Researchers examined 127 router models for end-users for security vulnerabilities – and found them in every single model. After all, one manufacturer clearly did the best in the comparison.
Security researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics have a total of 127 router models for private users from seven large manufacturers represented in Europe Vulnerabilities examined. Unfortunately, none of the models tested was free from weaknesses.
In their investigation, the researchers focused primarily on a few key questions, such as how often a device is used Updates which burglar protections the manufacturers use or whether permanently installed access data could pose a security problem.
The researchers are alarmed by the results
The results are sometimes alarming, according to the researchers: 46 Router haven’t received a single security update in the past year and many routers have been affected by hundreds of known security vulnerabilities. Defense mechanisms would hardly be used, and in addition, easily crackable or even known passwords would be permanently built into some models without the user being able to change them. Another big problem is that many devices use an older Linux version as the operating system. Most devices still use the Linux kernel 2.6, which has not been maintained for many years.
It can be seen that manufacturers prioritize the topic of security quite differently. In particular, the Berlin company AVM – manufacturer of the FritzBox router – is doing a better job than its competitors in terms of most security aspects. However, AVM’s routers are not entirely without errors. In addition, routers from ASUS and Netgear after all, superior to those of the manufacturers D-Link, Linksys, TP-Link and Zyxel in some safety-relevant areas.
Overall, however, none of the routers tested could be considered completely secure in all areas. It would take a lot more effort on the part of the manufacturers so that home devices are as safe as those for servers.
– .
