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Keeping your router safe is important. It's not hard to do, but you need to keep an eye on things. For example, you need to make sure that the firmware of your router is up-to-date. A lot of routers have an option for automatic firmware updates, but some don't or it may be disabled by default (check with manufacturer).
Keeping your router safe
Monitor your router firmware with firmware monitor
First, check your router's wiki page. If you can't find your model, try to find a similar model by searching for the manufacturer and then adding "wiki" to the end of it. For example, if I'm looking for information on my Linksys WRT160N V1 (which I can't seem to find in any other way), I would search for Camera Monitor.
Then try finding a similar product using just its vendor name. For example:
[d-link wiki]
[netgear wiki]
Check the wiki page of your model, you may find a special note about flashing the latest version
Check the manufacturer and model
Find the most recent version in download section at the same wiki page
Follow the installation instruction in the wiki
Use build from community section
The most recent version of the firmware will be listed in the download section. Click on this link and you should see a list of files to download, such as "TP-Link_TL-WR340G_Ver_4_0_0R1124(US)" or "TP-Link_TL-WR340Gv3_(V3)".
Download the appropriate file from this list and unzip it if necessary to extract its contents, which are usually contained in a .bin or .img file.
[If you need these instructions for another model router, try searching Google or Wikipedia for instructions specific to your model.]
Install firmware monitor from the community section.
Follow the installation instruction in the wiki, use build from community section
You can find your firmware version under 'system' tab on firmware monitor
Safety is important. Keeping your router up to date means staying safe from the latest threats. Your router is a physical device, and many potential security breaches can be stopped by simple physical barriers. For example, if you keep your computer in a locked room or a locked drawer when it's not in use, that makes it more difficult for someone else to access it without your knowledge.
Similarly with computers, routers are vulnerable when left out in the open where strangers can see them or gain access through unauthorized ports and holes in their firewall settings (software that protects them from intruders).
Flashing the latest version of firmware is a great way to keep your router safe, but it’s not the only thing you can do. If you have any concerns about your router, be sure to contact the manufacturer and ask them if there are any special instructions for upgrading. If they recommend using an older version of firmware instead of updating right away, then go ahead and do what they say!
