Windows 10: Best Routers of 2015

Yeah but a hardware firewall is a much better solution than a software firewall.
Attachment 42539

 

So what does that mean exactly ? Does it mean you should buy a router even though you will never use WiFi ? I haven't had any issues with malware in years not using a router but willing to learn .

Thanks

 

Just in case some people are not clear about this, when a router quotes a 900Mbps wireless speed, that's on your local, interior network, not on the internet. From your PC to the router and to other devices on your local network. Usually real speeds are half that. If you have 10 devices (PC's, wireless printers, Roku boxes, cell phones on wifi, etc) all receiving and sending data at once, then it's probably 90Mbps each. It gets divided up. Also, if you get a fancy new AC router, but the wifi cards on all of your devices are N models, you won't gain anything. So to take full advantage of the AC router the wifi cards on your other devices also have to support AC.

The actual internet speed still stays at what you are paying for from your internet provider, 5Mbps, 25Mbps, 50Mbps, etc.

 

Note that a router provides additional wired ports along with WiFi, so you have the option to connect printers and other devices via Ethernet. Routers also usually include a firewall, but features vary quite a bit depending on the model. It can get complex, but basically a router firewall can provide some isolation/separation from the internet that you don't have when you plug directly into the modem. I'm sure there are some knowledgeable folks here who can say more about the firewall features if you're interested. And by the way it's still a good idea to keep the Windows Firewall (or other third party firewall) ON when using a router.

 

Depends how recent your stock firmware is as I haven't run stock firmware for atleast a year if not more as I was one of the first to get the R7000. XWRT has better range it seems.

 

Really depends. These SOHO Routers are low-end devices that runs Linux. You can get a dedicated PC and run FreeBSD Unix on it and provided you get a quality NIC like Intel, it will run better in the firewall and the routing department. For the other stuff, it's better to get a switch that actually handles a high amount of packets which none of these SOHO routers can do anyways. I have a dedicated Unix box on the network which handles the routing part that handles the traffic shaping as well as acting as the shell server, www/smtp/ftp server and I have Cisco Managed switches as well as a HP Managed switch like the 2848: HP ProCurve Switch 2800 Series

My wireless routers are more for wireless devices like Smartphones, tablets, roku.

AC Routers will handle 400Mbps fine with the CPU but for anything above that for those that have fiber optic connections, it uses CTF.

 

I understand , thanks . Since i don't have anything other than one printer already plugged in and don't use WiFi i think a router is an unnecessary expense for me at this time just to have a second firewall .

If i need additional ports or plan to go WiFi your info is helpful so thank you Sir.

 

I'm watching for the release of the ASUS RT-AC5300 to see what the reviewers say. Spendy. Looks like a dead spider. But the specs look oh so nice... It even appears that whenever my Crapcast connection goes down I can tether my cell phone directly to the router instead of having to tether it to the computer.

 

I am sure it will be a great choice..If my current ASUS RT-N65U dies tomorrow, I already know what to get next.

 

Old thread, New info:

Backdoored D-Link Router Should be Trashed, Researcher Says

https://threatpost.com/backdoored-d-...r-says/120979/

 

The TPLink Archers with 3 antennas are beasts. My neighbors way down the street say I have 2 bars, but they ain't getting my password. *Smile

 

TPLink tl-wr1043nd is doing great job for me last couple of years. Great signal all over the place, protection on very good level. It's older model but with new FW.

 

Hi there

One of the most important pieces of technology that I'm surprised hasn't been incorporated into Wifi technology - at least for things like wifi cards etc is hardware encryption of the wifi signal - some key using the Mac address or equivalent between Router and wifi card would afford decent protection.

With powerful Wifi signals sent half way across the City - you only need some clever but nasty bozos to capture the signal, and with a data analyser can get passwords etc as on normal wifi everything is sent in Plaintext.

You are usually OK from the CABLE / Fibre box to and from ISP but it's the wifi signal that is a security nightmare -- Things like data analysers are ridiculously easy to get on the normal open market - no "Dark Web" needed.

I'd advise people NEVER to do online Banking or buy stuff on the web using Wifi. The better hotels now often have LAN connections in the rooms and if your computer / tablet doesn't have a LAN card for about 5 USD you can get a good USB-->LAN adapter.

I'm really surprised that nobody seems to be interested in Wifi encryption -- if there was even 0.1% interest in this as the amount of often totally pointless discussions on what is the best A/V software there would be a solution.

Currently you can restrict connections to your network based on factors like Mac id of the card but that doesn't stop people from tracking your Wifi data which is a greater risk than having somebody attempt to penetrate your network which is much more easily detectable.

Fortunately most wifi signals aren't that strong - but with some of these mega powerful wifi signals coming from the latest batch of hardware it's high time IMO this area was looked at seriously --wifi encryption.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Public hot spots are worst. I'm sing a data plan for my phone, second card for 3G internet only, 2GB a month is more than enough for any on-the-go internet I could ever use, cheap, safe and faceless, it's a prepaid service not tied to any name or person.

 

Hi there

Even if the router has some sort of encryption the data sent by your wifi card can still be picked up --it's a RADIO transmitter as well as a receiver - so if it's transmitting anybody with the appropriate receiver can pick it up. Similarly the router acts as both transmitter and receiver so it's obviously not impossible to crack this stuff if you are of that mindset. So at which point does the wifi data transmitted from your Wifi card actually get encrypted.

3 / 4G phone services are the best here -- the phone companies usually have a tight rein on Hacks etc. IMO as CountMike says for on the go internet when you need to have some sort of security use a cheap 3/4 G phone plan -- in most places you can get 2GB of data a month quite cheaply now on phone networks --I'm sure most people don't want to download a full 4K UHD movie on a mobile phone.

Public wifi is OK for things like internet streaming, watching footie etc - just don't do any financial transactions on it.

Note also even if there is some sort of encryption on wifi - it's possible for people using the signal from your wifi card to create a "peer to peer" network -- and then you are in Total trouble.

Really my advice is NEVER use wifi for any internet transaction that involves Money -- if you don't have access to a wired network use your phone for these - using the 3 / 4G connection NOT the wifi.

Cheers
jimbo