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: 
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!)
Don't know why people insist on "wireless security". While this wireless technology is broadcasting (rather than some future wireless technology which might be point to point curved in space - picture a ether-cable if you will), there is no real secure way to do it. Plus what's to worry about?

If you really want to secure your data, do it so on your machines. Use passwords there. And backups. Tho I still vow for the best way for securing data is hiding it under your nose, at open.

But if you insist in upgrading, which isn't a bad idea, I'd suggest to get [Fonera](http://www.fon.com/en/)! I can never get tired of promoting it even though I haven't tried it myself! :P

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/OUpqR.jpg)

The idea is it sets up two networks. One is open and free internet for anyone, which you can configure to be wide open or pay to use. The second is your local network, which can also be open, but its default is WPA2 or whatever you want to put a key on. Now this is what every router should do!