A lot of the time, you don't know when your router will stop working.
Every home has a router that sends all of its internet traffic, including passwords, bank transactions, messages, and data from connected devices.
But it's also the device that gets the least attention after it's been set up. Most users don't know if it's working right or if it has gotten any new features.
It's important to remember that this situation has effects because the router doesn't get permanent security support.
During the device's technical support period, which lasts three to five years from the date it was released, manufacturers release security updates to fix vulnerabilities.
Companies stop giving updates without warning after this time period ends. The device still works fine, but any security holes that are found later are not fixed.
The issue is that most people keep their routers for about seven years. This means that there is a two-year gap between the five years of support and the seven years of actual use. Because of this, most routers that are still in use haven't had any security updates in years.
What happens if you use a router without good technical support?
It is important to note that a router that does not receive updates is not just an outdated device but an entry point to the entire network and contains documented and publicly known security vulnerabilities.
Any device connected to this network is at risk, such as mobile phones, computers, smart TVs, surveillance cameras, and others.
Therefore, the hacker does not need physical access or to install anything; it is enough to exploit a known vulnerability in the router's firmware to intercept traffic, redirect communications, or access devices on the network.
Many users rely on the router provided by their internet service provider, assuming it is always up-to-date since it is managed by the company. However, this is not always the case.
Internet service providers do not update all routers with the same regularity, and a device installed four or five years ago may lack security updates.
How to check if your router is up to date.
Accessing your router's control panel requires no technical knowledge. Simply type 192.168.1.1 into your browser's address bar and use the credentials found on the label on the bottom of the device.
In the control panel, the Firmware or System Updates section displays the installed version. Similarly, you can check the manufacturer's official website using your device's model number to find out the date of the last available update for that model.
If the device is more than three years old, it is likely beyond the scope of standard technical support. If it is more than five years old, it is highly probable that it has been exposed to security vulnerabilities for an extended period and will not be patched.
In this case, the first step is to check for any pending updates, but if the device has not been supported for years, no updates will be available, and the only solution is to replace it.
This problem has been known in the field of cybersecurity for years, but it remains hidden from most users.
The reason is that manufacturers have no incentive to inform users when support for their products is discontinued, network operators do not report on the status of the devices they manage, and users assume that a working device is a secure device.
Knowing the age of your home router and when its firmware was last updated is the first step to getting out of this situation, and it's also the easiest.