Security tip: 5 reasons you need to replace your router now

Your router is responsible for sending Wi-Fi signals to your phone, laptop, smart TV, security cameras and more. This makes you especially vulnerable if your router is hacked. Yes, that can happen.

Chinese threat actors are going after routers, telephone networks and online storage and using their combined power to target critical and military targets, steal login credentials and hijack banking information. Tap or click here to secure your home network.

Securing your router is one of the most important steps to keeping hackers out. But there’s a limit to what your old router can do, no matter how well you take care of it. Do you need a new router? Read on to find out.

1. How secure is your router?

You know the adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Well, this doesn’t usually apply to tech, especially when it comes to cybersecurity. Your router may be doing a fine job keeping you connected to the internet, but is it keeping you safe?

The latest security standard is WPA-3, released in 2018. If you’re still using a router that uses WPA-2 encryption, it’s time to switch.

You can run an encryption check on your router. Go to your router’s admin menu. Under the Wireless or Security menu, you’ll see the encryption status. If you have an older router, select one that starts with WPA3. If your router is not WPA3 compatible, WPA2-PSK AES is the next most secure option. Still, you should upgrade as soon as you can.

RELATED: Free check to see if your router has been hacked by criminals

2. Future-proofing your network

Wi-Fi 6 significantly improves over the Wi-Fi 5 routers most people still use. You get improvements in two critical categories: speed and range. Wi-Fi 6 routers are a considerable upgrade compared to old technology and are no longer overly expensive or hard to find.

If you have a lot of connected technology, such as your phone, computer, smart TV and smart home devices, you put a lot of strain on your network. Wi-Fi 6 can handle as many as 50 devices or more. Compare that to the 10-device limit of Wi-Fi 5.

There’s something even better than Wi-Fi 6, though not many devices can utilize it yet. Wi-Fi 6 uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, while Wi-Fi 6e operates on the 6 GHz band. You’ll find this tech built into many mesh networks, which we’ll get into below.

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Watch out for this malware that can hijack your email threads

New malware presents a headache for security researchers, as teams often rush to find ways to block them. This would involve reverse-engineering the malware to figure out how it works, its capabilities and dangers to the public.

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Hackers have a clever new way to steal your login details - Don't open this PDF!

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Hackers are targeting the COVID-19 vaccine distribution chain

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Real-life examples hackers and scammers are using to steal your login credentials
Sekoia via BleepingComputer.com

Take a good look at these real-life examples hackers and scammers are using right now to steal your login credentials.

The common mistake that will lock you out of your own Netflix account

Since the pandemic began, streaming services have become more popular than ever with a major surge in the number of subscriptions. Netflix alone added 15.6 million new paid subscribers in the first quarter of 2020.

But, are you utilizing everything Netflix has to offer? There are tons of hidden features that not everyone knows about like secret discovery codes and how to download shows to view offline. Tap or click here for 7 Netflix pro tips.

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Privacy checkup: 5 simple ways to protect yourself in just a few minutes

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