[Update] Serious security flaw found in 700,000 routers worldwide

[GizBot]

Serious security flaw found in 700,000 routers worldwide

Gizbeat recently posted regarding mobile malware, but this post addresses recent flaws found in routers. Many of them given to customers by their ISPs. Kyle Lovett, a security analyzer has […]


Read more here: http://www.gizbeat.com/7091/serious-secu...worldwide/

[WuddaWaste]

Anybody here a router expert? I need to replace the one at my parents place anyway, regardless of this flaw. I find it daunting that routers can be had for anywhere from $15 - $200 and never have any idea what I'm looking at.

For my apartment, I recently bought a router from Costco (mine suffered a fall, so I needed one that day). I think it's a Netgear. It's definitely dual-band. Besides that, I saw little performance difference between that and the one I'd had which was 5 years older.

When you guys buy routers, what are you looking for? What makes one router 10x the cost of another?

[Ninja^F.U.B.A.R.]

The cheaper routers are fine IMO. Even the cheapest normally cover B/G/N. The more expensive ones are set up to accept more hard line connections and handle larger # of WiFi connections. For something for your parents a cheap one is plenty.

[WuddaWaste]

Thanks @Ninja^F.U.B.A.R. . Concise and helpful. Brevity is the soul of wit.

Also, both your name and your avatar freaking rule, dude. Hehe.

[edcoolio]

What distances are you planning on sending?

How sensitive to distance is the current receiving equipment? (does it ever have distance connection issues?)

Will all the equipment be on the same floor?

How much interference (walls, microwaves, other similar frequency devices) do you see in-between the router and the typical receiver?

What is the bandwidth of their internet connection? (Super high speed? Slow?)

Do you want to future proof? Do you want disposable or the options for 2.4 AND 5 GHz frequencies? Do you require gigabit connections at the port? Are you happy with Wireless B, G, and N - or do you want to go for it and get a router that supports the high-speed wireless AC protocol for the newest of toys?

There are routers that are cheap and will do the basic job you need with no pretense to ripping performance - then Netgear makes the affordable WNR2020(v2) N300 for around $25. You really cannot go wrong with it if your needs are "normal".

If you require gigabit speeds, more distance, and are fine with 2.4GHz then a Linksys E1700-FFP N300 is a good choice at $55.

For something in between, the Edimax BR-6208AC AC750 at the same price as the Linksys has no gigabit, but does have AC, 2.4 and 5GHz frequencies, and the best signal (theoretically) of the three.

In other words, you do NOT have to spend a lot, but be very specific about what you wish to accomplish.

One last thing to consider is if you want to be able to VPN into your parents easily for router and computer troubleshooting rather than making a trip each time they require a hand. If they never do, then no sweat. If they do, then definitely consider the robustness of your solution - both hardware and software.