Halloween · once a year

Haunted Wi-Fi

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Game guideHaunted Wi-Fi: full rules, strategy tips and FAQ

▶ Halloween · Network security

Haunted Wi-Fi

The haunted house has three routers, and every one is wide open: a factory password, an old encryption, a stranger on the network, a fake “FreeCandyWiFi”. Each router screen lists six settings. Make the right call on each one and a ghost is banished; make the wrong one and a ghost slips back in.

3 routers
Network security

How to play

Check every setting. Six per router: the admin password, the network name, the encryption, updates, devices, guests and more.
Make the call. Pick what to do. A right call banishes a ghost; a wrong one lets one back in and locks the setting. Each call is explained.
Scan before the candle burns out. Scan when you're done. When the candle burns out, the router is scanned as it is.
Score. 100 per right call. A router with every call right adds 100 and 2 per second of candle left. 4 ghosts or fewer and the house is ghost-free.
Three levels. Beginner gives two choices per setting and a 150-second candle. Expert has a 60-second candle and keeps every verdict for the scan. Each level keeps its own best score.

Quick tips

Defaults first. A router's factory admin password is public. Changing it is the single most important fix.
Strong encryption. WEP is broken. Use WPA3, or WPA2 if an old device can't do WPA3.

3 more tips in the Haunted Wi-Fi guide →