Anyone with a router in their home might want to take note of some new advice. Having decent Wi-Fi is now an important part of modern life, but most of us simply switch on that flashing box and leave it to do its job of beaming broadband around homes. However, never checking that things are safe and secure might not only slow down speeds but also put personal data at risk.

That's according to a new alert from the team at NETGEAR who say some home networks face an average of 10 cyber attacks every 24 hours. It's a worrying statistic that many of us probably don't even realise is happening each day.

"From computers and phones to smart home devices and gaming systems, all your data flows through the router. A vulnerable router is an open door for hackers," NETGEAR said in an email sent to Express.co.uk.

"Make sure you have router-based security with whole-home protection for all connected devices—from your children’s tablets to gaming consoles and smart TVs."

Some of the risks of not having a secure network include bank details being stolen, data theft and, if you have smart cameras and locks these can even be cracked with physical theft then taking place.

If you happen to have a NETGEAR router, the firm says it system provides an Armor service which provides a comprehensive suite of tools that include advanced protection against hackers, malware and identity theft. It is available on the router and should help protect computers, security cameras, baby monitors and all the other IoT devices on a typical home network.

Even if you don't own a NETGEAR device and simply use the router supplied by your Internet service Provider (ISP), you should still be safe as long as you leave it on at all times—even during the night—so it gets security updates. All ISPs release patches during the early hours and if your router is off it won't get updated.

There are some telltale signs that your router could be in trouble. These include slower speeds than you are expecting, not being able to connect as normal and seeing strange activity when surfing the web.

Here are some signs, via NETGEAR, that your network has been hacked.

Slow Internet Speeds: Sluggish WiFi for no clear reason means a hacker could be using your network.

Blocked Access to Your Router or Devices: If you can’t log in to your router or devices, your passwords may have been stolen.

Unfamiliar Software or Unexpected Emails: Strange downloads or a surge in phishing emails and ransomware threats could mean malware is lurking on your network.

Excessive Pop-ups and Browser Redirects: If your browser keeps redirecting to unknown websites or you're bombarded with ads, your network may be infected.

Alerts from Your Internet Provider: Some ISPs notify users if unusual activity is detected.

If you are worried, then NETGEAR says make sure your router is updated, you have good password protection added, and your router is from a trusted company.