A user wants to connect a retro gaming console to the internet so that they...

The best option is to create a lower-security network exclusively for the console. Many retro or legacy gaming consoles only support older Wi-Fi security standards such as WPA or even WEP, and they cannot connect to modern WPA2 or WPA3 networks. Downgrading the entire primary network would significantly weaken overall security, which is not recommended in any environment.

The Quentin Docter – CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide explains that legacy devices often lack firmware support for modern encryption standards and should be isolated rather than integrated directly into secure networks. Creating a separate SSID with reduced security limits exposure while still allowing connectivity for the unsupported device.

The Travis Everett & Andrew Hutz – All-in-One Exam Guide emphasizes that lowering security settings on a primary router—even temporarily—introduces unnecessary risk. Switching encryption modes back and forth can also cause configuration instability and expose the network during the downgrade window.

The Mike Meyers / Mark Soper Lab Manual further reinforces the concept of network segmentation as a best practice. By creating a dedicated network for legacy or insecure devices, administrators reduce the attack surface and prevent lateral movement to sensitive systems.

Using a wired Ethernet adapter may not be supported by the console, and adding an older router introduces unmanaged vulnerabilities. Therefore, isolating the console on a separate, lower-security wireless network is the safest and most practical solution.