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Curious. A layman here. I own one dlink router I bought in 2014. Has been running since then. 0 updates. What "update" should I give my router ? Forgive my i

Curious. A layman here. I own one dlink router I bought in 2014. Has been running since then. 0 updates. What "update" should I give my router ? Forgive my ignorance

alias_neo 2y ago
The manufacturers should release "firmware" updates; they update the software in the router and fix vulnerabilities or add features. Your D-Link router from 2014 likely stopped receiving updates within 2-4 years of its manufacture so updating now will still leave you quite outdated, if the manufacturer released any updates at all (and if they did, they may even have pulled them offline as we're now 10 years after the fact). If you're concerned about the security, you can check if your router is supported by an open-source OS like OpenWRT and flash that over the factory software, or upgrade to a newer model (bearing in mind another consumer router will only get you a few short more years of updates). If you're really cautious (like I am) you buy something that you can install a router OS on that you know will always be updated; pfSense, OPNSense, OpenWRT, Vy etc.
pkaye 2y ago
There are always new security vulnerabilities found on these network devices and they directly face the internet. Most of these companies tend to EOL them after a few years and often continue to sell that close to or after the EOL date. This link is from a quick query on dlink routers. https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/6-new-d-link-vulnerabilities-found-on-home-routers/ https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/6-new-d-link-vulnerabili...
acuozzo 2y ago
Your router is a computer much like any other in your dwelling. It's probably running GNU/Linux. Just like any other computer, it can be exploited if vulnerabilities are found and in 10 years it's likely some have been found. Unfortunately, it's likely that dlink stopped providing updates for your product which leaves you with three options: 1. Ignore the problem 2. Install something like OpenWRT if your hardware is supported 3. Purchase new hardware

Curious. A layman here. I own one dlink router I bought in 2014. Has been running since then. 0 updates. What "update" should I give my router ? Forgive my ignorance

alias_neo 2y ago

The manufacturers should release "firmware" updates; they update the software in the router and fix vulnerabilities or add features. Your D-Link router from 2014 likely stopped receiving updates within 2-4 years of its manufacture so updating now will still leave you quite outdated, if the manufacturer released any updates at all (and if they did, they may even have pulled them offline as we're now 10 years after the fact). If you're concerned about the security, you can check if your router is supported by an open-source OS like OpenWRT and flash that over the factory software, or upgrade to a newer model (bearing in mind another consumer router will only get you a few short more years of updates). If you're really cautious (like I am) you buy something that you can install a router OS on that you know will always be updated; pfSense, OPNSense, OpenWRT, Vy etc.

pkaye 2y ago

There are always new security vulnerabilities found on these network devices and they directly face the internet. Most of these companies tend to EOL them after a few years and often continue to sell that close to or after the EOL date. This link is from a quick query on dlink routers. https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/6-new-d-link-vulnerabilities-found-on-home-routers/ https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/6-new-d-link-vulnerabili...

acuozzo 2y ago

Your router is a computer much like any other in your dwelling. It's probably running GNU/Linux. Just like any other computer, it can be exploited if vulnerabilities are found and in 10 years it's likely some have been found. Unfortunately, it's likely that dlink stopped providing updates for your product which leaves you with three options: 1. Ignore the problem 2. Install something like OpenWRT if your hardware is supported 3. Purchase new hardware