Show your router some love

In a world of persistent Windows Updates, and software updates from the likes of Adobe, Zoom and Sage, it’s easy to think “the whole system” is up-to-date.

However, you shouldn’t forget to think about things beyond your computer, such as printers, wireless access points and the most important one (in our humble opinion) the router.

As your router will more than likely be your connection to the outside world, it’s also the primary device to keep you protected from hackers, bedroom keyboard warriors and general bad guys.

Whilst you should ensure your router is configured securely (perhaps an article for another day), it also needs to be kept up-to-date with the latest software (known as firmware) available for it.

Keeping your router up-to-date will ensure any security-related fixes are applied to it and alongside this, you may also find you improve your performance from the device itself as well (although just to be clear, I’m not promising that).

It’s a good idea to periodically check for any available updates for your router, ideally weekly, with once a month being the absolute minimum.

Most good router manufacturers such as Draytek, TP-Link and Netgear will release updates on a fairly regular basis – because they will find potential security issues and release a new version to keep you protected.

When you get to the stage where your router is retired by the manufacturer and no longer receiving updates, then it’s time to say goodbye to the router and replace it with a shiny new one. Don’t just think “it will be fine for now”, as a time will come when it either fails or is hacked in to, as a result of being an outdated device.

So, today, show your router some love and check that it’s all up-to-date and running smoothly.

Gavin Moorhouse is the owner of Lucid Computer Solutions, based in Redditch they provide Business IT Support amongst other things. He often gives his router a cuddle and checks it’s ok.