The Hidden Danger of Old Home Routers: When “It Still Works” Isn’t Safe

Just because your home router still connects to the internet doesn’t mean it’s safe.

In fact, older consumer routers—especially those over 3–5 years old—are one of the most overlooked risks in personal cybersecurity. Manufacturers often stop releasing updates for these devices, leaving behind known vulnerabilities that are freely circulating in the wild.

Why It Matters

These devices may:

• Still be working fine from your perspective

• Still be sold online or on clearance shelves

• Still get reused when someone upgrades and passes them on

But if the last firmware release was years ago, there’s a good chance it’s riddled with unpatched security holes. Some common vulnerabilities include:

• Remote code execution exploits

• Default password backdoors

• Weak admin interfaces accessible from the WAN (internet-facing)

• No support for modern encryption or DNS filtering

Attackers scan the internet constantly for these devices, especially using automated tools. Once compromised, your router can:

• Be used to spy on or reroute your traffic

• Be enrolled in a botnet (e.g., Mirai, Mozi, etc.)

• Serve malware to your devices from inside your home

• Open the door for phishing or man-in-the-middle attacks

How to Check If You’re at Risk

1. Log in to your router and check the model and firmware version.

2. Visit the manufacturer’s website and look for firmware updates.

3. If the last firmware is older than 2 years, it may be unsupported.

4. Google your router model + “CVE” or “exploit” to see if it’s known to be vulnerable.

What You Can Do

• Replace unsupported routers with actively supported models. I often recommend business-grade or pro-consumer equipment for better longevity.

• Disable remote management and UPnP if not needed.

• Use strong admin passwords and avoid using default credentials.

• Segment your network (guest vs. home devices, IoT, etc.)

• Use secure DNS services that help block known malicious sites.