What is a guest network and is it worth using?

The answer

It is a separate Wi-Fi network provided by the router. Check that it reaches the internet but blocks new connections from the guest network to the main home network.

A guest network is a separate Wi-Fi network offered by some routers. The router can give it a separate address range and its own traffic rules. Source Together, they form the guest network boundary.

A system with several access points can carry guest traffic on its own VLAN.

Source

A VLAN is not required for a guest network. It is one way to keep using shared cabling and network equipment.

Separation limits the damage if a smart device has a security problem. Local-network access can be a separate guest-network setting. Source Check the manual for your router model and leave it off.

The setting does not fix the device or stop it connecting to the manufacturer’s service. Updates and account security still matter.

If your router also has a setting called client isolation, enable it when the devices do not need to communicate with each other. It can also stop local control from your phone.