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Home Network Router Security Secrets

Article is provided courtesy of Que.
Date: Apr 7, 2006.

Article Information

Article Description

Ever delve inside your home network routers and use the hidden security settings that can lock down a network nice and tight? Most people never do. Andy Walker reveals 10 secrets on how to easily access your router's security settings.

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7. Update your firmware.

Firmware is the software that operates inside your router. And just like software on your computer, occasionally it needs to be updated because software bugs need to be patched. Your router manufacturer will periodically issue firmware updates on its website, so it’s worth checking every quarter to see if anything new has been issued. On the DI-524, click the link on the Tools tab then the Firmware button for a link to DLink’s support site where you can download the new firmware file (see Figure 8). Then browse from the Firmware Settings page on the router to the firmware file on your hard drive, and click Apply to install it on your router. It’s a good idea to do this over a wired connection. A failed installation will stop the router from booting, and you’ll have to reset the factory default.

Figure 8 Updating firmware inside the router fixes bugs and improves security.

8. Reset the factory default | Next Section Previous Section

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