Using a very old router

[#1]

Hi

Im using an old Plusnet router from 15 years ago. Does this present a security risk? Should I update it to the new Plusnet router (Hub 2?). 

Or - as long as the router password is strong its fine? (Ive never changed the default router password)

Thanks

[#2]

@vertex1 Does that mean you have never re-contracted, and which router is it?

From a security point, I wouldn't worry, but a newer Hub may improve performance.

[#3]

Hi @jab1 . Yes, Ive been with Plusnet ever since. 

I dont remember them ever offering a new router, or maybe they have but would charge for it, or something. I dont remember. My thinking was/is 'if its not broke dont fix it'. 

Im happy with the speed/performance of the router, so Id rather not change it. Its a Hub One.

I am concerned about someone hacking into it though. The default router password and wireless key dont seem so secure (do they?). Im concerned about changing those in case I make matters worse!

[#4]

The only charge is the P&P, and they used to offer them at re-contract, but I don't know these days - no longer a customer.

The chances of anyone actually attempting to hack your Hub are too remote to worry about - IMO.

[#5]

@vertex1  Welcome to the Plusnet Community Fora.

The Plusnet Hub One is still widely used. The latest firmware is posted here: https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/PN-Hub-Latest-Firmware-Versions/m-p/1864745#M31353..

There are very few firmware updates these days as the design is mature and there are no known security issues. 

If you log in to the Hub and find that you are using the latest firmware then if you're happy with the performance, don't worry.

If the firmware is out of date then ring Plusnet and ask for a replacement. The most that it should cost you will be the P&P charge.

[#6]

Thanks @jab1 , but I live in a block of flats, and there are a few nefarious gamers here. I heard them talking about hacking. This is why Im spooked.

If I change the settings, what would be the order? Would I change the wifi password first and then the admin password? To update bothe of these Id need to login to the router first?

[#7]

I still wouldn't worry, but if you wish to, then yes you need to log into the Hub, and I don't think it matters which order you do them in.

[#8]

Hmm, how do I update the firmware? Ive logged into the router but see no mention of 'firmware' anywhere.

[#9]

@vertex1 

You can't update the firmware, if you leave the Hub switched on this should happen automatically.

People worry unnecessarily about passwords being hacked with the concept of someone guessing the password. If the password is a mixture on upper and lower case characters plus numbers, that’s 62 alternatives. If the password is say, only 6 characters long then that’s 62 to the power 6, which is  56,800,235,584 alternatives, of which only 1 is correct. If it's 12 characters that that increases to approximately 3,226,266,762,397,900,000,000. That is, a needle in a haystack!

The far bigger risk is that a neighbour visits your flat and manages to take a photo of the label showing the passwords.

Either cover the label or log in to the Hub and change them. The order doesn’t matter. Note that is the Hub is factory reset at any time these will revert to those on the label.

[#10]

OK thanks. Thats reassured me a little. I supposed Im used to website passwords where you have to enter upper/lower/punctuation/numbers.

[#11]

@vertex1 

If you do the sums but adding up to 10, from memory, special characters, gives you fewer variations then simply adding an additional alpha numeric one to the string.

[#12]

Being a slow afternoon and thinking more about this I realised that at some point this statement must be incorrect. Before being corrected, I calculate that this rule breaks down if your password contains more than 27 characters including upper and lower case letters plus numbers plus 10 specials, against 28 upper and lower case letters plus numbers. Passwords this long have around 15 and 49 zeros, 1.5E50 for the mathematicians, variations. We have moved on from needles in haystacks to a grain of sand on a beach.  

[#13]

@vertex1 

If you change the p/w using WiFi you'll lose the connection as soon as you apply the change. You need to re-program your device to the new p/w.

Will the Hub2 may be better you can't split the 2.4 and 5g bands like you can with the Hub2.

P&P for a router was £6.99 (or £7.99) last I heard.

Brian

[#14]

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@vertex1 wrote:

I'm using an old Plusnet router from 15 years ago.

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@vertex1 

As you've had this 15 years, are you still on ADSL broadband, or have you upgraded to VDSL2+ (i.e. FTTC or SoGEA) ?

What upload and download results do you get from running a speedtest ?