Getting a new router

Discussion in 'hardware' started by Fly, Jan 17, 2012.

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  1. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

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    For various reasons I intend to purchase a new wireless router.

    But I'm rather demanding. Obviously I don't want a router with some kind of backdoor.

    Once I purchased a Linksys (Cisco!) WRT 120N. Big mistake.

    You can read my old thread here: https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=277194

    While there is always a risk that any router might have a backdoor, it depends on brand and type. Aside from the matter of who has access to the backdoor. My current router is of the Sitecom brand. Made in china.
    I'm not terribly worried about the Chinese government spying on me.

    Also, the more simple the router the fewer the chances of unwanted surprises.
    I don't need a very advanced router and I don't want any that is so advanced that it's beyond my comprehension.

    That particular Linksys router came with a rather unpleasant EULA. Aside from the capabilities, it allowed for spying by Cisco and associates.
    It was not the typical router in the sense that you had to install software on the computer for the wireless adapter and you could simply hook up the router to the modem. Instead, the router itself had to be configured from a CD and my attempt to reset it caused issues. I no longer have it.

    So, I'm looking for anything basic. Preferably not a product made by an American company, but aside from Sitecom there may or may not be alternatives. I'm in Europe.

    There is that CALEA stuff. There is no way to know what American companies put in routers for home users.

    I realize that I may end up buying an American brand. In any case, I don't want a router that has many advanced features that I cannot understand.

    Any suggestions ? NOT Linksys. I realize Belkin is an American company, what about their products ?
     
  2. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    I would have said that the paranoid were better going with a router than can be flashed to a public OS like DDWRT.

    Also if you need wireless it might be a better idea holding out for the new wireless AC routers that will be coming late this year, but should be fully backwards compatible with B/N.
     
  3. Hungry Man

    Hungry Man Registered Member

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    Get Linksys, flash your own Firmware.
     
  4. Cudni

    Cudni Global Moderator

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    ot posts removed.
     
  5. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

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    Maybe.

    There is no guarantee that open source is 'safe'.
    Even if I were to do such a thing, once set up how complicated will the software be ? I don't like having lots of advanced features without knowing what they do/how the device operates. I like simple.
    Default is not always safe.

    Even then, the hardware ... at one point it seemed I had messed up the WRT 120N. I couldn't get it back to its original state.

    I'm not convinced that some high end routers don't have a 'hardware backdoor', to put it simply.

    I'd rather not have some super-advanced router. Simple is good.

    Any suggestions for brands/models ?
    Locally Sitecom is popular. What about Belkin ? A long time ago I helped someone to configure a Belkin router.
    What are the current models like ? Again, I like simple.
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2012
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