What common hardening checklist item should be validated first when securing a consumer-grade wireless router?

A fundamental aspect of securing a consumer-grade wireless router is changing the default password. Most routers come with factory-set usernames and passwords that are widely known or can be easily obtained by attackers. If these default credentials remain unchanged, the router becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access, leading to potential data breaches or network compromises.

By prioritizing the change of the default password, you mitigate the risk of unauthorized users exploiting this weakness. This step is crucial as it acts as the first line of defense against potential intrusions. Once the password is secured, further hardening measures, such as ensuring firmware updates, disabling guest networks, and setting MAC address filtering, can be pursued to enhance the overall security posture of the wireless network.