As technology advances and more devices connect to our home networks, Wi-Fi speeds can slow down, especially during peak hours. However, a technology professor has shared a simple hack: place a sheet of aluminum foil behind your router to improve your Wi-Fi speed.

James McQuiggan, a Security Awareness Advocate for KnowBe4 and a part-time faculty professor at Valencia College in the Engineering, Computer Programming & Technology Division, has thoroughly researched technology and shares this interesting technique for boosting your Wi-Fi connection.

Using Aluminum Foil Behind Your Router for Faster Connection

When more devices connect to the same wireless network, the signal weakens. McQuiggan explains, “Like a sprinkler head spraying water in all directions,” wireless signals go to places where they’re not needed, weakening them where they are. Obstructions like furniture or walls can also impact signal strength. Placing aluminum foil behind your router with the shiny side facing outward can reflect the signal, allowing it to travel more freely and methodically. Shaping the aluminum foil can give you more control over where the signal travels.

Testing the Theory

While this hack might seem questionable, a research team at Dartmouth confirmed McQuiggan’s theory. They created a “3D-printed shape” covered in aluminum and strategically placed it to control the signal’s travel path. They boosted the signal in desired places by more than half and decreased it in undesired places by over 60%.

How to Place Aluminum Foil Behind Your Router

What you’ll need:

• 1-foot sheet of aluminum foil (Be sure to cover the antenna to the top. Note: Some routers won’t have an external antenna.)
• Create a “C” shape with the sheet and place it behind your router with the shiny side facing inside the curve, toward the router. Fold out the bottom of the sheet to create a stand if needed.

Check the connection:

• Go to the area where you’d like to see an increase in signal, such as on the couch or in the kitchen.
• Type “Google speed test” into your phone or computer browser’s search bar and run the blue “run speed test” to get a report on your connection speeds.

Aluminum Foil Behind Your Router for Security

Besides improving speed and efficiency, placing aluminum foil behind your router can also enhance security. The Dartmouth team discovered that this hack limits how far the Wi-Fi signal can reach, making it harder for hackers to access your connection. By arranging the signals to avoid areas where a connection is not needed, you create a physical barrier that complements existing network security measures like encryption, raising the barrier for attackers.