You might need to find all the wireless networks that are broadcast in your area, including those which have a weak WiFi signal and those that have hidden their SSID (network name). For this task, you have to install a wireless network scanner and use it to identify the WiFi networks which exist in your area. However, many of these tools are expensive and only a few of them are free and work well. In this tutorial, we show you a tool that works in all versions of Windows, for free. Let’s get started:

Here at Digital Citizen, we review many wireless routers and mesh WiFi systems. In our reviews, we analyze the wireless spectrum in our area, so that we understand how the wireless signal evolves and how capable the device that we are reviewing is. In the past, we used several tools for this task. Some used to be free but now have become rather expensive. Recently, we switched to NetSpot, and we enjoy using it. Here is why this app is one of the best wireless spectrum analyzers on the market, and why we will use it in all our future reviews of wireless routers, and other system devices:

Linksys Velop was one of the first consumer mesh networking systems on the market, one of the most beautiful, and the most expensive. Its price has not lowered much since its original launch, and many firmware updates later, we got the chance to review it. If you want to know whether Linksys Velop is worth the asking price, read our in-depth review:

ASUS has three mesh WiFi systems on the consumer market. The cheapest of them is ASUS Lyra Mini. It is an AC1300 mesh system, with support for 2x2 MU-MIMO transfers, mobile remote management, built-in security that does not expire, and an administration user interface that can also be accessed from a PC, not only from a smartphone or tablet. If you want to know whether it is a suitable choice for your needs, read our review of ASUS Lyra Mini:

ASUS Lyra Trio is the latest whole-home mesh WiFi system from ASUS. It is a beautiful kit, with modern hardware and security features that do not expire after some time. If you want to get high-quality WiFi in large apartments or homes, ASUS Lyra Trio may have piqued your interest. If you want to see whether it is a good fit for you, read our detailed review:

TP-Link Archer C5 is an old and classic wireless router, that is popular in the market of affordable routers. Its success in sales has convinced the company to create a new revision of this model, so they just launched TP-Link Archer C5 v4. We received this new version for testing, and we took it through all our usual tests and benchmarks. If you want to know whether TP-Link Archer C5 v4 is a good fit for your needs and whether it is worth buying, read this review:

VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, have become widely used tools that help people to securely access a private network and also to share sensitive data through public networks. The main idea is that VPNs can generate virtual P2P (point-to-point) connections, or so-called encrypted tunnels, that allow you to use the internet as a medium for transporting data that is hard to intercept and access by third parties. It also allows you to spoof your physical location, because the VPN provider replaces your real IP address. Luckily, Windows 10 makes it easy for users to create, configure and use VPN connections. Let us see how to make Windows 10 and VPNs work together:

Smart homes include more devices than they used to include five years ago. Many homes have Smart TVs, smart plugs, smart bulbs, all kinds of smart sensors, and so on. All these devices are useful, but they tend to have little to no security built into them. Many of them rarely receive firmware updates that fix problems and security issues. As a result, your home may be smarter than it used to be a few years ago, but it is also less secure, and a heaven for hackers. If you want a secure smart home, you should consider Bitdefender Box 2. Here’s why:

If you are a mobile user who travels a lot, you need a way to work or have fun, while flying. Luckily, just like a smartphone operating system, Windows has a feature called Airplane mode. You can turn it on so that you can use your laptop or tablet while flying, and disable it when you no longer need it. Here is what Airplane mode does, why you should use it and how, in Windows 10 and Windows 8.1:

TP-Link Archer C3150 is an older wireless router that has received a recent refresh. We tested its V2 variant, and we were impressed by its hardware specifications, and good looks. Also, TP-Link has made some serious improvements to their firmware, which now includes advanced security tools produced in collaboration with Trend Micro. If you are curious whether TP-Link Archer C3150 is worth buying, read this review, and find out: