The Best Wired Router Review & Buyers Guide In 2021

What Is A Wired Router?

A wired router forwards data packets between two networks and performs the traffic directing functions on the Internet. This networking device also connects to two or more streams of data from various IP networks. The most familiar type of wired routers falls under the category of home and small office routers that simply regulate the flow of data packets between an internal network and an external network — the Internet.

Wired routers typically connect to the Internet through an Internet service provider (ISP). Traditionally, wired routers served as hardware firewall appliances. Today, these network devices integrate the characteristics of a hardware firewall solution with additional security features like VPN support, encryption, and DoS attack prevention.

How To Set Up Your Wired Router & Wired Network Security?

Wired routers integrate an intuitive user interface that enables you to gain full control of your wired network. While it’s easier to physically prevent intruders from connecting to a wired network than to a wireless network, today’s wired routers use a control panel where you can activate and change security features. Here are some ways to keep your wired network protected with a wired router secure.

#1 Change the default password

Wired routers come with a default password set at the factory. Your wired router will ask you to input the default password when you’re about to make changes to the settings using the control panel. Manufacturers usually put “admin” as the default password. Cybercriminals know this and may use the default password to access your wired router and change its settings. Change the default password with something hard to guess to prevent unauthorized access.

#2 Activate MAC address filtering

Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering can be activated using your wired router. MAC address consists of unique numbers and letters assigned to your wired router. Activating MAC address filtering provides wired network access to connected devices that have a specific MAC address. MAC addresses can be assigned to each device in your network and limit network access to those devices.

#3 Activate encryption

Encryption helps in protecting data transmitted over a wired network from unauthorized access. Wired routers employ different encryption techniques to ensure security especially when you are connected to the Internet. One of these techniques, VPN hides your credentials and online behavior from the prying eyes of cybercriminals.

#4 Protect your wired router from unauthorized access

Keep your wired router and other network devices like wireless routers, access points or gateways away from areas where other people can have access to them like exterior walls, doors, and windows. Turn off your wired network appliances when they are not in use, especially at night or during vacations.

#5 Protect the devices covered by your wireless router in your network

Remember that the wired network security that your wired router provides might become useless if the devices within have no security at the software level. Secure your devices with passwords and encrypt confidential files. Change passwords regularly. Disable file sharing. Most importantly, install security software on your devices. To identify which security software is the best for you, check out our dedicated review and buyers guide for antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-Trojan, software firewall solutions, and Internet security suites.

Things To Consider When Choosing Wired Router

Despite the necessity of wireless routers due to the growth of wireless devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops, wired routers remain relevant among homes and businesses. Wired networks backed by wired routers offer a simple yet proven secure environment than wireless networks. Hence, today’s market still offers a wide range of wired router options from various labels, carrying features that address the speed and security needs of users. Here are some of the key factors to consider when choosing and buying a wireless router.

Physical Connection

Most wired routers come with a set of four Gigabit Ethernet ports and one WAN port that connects to the ISP. But if you have more computers at home, you may consider getting a wired router with more ports or looking for a network switch. Some models also come with a USB port that can host a removable storage device like a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.

Internet Speed Supported

Now a standard among wired routers, Gigabit Ethernet promises to deliver up to 1Gbps Internet speed, depending on what the ISP promises. However, do note that some models, like the Mikrotik hEX S, have a 1.25Gbps SFP cage that can accommodate SFP modules for different types and speeds of Ethernet and fiber cables. Depending on your network requirements, you have other options aside from the standard Gigabit Ethernet connection.

Security Features

Traditionally, network administrators utilized routers as hardware firewall appliances. Fast forward to the present, many wired routers still employ stateful packet filtering (SPI) as a firewall technique. Apart from SPI, other network security features that are common among today’s wired routers include network administrator control, VPN support, encryption, and DoS attack protection. These features play an important role in network security but users must also make sure that individual computers and devices in the network run security software like antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-Trojan, software firewall solutions, and Internet security suites.

Price

Buyers must look back at all of the features of the wired routers they are comparing and see if they go consistent with their respective price tags. Pick the router that supports the right Internet speed, carries adequate wired connectivity options, and comes with security features that go well with your network requirements.