss was $180, but some victims lost up to $85,000 before they even knew what hit them. 

If you’re an entrepreneur, the numbers are even more alarming. The average cost of an ATO attack for a small business is now more than $50,000. In 2023, a Florida small business owner lost nearly $150,000.  

In all, merchants are expected to lose a whopping $91 billion to ATO attacks by 2028.  

And that’s not all: The damage from chargebacks, lost consumer confidence, compliance penalties, and increased customer support costs can cripple your business.  

Financial theft 

But here’s where it gets truly devastating. Attackers aren’t just after your checking accounts; they’re increasingly targeting health savings accounts (HSA). 

There are now 38 million HSA accounts in the United States, holding a combined $137 billion in funds.  

If you have an HSA, it’s your medical nest egg, likely consisting of tens of thousands of dollars earmarked for your retirement healthcare costs. 

Which makes them irresistible to thieves. 

With your stolen password, attackers can drain your HSA account through fraudulent fund transfers or card transactions. By the time you notice - if you aren’t in the habit of monitoring your HSA as often as your checking account – the money is gone.  

Identity fraud 

To make matters worse, traditional identity theft has now been replaced with synthetic fraud. 

In general, there are two types of synthetic fraud: 

• A manipulated identity, when someone combines their real identity with several altered personal details. For example, they use their real name and birth date with a different SSN. The purpose? To hide their poor credit history and qualify for a loan.  

• A manufactured identity also known as a Frankenstein ID, when an attacker combines a false name, birth date, and address with a stolen SSN to create an entirely new identity that doesn’t exist. 

A manufactured identity looks legitimate, allowing the thief to build credit over time (the average build-up time is about 18 months).  

During this time, they take out small loans, make timely payments, and establish good credit histories. 

Then, they’ll execute a “bust out.” This is where they max out credit limits, buy high-priced items, and take out jumbo loans - before disappearing altogether.  

And here’s the scary part: The average synthetic identity fraud profile successfully steals between $81,000 and $97,000. 

Do you know what account takeovers, financial theft, and identity fraud have in common? They all start with a compromised password.  

And how do attackers get access to it? 

When you share your Wi-Fi password via text, chat, or over the phone. Every casual, “convenient password share” is a time bomb.  

When someone has your Wi-Fi password, they can connect to your network from anywhere and use free apps like Fing to scan for connected devices and common ports (like Port 445). 

If your computer has SMB file sharing enabled, Fing will flag Port 445 as open.  

Seeing Port 445 open, attackers can switch to other tools to browse and find files with your saved credentials.  

The good news is: You can protect yourself without sacrificing convenience. 

Attackers aren’t the only ones who can use Fing. You can, too.  

First, use Fing’s free scan to detect intruders and open ports, then use Fing Premium to block unauthorized users permanently from your Wi-Fi.  

Pair this with a password manager to protect your credentials, and you’ll be way ahead of nearly 80% of people worldwide who still reuse passwords (and share them insecurely). 

What is the safest way to share a Wi-Fi password? 

I’m going to cut to the chase: The safest way to share a Wi-Fi password is using a G2-leading password manager like LastPass.  

For Winter 2026, LastPass once again leads as G2’s #1 password manager with 70 badges across seven (7) categories.  

According to SQ Magazine, LastPass is currently the world’s leading provider of credential and authentication security, holding 23.3% of the global password management market. 

CNET-trusted and a 2025 gold Globee Award winner - for its top-tier SaaS monitoring capabilities - LastPass is your first-line shield against Wi-Fi credential theft and identity fraud.  

Why is LastPass the safest way to share your Wi-Fi password? 

LastPass is the safest way to share your Wi-Fi password because of its robust security architecture, Zero Knowledge encryption, and seamless integration across various platforms.  

As mentioned, traditional password sharing methods put you at risk: 

• When you text a password, it travels unencrypted through multiple networks.  

• When you email it, it sits in plain text on multiple servers during transit and storage. 

• When you share it over the phone, anyone who overhears it can access your Wi-Fi.  

• And when you write it down, anyone who sees it can steal it. 

With LastPass, password sharing is encrypted. The person who receives your password gets access through their secure, encrypted vault.  

You can also share passwords without a user ever being able to see the password in its plain text form. 

Best of all, you can revoke access instantly – and then update your password - making the shared password immediately useless to previously approved users.  

Tips on sharing Wi-Fi passwords securely   

#1 Start by creating strong, unique passwords 

This is your foundation.  

You can quickly and easily create strong passwords that meet NIST’s newest guidelines with the LastPass generator. 

Instead of @password123 (which looks strong but isn’t), you can create 16-character complex passwords without breaking a sweat.  

You can also try creating a passphrase, like Purple@Hippotamus!Cactus#Eggplant%7658. It’s long, memorable, unique - and also resistant against brute force and dictionary attacks. 

#2 Layer on advanced multi-factor authentication 

MFA is your second lock. It provides an extra hurdle for attackers to overcome. But not all MFA is created equal. 

SMS-based MFA? LastPass Director of Information Security Alex Cox bluntly states:  

“...as both an individual as well as an organization, [you] should be looking to move away from SMS as a communication and authentication method and moving to a more secure and resilient method.”

In 2025, SIM swapping is still rampant - $26 million in losses so far - because SMS-based MFA remains widely used. And that’s not all: Attackers are also pivoting to new methods to bypass text MFA, such as using: 

• Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) kits like Sneaky2FA 

• Spyware campaigns on WhatsApp and Signal users 

• Android trojans like Albiroix to drain bank and crypto accounts 

So, does this mean that MFA is obsolete? 

Absolutely not. 

But you need to implement it correctly and understand it’s just one part of a multi-layered defense. 

Here's the MFA hierarchy, according to Alex Cox, LastPass Director of Information Security: 

Not ideal (avoid if at all possible) 

• SMS codes 

• Email codes 

• Basic push notifications 

Better (spot-on for most everyone) 

• Authenticator apps like the LastPass Authenticator 

Strongest (what security professionals actually use) 

• Hardware security keys like YubiKey 

• Passkeys

Why are hardware keys and passkeys superior? They're cryptographically bound to specific domains. A phishing site can’t steal them because you must physically verify the keys with the legitimate site.  

If the domains don’t match, the keys won’t authenticate you to the platform. This is why CISA recommends FIDO2 MFA as the gold standard for phishing resistant authentication.  

In summary, FIDO2 MFA ensures that, even if attackers manage to intercept your Wi-Fi password, they can’t access your accounts without the second authentication factor. 

#3 Share Wi-Fi passwords via QR codes 

There’s one convenience – QR codes – that promises to make Wi-Fi password sharing easier.  

But is it safer? 

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: If an attacker intercepts your screenshot or emailed QR code, they can use free QR code decoders to extract that static Wi-Fi password. 

With that password, they can gain access to your network and potentially: 

• Exploit vulnerable devices to infect with keyloggers or infostealers 

• Use ARP spoofing to redirect traffic from devices to their machine 

So, while sharing Wi-Fi passwords via QR codes is convenient, it hands attackers the keys to your network on a silver platter. 

Why you need a guest Wi-Fi network and how to set up one 

What are the benefits of a guest Wi-Fi network? 

So, you may be asking: Is it worth creating a guest Wi-Fi network? The answer is, absolutely. A dedicated guest Wi-Fi network gives your guests the freedom to connect while keeping your core network protected. 

Maybe you’re running a home office and hosting the in-laws for the weekend. Or your shop’s buzzing with customers who need to check emails while slurping your decadent chocolate caramel lattes. 

One network for everything is a security risk. 

With guest Wi-Fi, an infected laptop won’t lead to botnet malware pivoting to your business PC for DDoS duty. 

And if someone’s binging Netflix, you can throttle usage on guest Wi-Fi while preserving full performance for your home office SaaS tools and Zoom conferences. 

If you have a brick-and-mortar store, poorly secured guest devices are a primary vector for service disruptions. Attackers can infect these devices with bot malware and weaponize them to launch DDoS attacks, bringing your business to its knees.  

A guest network is separate from your core network, preventing customers from accessing any part of your business infrastructure. 

And with guest Wi-Fi analytics, you get valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences. 

You can see dwell time (the length of time spent in an area) and guest movements. With this, you can: 

• Optimize staffing, product placements, and amenities in high-traffic areas 

• Offer tailored promotions, discounts, and exclusive perks, driving operational efficiency and growth for your business 

Note: Before collecting data, be sure to obtain user consent to comply with data privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA. 

How do you secure a guest Wi-Fi network? 

Everyone wants free Wi-Fi, and they expect it to be fast, reliable, and secure. 

To protect your guest network, implement a captive portal, VLAN segmentation, DNS filtering, strong encryption, and usage limits. 

1. Set up a captive portal that displays your terms of service. A branded login with your brand colors and icons provides reassurance that customers are connecting to a legitimate network. Note: A captive portal also allows you to collect opt-ins for marketing campaigns and loyalty programs.

2. Implement a VLAN configuration – with separate SSIDs for guest and internal Wi-Fi - to separate your business network from your guest Wi-Fi network. Without VLAN segmentation, a compromised guest device could scan your internal network and find your POS (point-of-sale) system. 

3. DNS filtering blocks threats before they reach your network. With a service like Zscaler, your network is configured to send all DNS requests through Zscaler. If the site is allowed by your policies, Zscaler returns the real IP address. The guest browses normally. For malicious domains, Zscaler blocks it and explains why access is denied. Zscaler’s advanced DNS filtering approach includes: 

• Zero Trust Exchange™ platform, where all traffic is treated as untrusted by default 

• Full TLS/SSL traffic inspection, where Zscaler decrypts HTTPS traffic, looks for threats, re-encrypts and then forwards the traffic 

• Granular policies for different users 

• AI-powered threat detection 

• Support for DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS(DoT) to prevent DNS queries from being intercepted 

4. Strong encryption like WPA3 is no longer optional. While WPA2 served us well, the threat landscape has changed dramatically. With WPA3, you get: 

• The harder-to-break 256-bit Galois/Counter Mode Protocol (GCMP-256) 

• Support for Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), which means if an attacker breaks into your network today, they can’t decrypt the data you transmitted yesterday 

• SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals), which is more resistant to offline brute force attacks and replaces WPA2’s pre-shared key authentication (PSK) 

To protect your network, check to see if your router supports WPA3. Generally, routers that come with a Wi-Fi Certified label (and released after 2020) support WPA3. Not sure how to configure your router for WPA3? Follow PC MAG’s easy steps here.

If you’re a small business, standard WPA3-Enterprise may suffice. However, if you’re in a sensitive industry like healthcare, finance, defense, military, or government, you’ll need WPA3-Enterprise in 192-bit mode with 802.1X/EAP-TLS authentication. 

This is the strongest available Wi-Fi security configuration, aligning with federal standards. 

5. Setting usage limits can prevent bandwidth chaos. Imagine: On a Saturday afternoon, your cafe is packed and business is humming.  Suddenly, the internet crawls to a stop because three teenagers are streaming the latest John Wick movie. 

Usage limits such as restrictions on bandwidth-intensive categories during peak hours ensure everyone gets fair, equitable access. When operations are minimal, you can relax these restrictions. 

Session limits are equally important. Disconnect guests after a set time, perhaps 60-90 minutes. This encourages table turnover if you have a restaurant or cafe. If someone needs more time, they can reconnect. 

The key is to find the balance between hospitality and practicality. You want guests to have a good experience without disrupting business operations. 

With the above security fundamentals in place, let’s set up your guest Wi-Fi. 

Step-by-step guide to setting up a guest Wi-Fi network 

To set up a guest Wi-Fi network, follow these steps carefully: 

1. First, you’ll need to log in to your router. To log in to your router, you’ll need to know its IP address and type it into the address bar of your browser. Not sure what the IP address is? Follow CNET’s guide on figuring out your IP address. 

2. When you type in the IP address, the router login page should appear. You’ll need your router login credentials to sign in. Can’t find it? Follow CNET’s instructions on how to find those credentials. 

3. In the wireless settings area, look for the option to enable a guest network or guest access point. You’ll need to set up your guest network with a unique SSID (Service Set Identifier) or network name. For optimum security, be sure to select WPA3 mode, if supported. 

4. Next, use the LastPass generator to create a strong, unique password. This is the password your customers will use to log in to your guest network. 

5. If your router supports it, you can set up QoS (quality of service) controls, such as restricting which websites customers can access and which apps get priority. You may also be able to allocate bandwidth per device or for the entire guest network. 

6. If you run a business, you’ll need to set up a captive portal or offer social media login options. Here’s a quick start guide on setting up a captive portal. 

7. Save all settings and test your guest network by connecting a device (or two) to it. This ensures your guest network is working as expected. 

Once up and running, LastPass just does its thing in the background, populates password fields, automatically saves new passwords and enables you to keep your vault of passwords nice and safe in the digital world. It has become an essential tool for me and our business and has allowed us to significantly strengthen our security by enabling us to use unique hard to crack passwords for all the individual sites we use.

Paul L, Managing Director

Sources 

T-Mobile: How to share your Wi-Fi password on iPhone & Android

Equifax: Account Takeover (ATO) Fraud: Understanding the impact and how to protect your business

Security.org. Account takeover incidents are rising: How to protect yourself

US-Rx Care: Cybercriminals target HSAs

ABA Banking Journal: Synthetic identity fraud results in $20 billion in losses

KPMG: Synthetic identity fraud, a $6 billion problem

SQ Magazine: Password manager statistics 2025: How passwords are changing security

Cisco: Six best practices for guest Wi-Fi security

Cloudflare: Securing guest wireless networks

Zscaler: Power up your guest Wi-Fi network security

Tech Target: What is WPA3?

Meter.com: How to set up public Wi-Fi at your business

Malwarebytes. QR codes: How they work and how to stay safe

Apple iPhone user guide: Share your internet connection from your iPhone

Apple: How to share your Wi-Fi password from your iPhone or iPad