Tips

Why Users Should Turn Off Wi-Fi When Going Out

As one ventures outside of the home, it is commonly preached to disable the utilized Wi-Fi and cellular transmitting devices within the residence.

Administrator

21 April, 2024

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Although turning Wi-Fi on even when away from home might make it more convenient and faster to connect when you return, technology experts advise against it and recommend only using Wi-Fi when present at home.

Why should users turn off Wi-Fi when leaving home? (Illustrative photo)

To understand why tech experts advise users to turn off Wi-Fi when they leave the house, let’s explore the reasons in the following article.

Reduce the risk of fire

Turning off Wi-Fi when you leave home can help prevent the chances of electrical fires and surges. When you are home, you can quickly respond to any electrical spikes, but in the case of an empty house, it will be difficult to deal with plugs during a lightning storm or any other electrical emergency.

Wi-Fi devices do not pose as high a risk of causing fires and electrical hazards as many other electronics. However, the potential danger it poses is similar to that of cybercriminals, and prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, turn off or unplug your Wi-Fi completely before leaving home to have greater peace of mind while you’re away.

Prevent security threats

With technology developing rapidly as it is, hackers and cybercriminals can install malware on your and your family’s networks if they have enough time to do so uninterrupted.

Leaving your Wi-Fi on allows them access to an online connection while your home is unoccupied, giving them the time they need to breach your network.

Therefore, turning off or unplugging your Wi-Fi when you leave home will cut off the connection and make it impossible for cybercriminals to access your network without physically tampering with your router.

Save battery life

Keeping Wi-Fi turned on, even when you are not connected to a network, can drain the battery life of some phones, such as iPhones. In particular, when you don’t turn off the Wi-Fi, your phone continues to search for Wi-Fi networks as you move around outside of your home, a process that is not only unnecessary but also drains your battery.

To optimize safety, conserve battery, and protect your personal information, turning off Wi-Fi when going out is a helpful measure.

Save energy

Turning off your Wi-Fi before leaving the house can help address the issue of excessive electricity usage. Completely turning off or unplugging your Wi-Fi router when you’re away from home for a week or even just a few days is a simple action that can have a significant impact on saving money on your electric bill.

Every little bit of electricity use counts towards reducing your overall usage and the resulting bill. Therefore, this simple act helps cut down on energy costs in the long run.

According to VTC news

Frequently asked questions

When you leave your Wi-Fi on, there’s a chance of electrical spikes and surges, especially during lightning storms. This can lead to electrical fires. By turning off your Wi-Fi, you remove this risk and gain peace of mind while you’re away.

With Wi-Fi left on, hackers and cybercriminals can access your network and install malware. Turning it off when you’re away prevents them from having the uninterrupted time they need to breach your system, protecting your personal information and that of your family.

Keeping Wi-Fi on can drain the battery of some phones as they constantly search for networks. Turning it off conserves battery life. Additionally, turning off your Wi-Fi router when away for a few days or a week reduces electricity usage, helping you save money on your energy bills.