First let me explain that a router connects to other devices (your TV, computer, phone, etc.) and allows the devices to communicate with each other and the internet. Usually you call it your home “wifi”.
In the following picture you can see the router and a modem. The modem is a device that directly connects to your phone line, cable service, or satellite to move the data back and forth to the internet.
Sometimes the router and a modem are the same device/equipment (mine is an Xfinity Gateway). This is often the case if you rent your Wi-Fi device from your internet service provider.
I personally rent my equipment because we were having so many problems with our internet connection and I was tired of the cable company blaming it on my modem/router. It’s more expensive to rent, but at least I don’t have them making excuses and I don’t have to update the software on it. (These days the equipment software automatically updates so that’s not much of a factor.)
If you have your own modem and/or router it’s very important that it is still supported by the manufacturer. This mean the manufacturer keeps the software updated to prevent internet criminals (sometimes called hackers) from entering your devices.
Unsupported or out-of-date equipment allow hackers to take over your devices and/or digitally enter your home where they can get into your computer or other home devices.
The FBI issued a warning that the following old routers are end-of-life (EOL) meaning either they aren’t manufactured or they aren’t supported by the manufacturers any more. (Manufacturers define EOL and End of Support/EOS differently so always check their websites.)
If you have any of the following equipment, or some other older equipment, please check the manufacturer’s website.
- Cradlepoint E100
- Cradlepoint E300
- Linksys E1000
- Linksys E1200
- Linksys E1500
- Linksys E1550
- Linksys E2500
- Linksys E3200
- Linksys E4200
- Linksys WRT320N
- Linksys WRT610N
- Linksys WRT310N
- Cisco Valet M10
If you aren’t sure whether your equipment is out of support, do a Google search with the device name, model number, and then “end of support date”. For example, I typed “linksys e2500 end of life date” and it took me to this page.
I read their definitions for EOL (last manufacturer date) and EOS (last date they will update the software). Then I scrolled to the bottom and typed “e2500” in the search box.
The Linksys E2500 model has many different SKUs and there are many different end-of-support dates. If I had this router I would need to look at it’s label to see exactly which SKU I had at home because some of them are still supported until 2028.
If you have specific questions on whether your personally-owned equipment is supported, please email me and I’ll try to help.