I have a deco wifi router and i keep hearing about tplink routers and modems being compromised by hacks and leaks.
Is there something i can do to keep my wifi network secure or should i be throw it out and buy a new one? (i just bought it a few months back. really REALLY dont wanna throw it out)
Mind providing the source of this? That would make it easier to asses and suggest what to do
Well, some models have support for OpenWrt but it’s highly platform (hardware) dependent.
I am refering to microsoft report of tp link routers being compromied (google - Chinese threat actor Storm-0940 uses credentials from password spray attacks from a covert network)
I have a deco x55
Well, not much information is disclosed (or maybe it’s just not known yet) regarding the vulnerability. Not even which models are affected, just:
Microsoft tracks a network of compromised small office and home office (SOHO) routers as CovertNetwork-1658. SOHO routers manufactured by TP-Link make up most of this network
It doesn’t seem there alternative firmwares for the Deco device you have, at least not on dd-wrt nor openwrt databases. Some are saying it could take a while for those to be developed.
Maybe, as an option, you could repurpose them purely as access points (AP) and set them behind a different router/firewall, so that by no means they are sticking out to the public internet (even with no opened ports and with firewall up). Without disclosure of vulnerability mechanism - it’s hard to say how they can get exploited.
so … just wait n see?
If you don’t have the money for another/new router.
If you don’t have something else that you can replace this router with.
Check if you have the latest software available for this model.
If it really has holes, there’s nothing you can do about it. Only replace it or put another one in front of it.
Nearly all consumer routers have a lots of vulnerabilities that are either unpatched or are very slow to patch. If you want to be away from that you need to use a paid for enterprise gateway that costs $$$ or something in the Prosumer space that has a lot less vulnerabilities, or pay for something like PFSense Plus (PFSense CE has terrible update speed so dont use the free version)
Personally, for basic home users who want better security I recommend Ubiquiti UniFi or Firewalla. Yes they do have some issues, but they have far less issues than normal consumer gear and without the price tag of enterprise gear, along with a nice ease of use for a home user who doesnt typically work in IT and know all the details. These two companies strike the best balance IMO for typical home users
Here’s a video on firewalla:
https://youtu.be/fQKPqYEi1I0?t=129
And UniFi:
https://youtu.be/0AUqaf3wDQU?t=87