{"id":406324,"date":"2022-02-16T15:00:30","date_gmt":"2022-02-16T12:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/its-time-to-throw-away-your-old-router\/"},"modified":"2022-02-16T15:00:30","modified_gmt":"2022-02-16T12:00:30","slug":"its-time-to-throw-away-your-old-router","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/its-time-to-throw-away-your-old-router\/","title":{"rendered":"#It\u2019s Time to Throw Away Your Old Router"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2ec55a4da83\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2ec55a4da83\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/its-time-to-throw-away-your-old-router\/#Improved_Wi-Fi_Security_Standards\" >Improved Wi-Fi Security Standards<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/its-time-to-throw-away-your-old-router\/#Unpatched_Vulnerabilities\" >Unpatched Vulnerabilities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/its-time-to-throw-away-your-old-router\/#New_Speed_Standards\" >New Speed Standards<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/its-time-to-throw-away-your-old-router\/#Better_Configuration_Tools_and_Parental_Controls\" >Better Configuration Tools and Parental Controls<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/its-time-to-throw-away-your-old-router\/#Which_Router_Should_I_Get\" >Which Router Should I Get?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/its-time-to-throw-away-your-old-router\/#Remember_to_Recycle_Your_Old_Router\" >Remember to Recycle Your Old Router<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>&#8220;#It\u2019s Time to Throw Away Your Old Router&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<figure style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage size-full wp-image-784764\" data-pagespeed-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/throw_away_router_hero_4.jpg?width=398&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 400w, https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/throw_away_router_hero_4.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 400w, 1200w\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/throw_away_router_hero_4.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"A Wi-Fi Router in a Recycle Bin\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"type:primaryImage imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-illustration\/recycling-trashcan-router-3d-rendering-isolated-1874745361\">AlexLMX\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Time marches on, and router <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> does too. Due to obsolete Wi-Fi security standards and unpatched vulnerabilities, it\u2019s time to recycle your old router and get a new one. Along the way, you\u2019ll likely get a speed boost. Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improved_Wi-Fi_Security_Standards\"><\/span>Improved Wi-Fi Security Standards<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Wi-Fi security standards keep your network safe, requiring a password to connect to your router, and also encrypting your wireless data so others can\u2019t intercept and read it.<\/p>\n<p>Since 1997, Wi-Fi encryption standards have improved over time as older methods fell to hacks. First to go was WEP, then WPA, and even WPA2. All of those older security standards are now considered insecure, and if you use them, you\u2019re vulnerable to people nearby using your network without permission or spying on your internet activity.<\/p>\n<p>Today, WPA3 (introduced in 2018) is the best Wi-Fi encryption standard to protect you against Wi-Fi eavesdropping or intrusion. If your current router doesn\u2019t support WPA3, it\u2019s definitely time to upgrade.<\/p>\n<p>To figure out if your router supports WPA3, you\u2019ll need to log in to your router\u2019s configuration interface (consult your documentation for instructions,) and take a look at your wireless security settings. If WPA3-Personal isn\u2019t available, your router needs an upgrade.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>What Is WPA3, and When Will I Get It On My Wi-Fi?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unpatched_Vulnerabilities\"><\/span>Unpatched Vulnerabilities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Aside from well-known hacks to security standards <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.krackattacks.com\/\">such as WPA2<\/a>, individual router models can have bugs that make them vulnerable to hacking\u2014locally through Wi-Fi, or through the internet. Typically, if a router device is new enough, the manufacturer will issue software updates (called \u201cfirmware updates\u201d) to patch these issues and keep your router relatively secure. But if a device is old enough, it might not be receiving firmware updates like it once was. If so, you\u2019re much more vulnerable to hacks.<\/p>\n<p>For example, in 2021, researchers <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/82521\/every-wi-fi-device-back-to-1997-likely-vulnerable-to-fragattacks\/\">discovered<\/a> a vulnerability in the Wi-Fi standard they dubbed \u201c<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fragattacks.com\/\">FragAttack<\/a>.\u201d It affects almost every Wi-Fi router released since 1997. Many router manufacturers have since released patched firmware to fix this issue. But if you\u2019re running an older router without that patch available, it could potentially be compromised with the FragAttack hack. If not FragAttack, it might fall to another vulnerability yet to be discovered.<\/p>\n<p>To make sure you\u2019re protected, log into your router\u2019s configuration interface and check for firmware updates\u2014or you can look on the manufacturer\u2019s website. If there isn\u2019t a firmware update dated 2021 or later, it\u2019s time to get a new router.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"New_Speed_Standards\"><\/span>New Speed Standards<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If your router is old enough, it might not take advantage of the fastest Wi-Fi speeds your newer Wi-Fi devices (tablets, smartphones, laptops) can support. Wi-Fi 6 (2019) and Wi-Fi 6E (2021) introduced much faster Wi-Fi transfer speeds, and Wi-Fi 7 is on the horizon.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019d like the best Wi-Fi performance possible and your router was manufactured before 2019, you\u2019ll very likely benefit from faster Wi-Fi speeds if you upgrade to a newer router today.<\/p>\n<p>Also, if your router is old enough, it might not even have <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gigabit_Ethernet\">Gigabit Ethernet<\/a> jacks, which allow much faster wired Ethernet connections than the old <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fast_Ethernet\">100BASE-T<\/a> standard. Upgrading to a modern router will give you that benefit as well.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Better_Configuration_Tools_and_Parental_Controls\"><\/span>Better Configuration Tools and Parental Controls<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Compared to the configuration interfaces that shipped in older routers, newer routers tend to have easier-to-use interfaces with more features. More features can sometimes add confusion, but one router feature every parent might <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>reciate is parental controls, which was <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">general<\/a>ly lacking from routers until recently. We\u2019ve found that Synology routers have excellent parental controls that make it easy for parents to block certain sites or put time limits on internet usage by device.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-box \">\n<div class=\"product-img product-img-noaward\">\n<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B01N5MPTG1?tag=hotoge-20&amp;linkCode=ogi&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1\" onclick=\"fbq('track', 'Buy Button'); if (fb_t_convert){fb_t_convert();}\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/419niIRlrqL._SL160_.jpg\" height=\"147px\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Also, many modern routers (including those by Synology) allow you to configure them using an app on your smartphone instead of requiring a web interface. This can make changing settings quickly a lot more convenient.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Router_Should_I_Get\"><\/span>Which Router Should I Get?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As of February 2022, if your current router supports WPA3 encryption and has received a firmware update since 2021, it\u2019s recent enough that you should keep it. Anything older (generally speaking, made before 2018) is vulnerable to hacking.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to buying a new router, it can be hard to choose from all the options. We\u2019ve written a guide to the best routers that includes router recommendations for different budgets and needs. And as we mentioned above, we\u2019ve found that Synology routers have excellent parental controls.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Remember_to_Recycle_Your_Old_Router\"><\/span>Remember to Recycle Your Old Router<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s worth noting that when we say \u201cthrow away,\u201d we really mean \u201crecycle.\u201d E-waste is a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/in.pcmag.com\/gallery\/94521\/end-of-life-haunting-pics-of-computer-junkyards?p=1\">huge problem<\/a>, and it\u2019s important to find a local business or disposal center that will accept used electronics for recycling.<\/p>\n<p>Be sure to reset your router first to remove your personal data, too.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-784901\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/old_routers_photo.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Old internet routers in a trash wastebasket.\" width=\"650\" height=\"348\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/electronic-scrap-trash-can-keyboard-router-102990299\">Biehler Michael\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We recognize that it\u2019s noble to get as much life out of an older piece of equipment as you can. But when it comes to vulnerable hardware that might compromise your security or finances, you don\u2019t want to mess around: It\u2019s time for an upgrade. Stay safe out there!<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Easily Recycle the Old Electronics You Can&#8217;t Sell<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\n setTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s) } (window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n   fbq('init', '335401813750447');\n   fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/784731\/its-time-to-throw-away-your-old-router\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#It\u2019s Time to Throw Away Your Old Router&#8221; AlexLMX\/Shutterstock.com Time marches on, and router technology does too. Due to obsolete Wi-Fi security standards and unpatched vulnerabilities, it\u2019s time to recycle your old router and get a new one. Along the way, you\u2019ll likely get a speed boost. Here\u2019s why. Improved Wi-Fi Security Standards Wi-Fi security&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":406325,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/throw_away_router_hero_4.jpg?height=200p&trim=2,2,2,2","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-406324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=406324"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406324\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/406325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=406324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=406324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=406324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}