How to Use ASUS AiProtection on Your Router

What AiProtection Covers

ASUS AiProtection is a built-in security suite available on many ASUS routers. It combines several protections at the network level: a router security scan, malicious site blocking, infected device detection and prevention, and parental controls. You do not need to install software on each device because the router handles the checks.

Network-level protection is especially useful for devices that are hard to update, such as smart home gadgets and game consoles. You can read more about choosing a router for those devices in router for IoT devices.

According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices include the latest security technologies, and WPA3 offers more robust authentication and increased protections from password guessing attempts. AiProtection adds another layer on top of that encryption.

Before You Enable AiProtection

Check that your router supports AiProtection. Most current ASUS routers include it, but some entry-level or older models may not. Look for the AiProtection tab in the ASUS router app or web interface. If it is missing, update the router firmware first and then look again. Firmware updates can add features or change where they appear in the menus.

Back up your router settings before enabling the feature. This gives you a restore point if you want to undo a change later. You can usually create a backup from the administration section. For more detail, see how to back up and restore router settings.

If you run an ASUS mesh system, enable AiProtection from the main router. The security policies apply across the entire mesh, including satellite units. This is useful if you have a larger home and need consistent protection, as explained in what is mesh Wi-Fi.

How to Enable AiProtection

Open the ASUS router app or log in to the router web admin page. The exact menu can vary by model and firmware, but you are looking for a tab labeled AiProtection, Security, or Network Protection. Tap it and switch the main protection toggle on.

Some routers let you turn individual tools on or off. Leave the main protection enabled unless you are troubleshooting a specific problem. If the page says the feature is unavailable, confirm that your router model supports it and that the firmware is current.

For general guidance on navigating router settings, see router app vs web interface.

Run the Router Security Scan

Once AiProtection is on, run the Router Security Scan. The scan looks at your router configuration and connected devices, then reports anything that may be a security risk. The exact checks vary, but they usually include weak router passwords, outdated firmware, and device behavior that looks suspicious.

Review the scan results and address the items it flags. Common fixes include changing the router admin password, enabling a modern Wi-Fi security method, and updating the router firmware. You can find step-by-step help in how to change router admin password and how to update router firmware.

Run the scan again after making changes to confirm that the flagged items are resolved. You do not need to run it every day, but a monthly check is a good habit.

Use the Network Protection Tools

After the scan, keep the network protection tools enabled. Malicious site blocking checks the websites your devices visit against a database of known bad sites and prevents access when there is a match. Infected device prevention watches for devices that suddenly send traffic in a pattern associated with malware; if that happens, it can block or quarantine that device while the rest of your network continues working.

AiProtection may also include intrusion prevention features that look for common network attacks. These tools run in the background, so you do not need to open the app often. The important step is to keep the router firmware updated because the security database and detection rules are updated through firmware releases.

Wi-Fi encryption is part of a complete setup as well. The Wi-Fi Alliance notes that WPA3 is mandatory for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices and disallows outdated legacy protocols. If your router supports WPA3, enable it as described in how to enable WPA3 on router.

Check Reports and Alerts

AiProtection keeps a history of blocked events and alerts. You can open the security report to see which sites were blocked or which devices triggered an alert. A single block is not always a problem, but repeated blocks from the same device may mean that the device is compromised or that a parental control rule is too strict.

Use the report as a starting point for investigation. If a device keeps getting blocked, update its software, change its password, or disconnect it until the issue is resolved. For more information on reading the event log, see how to read router logs.

The NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Corner provides practical resources for organizations that want to reduce their risk, and the same ideas apply at home: keep software updated, use strong passwords, and review the security controls you have enabled.

Use Parental Controls and a Guest Network

AiProtection includes parental controls that let you set internet access schedules and block content categories. These controls are separate from the security scan, but they appear in the same dashboard. If you have children at home, this can be a straightforward way to manage screen time.

A guest network is another important layer. It keeps smart home devices or visitors on a separate network from your main computers and phones. AiProtection can still monitor traffic from the guest network if the router is configured that way. See guest network explained for more details.

For more on the parental control features available on routers, read router parental controls explained.

Limitations and Best Practices

AiProtection is a network-level security tool, not a replacement for antivirus software on your computers or phones. It cannot scan the contents of encrypted downloads, and no single product catches every threat. Treat it as one layer in a defense-in-depth approach.

Keep your Wi-Fi security settings strong. The Wi-Fi Alliance states that WPA3 networks use the latest security protocols, disallow outdated legacy protocols, and require Protected Management Frames. Enabling WPA3 is one of the most effective things you can do for your wireless network.

Use a unique admin password for the router itself. If you still use the factory default password, change it before relying on AiProtection. The NIST cybersecurity program develops standards and best practices around identity and access management, and the same principle applies at home: anything that protects your admin account protects your whole network.

Finally, check your router's built-in help or the ASUS support site if a specific menu is missing. Router firmware changes over time, and the location of security features can shift.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Where do I find AiProtection on my router?

Open the ASUS router app or web admin page and look for the AiProtection or Security tab. If it is not there, update the router firmware first, then check again. Some routers place the tools under Network Protection or Parental Controls.

Do I still need WPA3 if AiProtection is on?

Yes. WPA3 protects how devices connect and encrypt data, while AiProtection adds traffic inspection and blocking. The Wi-Fi Alliance says WPA3 is mandatory for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices and disallows outdated legacy protocols, so you should enable it when your router supports it.

Can AiProtection block a device from Wi-Fi?

Yes. AiProtection can block or quarantine a device that shows suspicious behavior, and the parental controls can schedule or block internet access for specific devices. You can also block a device manually from the device list, as covered in how to block device from Wi-Fi.

Does AiProtection work if I use my ASUS router as an access point?

That depends on the model and firmware. In some access point or mesh node modes, advanced security features may be disabled. Check the router status or the ASUS support page for your model; if the security tabs are missing, rely on the main router for network protection.

What should I do after a scan finds an issue?

Follow the recommendation in the scan report. That may mean changing the router admin password, updating firmware, or enabling WPA3. Apply the fix and run the scan again to confirm. If a specific device is flagged, you may need to quarantine it and update the device software.