Why Every Smart Home Needs a Unified WiFi and Cybersecurity Strategy

In the modern age, the potential of technology can feel practically limitless. From AI to cryptocurrency, society at large has now fully embraced the diverse spectrum of abilities offered by advanced technological tools. This has, for the most part, made life more efficient and straightforward for all parties involved. However, despite the advanced state of many technological tools today, they are only as reliable as the network that powers them. A large contributing factor to the rapid pace of advancement in technologically fueled sectors stems from the fact that each new product builds on the foundation that has already been established by networks and Wi-Fi. A new home security camera doesn’t need to worry about building in mechanisms that will connect it directly to online services, but rather, can rely on the homeowner utilizing a pre-existing Wi-Fi network to accomplish that.

To this end, as households continue to adopt smart home devices, a unified Wi-Fi and cybersecurity approach is essential to ensure seamless connectivity and protect against growing digital threats. Combining mesh Wi-Fi systems, high-speed routers, and VPN-level protection can provide both speed and security, ensuring that all your technological safety measures continue to work when you need them most.

Smart Homes Are Only as Smart as Their Networks

The vast majority of homes across the country utilize multiple pieces of technology that operate on a network infrastructure simultaneously on a daily basis. From smart TVs to doorbell cams to thermostats to voice assistants and beyond, these tools have become standardized and commonplace. However, without a network infrastructure that is capable of supporting numerous devices and lag-free connectivity, it defeats the entire purpose. A system like Orbi Mesh creates a robust Wi-Fi blanket that ensures all corners of your home are covered.

Nighthawk Routers Combine Speed with Advanced Features

Elsewhere, devices such as Nighthawk Routers are explicitly engineered to handle high-bandwidth tasks like streaming, gaming, and video conferencing. These tools feature multi-gig Ethernet ports, which serve to enable customizable QoS (Quality of Service). Through these means, you can prioritize the connection of any device that is most important and ensure that the router favors it in the event of any lag time occurring. According to a recent survey, 75% of consumers say they want more control over home network security. These devices provide precisely that.

As an example of how much this can help support the critical connected elements of your home, consider that miscellaneous items, such as your digital clock or microwave, may be connected to your home’s Wi-Fi. This helps to keep things running smoothly in the long term, but in the short term, the connectivity of your microwave is unlikely to be a significant concern. With a Nighthawk router, you can make sure that these low-priority connections do.

Built-in VPN Adds a Layer of Smart Home Security

Home networks are frequent targets for cybercriminals. NETGEAR Armor offers built-in VPN encryption and real-time threat detection, defending every device connected to your network, whether it has a screen or not. A recent study showed that cyberattacks on IoT devices increased by 87% in the past year [WCA, 2025].

As the Director of Cybersecurity at EFF, Eva Galperin says, “Many consumers underestimate the security risks of smart devices. VPNs that run at the router level are critical.”

Protection You Can Rely On

Recently, a tech-savvy homeowner installed smart locks, cameras, and environmental sensors. However, these protective tools were greatly hindered by lag, which led to security alerts, which led to even further lag. As a result, these security devices became more of a nuisance than the homeowner expected and failed to keep the house safe.

Seeking a more effective solution, the homeowner switched to an Orbi Mesh system with Armor VPN. This not only improved performance across all devices but also blocked multiple phishing and malware attempts in real time.

FAQ

What’s the difference between a smart router and a regular one?

Smart routers offer better coverage, faster speeds, and integrated security features like device prioritization and VPN encryption.

Can a VPN protect my smart home gadgets?

Yes. VPNs like NETGEAR Armor run at the router level, encrypting traffic from every connected device—including cameras, sensors, and lights.

Is mesh WiFi necessary for a small apartment?

It depends. Mesh can be helpful in concrete-walled or multi-room apartments where signals drop off quickly, but may be overkill for very small spaces.

Do I need both a mesh system and a high-speed router?

Not always. Orbi Mesh systems integrate router capabilities. However, advanced users may pair mesh satellites with high-speed routers like Nighthawk for customized performance.