Security Protections Badly Needed On Routers

New testing by Consumer Reports shows important differences in how routers from popular brands handle digital security. Some of the 29 routers we examined this spring and summer build in important safeguards, such as automatically updating their firmware with the latest security improvements. Such protections, available in routers including the Synology RT2600ac and Google Wifi AC1200 Dual-Band can make it harder for hackers to access a home network. Other models we tested were missing some basic protections that Consumer Reports endorses. For example, 11 routers—including the TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 and the Netgear AC1600 (R6260)—accept very weak passwords that many websites and workplace accounts would reject.