DIY: Turn Your Cheap Router 150$ into an 800$ Security Router

by Jason Miller

What’s the difference between a $150 broadband router and an $800 ‘security’ router? The answer, as often as not, is “nothing”. Or at least when it comes to the hardware. What makes a router a ‘security router’ is the software installed on it — the support for VPNs, content management, VLANs, advanced bandwidth reporting and quality of service, RADIUS authentication support, SNMP management and USB 3G/LTE support.
All those things are implemented in software, and you can have them on your inexpensive router just by updating your firmware. The firmware in question is not stock stuff. Instead, it’s open-source firmware that’s designed to completely replace that which came built into your router. Installing it will completely change the router interface. Your router management mobile apps will no longer work. The web address you use to manage the router may change. And in a lot of cases, management of the router will become more technical. That’s the price you will pay for adding a whole host of new features to your inexpensive router.

8 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2017

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