What Is the Effect of Using a Router?

Connecting Multiple Devices to the Internet

While Wi-Fi has allowed us to connect multiple devices to the internet simultaneously, only a router lets you physically connect devices to the internet. While Wi-Fi was seen as “freedom from wires,” some circumstances require a wired connection.

The primary effect of using a router is that it allows you to connect more than one device to the internet. Some modems include a built-in router, but modems that don’t have a router can only provide an internet connection to a single device.

Connecting a router to a modem routes data between the internet and all your connected devices, so you can have your computer, phone, streaming devices, smart home devices, and other gear connected to the internet simultaneously. The router ensures that data intended for a specific device reaches that device and that data transmitted from your devices reaches your modem.

Providing Security and Data Encryption

Features and functionality vary between routers, but most provide some level of data security. Some standard security features include firewalls, intrusion protection systems, and Wi-Fi security.

Router firewalls protect your entire network like a software firewall protects your computer by blocking potentially malicious traffic. The firewall won’t always be on by default, so using a router doesn’t guarantee this feature. If you want to take advantage of this feature, you need to make sure your router’s firewall is activated.

Intrusion protection and detection features also provide network security. These systems monitor your network traffic for signs of malicious activity and take action to block attacks. This feature can handle denial of service (DoS) attacks, exploits, and malware.

Security is also provided through wireless data encryption if you opt to encrypt your wireless network. This can prevent unwanted intruders from gaining access to your network and prevent anyone from intercepting and reading data transmitted over the network. 

Local Device and File Sharing

In addition to allowing multiple devices to connect to the internet, routers can also allow your devices to connect and communicate locally. For example, if you network a printer, then you can use that printer with any compatible device that’s connected to the same network.

You can also share files over a local network, or connect a media server to your network to access photos, music, and movies from any other networked device.

Improving Transmission Speed and Reliability

Routers allow multiple devices to connect to the internet and to communicate locally, but their overall capabilities vary widely. Basic low-end routers don’t have a lot of bandwidth. They can only handle a limited number of devices, so installing a new router can often result in higher transmission speeds and better reliability.

If you have a lot of devices connected to your network, like computers, phones, tablets, and smart home devices, and you notice that your network performance isn’t great, then upgrading your router may fix the problem.

Providing Parental Controls

Routers don’t all include parental controls, so this is an important feature to look for if you have kids and want to control their access to the internet. Router parental controls typically allow you to set internet access limits based on specific devices and block access to certain websites.

Depending on the router, you may be able to block specific websites at scheduled times, disable internet access at bed time, only allow access to necessary websites during predetermined homework time, and create other specific access rules for the entire network and for individual computers, phones, and other devices.

Offering Secure Guest Access

Some routers allow you to set up a secure guest network alongside the primary network. This is an excellent option if you want to provide internet access to friends and family when they visit because it lets them connect to the internet without connecting to your secure home network.

Once your guests are connected to this specific network, they can access the internet, but they can’t connect to other devices on your network or access data transmitted over the network.