Question: I have an old wireless router, and I mean stone age old (5 years). There is nothing wrong technically with the router, it serves my wireless needs at home but it is really darn old. A search on Belkin's site for F5D7230-4 actually turns up a different old model so I scrounged up this old review for you to get a sense of what I'm running: <http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1572451,00.asp>. 

Is there a valid security reason to replace this router in 2009? Google searches have turned up a few security threats to it and Belkin hasn't released new firmeware in years for it. I am starting to think I should replace it mainly because its NAT is about the only thing protecting me from the outside world.

Buying a new wireless router is a boring way to spend money since it just sits on a shelf doing its job. Thoughts?

Answer: 
I completely agree with [**@cwrea**](https://superuser.com/questions/19332/should-i-upgrade-my-old-wireless-router/19334#19334) - if it only supports older, less secure protocols, it's time to upgrade.

You mention you're using WPA-PSK, which is version 1. The only reason not to upgrade to WPA2 is if some of your devices can't connect to it (e.g., My old Dell Axim PDA can't do past WPA). 

If you aren't going to upgrade to an N router, I would recommend the [Linksys WRT54GL router](http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WRT54GL). I have one and they're a solid performer, and if you're into customization, you can load the [Tomato Firmware](http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato) or [DD-WRT firmware](http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/index.php) onto the router and enable all kinds of super-advanced options like antenna power, etc. One of my favorite sites, Lifehacker, provided guides for using [Tomato](http://lifehacker.com/344765/turn-your-60-router-into-a-user+friendly-super+router-with-tomato) and [DD-WRT](http://lifehacker.com/178132/hack-attack-turn-your-60-router-into-a-600-router).

If you're ready to go the N route (haha, route... router... get it?), Linksys has a multitude of sexy, fancy routers. I personally fancy the [WRT160NL with StorageLink](http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WRT160NL) (a USB port for easy-as-pie network storage).
If your router uses only [WPA](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access) (Wi-Fi Protected Access) version 1, or worse [WEP](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wired_Equivalent_Privacy) (Wired Equivalent Privacy), then yes, **it is time to upgrade your wireless router** to something that can do WPA2. Both of the earlier encryption protocols have [known](http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1814) [vulnerabilities](http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3784251). WEP can reportedly be *cracked in 60 seconds* (maybe less!)