I’ve been using my home “Wi-Fi router” for “about 10 years” is pretty bad.

“A malicious hacker could exploit the vulnerability and hijack the router’s administrative privileges. What happens if it is hijacked? For example, a hacker could direct you to a fake website via your home router and steal your login information.

Here is a case in point.

In the fall of 2010, an investigation by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department revealed that the home router of a man in his 30s living in Tokyo was the source of a cyber attack on a major Tokyo company. It was eventually discovered that the attacker had gained unauthorized access to the man’s router in some way, and the Metropolitan Police Department reportedly concluded that the router at the man’s home was most likely misused in the cyber attack against the large company.

The police concluded that the router at the man’s home was likely used in a cyber-attack against a large company.

If you are victimized, no one will compensate you,” he said. That’s why users have to update their firmware regularly.

Almost all entry-level Wi-Fi6-compatible routers released after 2009 should have an automatic firmware update function.

Many Wi-Fi5-compatible routers will have models that require manual updating on a regular basis. It is a good idea to check the manufacturer’s website to see if it supports automatic updates.”

Recommendation: “(1) Wi-Fi6 compatible, (2) capable of connecting 30 to 40 devices simultaneously, and (3) priced around 10,000 yen.

Even if you are not experiencing any inconvenience or problems at this point, you may want to consider replacing a Wi-Fi router that is nearing the end of its useful life. So, what are the key points to check when selecting a product?

The Wi-Fi routers currently sold at electronics retailers and e-commerce sites come in four communication standards: Wi-Fi5, Wi-Fi6, Wi-Fi6E, and Wi-Fi7. If you have to choose now, I recommend a Wi-Fi 6 router, because devices supporting 6 are the most widely used.

Wi-Fi7 is the newest standard, which was released last year, so it is more expensive. It is also still limited in the number of devices that support it.

While Wi-Fi7 has the advantage of high-speed communication, Wi-Fi6 is sufficient for watching Netflix. Even the recently released game “Monster Hunter Wilds” can be downloaded in about 10 minutes on Wi-Fi6 if the line is not busy, according to our calculations.

Nowadays, individuals or families often use multiple devices such as PCs, smartphones, and tablets, and IoT appliances are also increasing. The number of devices and the number of people using them is another key factor in selecting a router, he said.

Each router has a fixed number of devices that can be connected at the same time. For example, if four family members each use a smartphone or computer to watch YouTube videos or play games, and a printer, TV, refrigerator, etc. are also connected to the Wi-Fi network, the limit will be exceeded and communication may become unstable or slow.

If you expect to connect more devices and IoT appliances in the future, it would be better to choose a model that has a sufficient number of devices that can be connected.

So, what kind of Wi-Fi router does Mr. Shinohara recommend for a family of four living in an apartment?

He recommends buying a Wi-Fi router that supports Wi-Fi 6, can connect 30 to 40 devices at the same time, and costs around 10,000 yen. A domestic manufacturer’s product will give you more peace of mind when you need support.

I use a Buffalo router, but I recommend NEC’s Aterm for its high stability.”

Shuji Shinohara is an IT freelance writer. He specializes in verifying inflammatory incidents and hoaxes mainly on the Internet.