Episode #10
Linksys Fails to Work

I purchased a Linksys router WRVS4400N. As I installed and set up the router I began doing security testing to ensure I am protected. I was using Steve Gibson’s shields up & leak test 1.2, and to my amazement, I found that port 443 remained always open. I spoke with tech support of Linksys,they; They knew about port 443 remaining always open, since it was first released; and many customers also complained about the same issue I was having. Linksys gave the impression that they were not going to fix it. Linksys have good routers, But I can not believe that they told me that. So I am returning back the router, and I also advised the vendor to stop selling the router because it is not safe to use. Can you please recommend me another router with gigabyte switch 10/100/1000. I would like to update my present router. I have skype and msn.

Andrew, Montreal, QC



The big problem with blocking port 443 on your router is that it will effectively disable any SSL encrypted connections, meaning you’ll effectively kill off your ability to do online banking, online shopping, and any other transaction that uses security. True: if you leave that port open, it means that someone will be able to tell that there’s a router at that particular IP address — but so long as you keep your router’s Network Address Translation feature turned on, there’s no way to tell if there’s actually a computer beyond the router. For security reasons, you should definitely change the master password to your router, to make sure no one is able to get remote access to it from the Internet.

Bookmark/Send this is post
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Propeller
  • Reddit
  • Magnoliacom
  • Newsvine
  • Furl
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Yahoo
  • Technorati
  • Icerocket