So You’re Getting Home Internet? Here’s What They Don’t Tell You (But You Should Know)

The Excitement of Fast Internet

Maybe you’ve just landed a ka new hybrid job — office on some days, home on others. Suddenly, tethering bundles from your phone isn’t cutting it anymore. You need fast internet, something stable for Zoom or Teams calls, something that won’t embarrass you when your boss asks a tough question. Or maybe it’s not work. Maybe it’s the weekends, when Netflix and chill is the real agenda. Or the kids, who now insist on YouTube lessons and online games on their tablets (banange, who bought them those anyway? 🤔).

So you start shopping. MTN WakaNet is in your face promising fiber speeds. Airtel throws XtraNet and now even 5G routers into the mix. Liquid Technologies is whispering about “unlimited.” Roke Telkom is dangling family-friendly packages. SEACOM (formerly Infocom) is steadily expanding fiber services. Zuku shows up in some estates with “TV plus internet bundles.” CanalBox is storming the market with fast packages and no installation drama. One by one, you weigh the options — speed here, price there, installation timelines, data caps.

It all feels exciting. But in that shopping spree, we often forget that the real cost of home internet isn’t just the shillings we pay. It’s the silent risks we bring through that router blinking in the corner.

What Really Happens in That Setup

The technician arrives, drills the wall, plugs in a router. A few minutes later, Wi-Fi is live. Everyone is celebrating. The kids are dancing around with their tablets (story for another day 😅). You’re already testing the speed with a movie trailer. Life feels sorted.

But behind those blinking green lights, things aren’t always what they seem. Many times, the router still has the factory-set password. If you’ve ever owned that model, you already know what the default login is — and so do thousands of others. Some installers don’t bother updating the router’s software. Others leave remote access switched on, meaning someone in Najjera or Ntinda could quietly scan for it. And because Wi-Fi signals don’t respect walls, your apartment neighbor could be enjoying your “unlimited package” right from their sitting room.

Throw in smart TVs, Wi-Fi cameras, even those bu-cheap “smart bulbs” from downtown — and before you know it, your digital house has more open doors than you imagined.

The Conversations You Shouldn’t Fear Having

Here’s where most Ugandans get shy. We don’t want to disturb the technician. Some of them don’t even have the most inviting faces — they look grumpy, like you’re wasting their time. But listen, you’ve paid your ka money. You deserve answers. You deserve great service. And as the customer, you are king.

So don’t hold back. Start with the basics: “Did you change the router password?” Don’t assume. If they left it at “admin/admin,” you’re basically leaving the gate wide open.

Then follow it up with: “What kind of lock have you put on my Wi-Fi — WPA2 or WPA3?” If they don’t know, side-eye them. That’s like a guard who doesn’t know how to close a padlock.

Next, get practical. Visitors will always come — cousins, neighbors, friends. Do you really want to keep handing out the main password like free mandazi? Ask them to create a guest Wi-Fi for you. Think of it as a separate sitting room: visitors get comfortable there without accessing your bedroom.

Then go deeper: “Is the router updated to the latest firmware?” Routers, just like phones, need updates to close loopholes. Don’t let them leave without confirming this.

And here’s a small but powerful one: “Where is the best place to position the router?” If they tuck it by the window, your signal spills onto the street. If they hide it in a cupboard, it overheats. Placement matters more than most families realize.

Ask too: “Is remote access switched off?” Some routers allow outsiders — even the ISP — to log in remotely. If that’s on by default, you should know, and you should have the choice to switch it off.

For families with children, slide this in: “Can we set parental controls or safe browsing filters?” Many modern routers can block dangerous sites or set usage schedules. If yours can, make them show you how.

Don’t forget the what ifs: “What happens if I suspect hacking? Who do I call? How quickly do you respond?” You don’t want to start Googling for a helpline the day something goes wrong.

And this one surprises many: “Do you keep activity logs on my connection? For how long? Who can see them?” Because sometimes your internet traffic is stored for “troubleshooting” — but transparency matters.

Also: “How many devices can safely connect before performance or security is affected?” A house full of smartphones, TVs, and laptops slows things down — but also widens your attack surface. You should know where the safe line is.

And lastly, don’t ignore the account itself: “Do you support two-factor authentication for my ISP account or router app?” That account is how you pay bills, change passwords, manage settings. If it’s hacked, you’re in trouble before you even notice.

Oh, and one more for the road: when there’s a fiber cut and the same technicians return, watch closely. They’ll often plug in monitoring tools to test your router. Smile, but ask: “What are you plugging in? What are you checking? Are you leaving anything behind?” Never leave your security to chance just because you’re grateful the internet is back.

Keep asking. Every time. Because the day you stop asking is the day you hand over control of your digital home.

Why All This Drama?

We Ugandans are some of the most resourceful and generous people you’ll ever meet. We love to share. A neighbor asks for the password to catch one football match, and we give it. A cousin visits for the weekend, and we quickly type in the Wi-Fi code. A house help leaves, but still remembers the password. Slowly, without even noticing, your internet becomes an open gate.

But home internet is not about gonya eating your MBs and you grumbling that the data finished too fast. That part is funny, yes, but the real dangers are much bigger.

When we don’t ask the right questions at installation, we leave the door wide open for risks like:

• Hackers sneaking into your work laptop and using it as a bridge into your company systems.

• CCTV cameras left unsecured, quietly streaming your home to strangers online.

• Neighbours or intruders sitting outside your compound, latching onto your Wi-Fi because the password was never changed. (see gonya right there 😅)

• Outdated router software with loopholes attackers already know how to exploit.

These are not problems that announce themselves loudly. They come quietly, through that little blinking router in the corner of your living room.

Closing Thought

So yes, go ahead and get that fast internet. Enjoy the speed. Stream your shows. Work without fear of dropped calls. But don’t just think about speed and price. Ask the hard questions. Push your provider. Take control. Because in the end, the internet you bring into your home is more than entertainment. It’s an open door. And whether that door keeps out intruders or not? That depends on how you set it up from day one.

Ready to take the next step?

Don’t leave your family’s safety to chance. Download TheCyberMamushka Home Internet Cyber Safety Questionnaire & Checklist — a two-page guide to help you interview sales agents, challenge technicians, and confirm your Wi-Fi is secure.

👉🏽 Click here to get your copy

Fast internet is great. Safe internet is better.

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