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Wireless Router Guide
After links to comparative and individual product reviews, we also offer links to articles on Getting Started & How-To, wireless security, and networking utility and security software. For information on and tools for wireless hot spots, see our Mobile Security page.Choices -- Wireless routers with Internet connection sharing, networking and firewall features are an alternative to Wired routers or Networking Software. Wireless routers are actually wired routers with wireless access points built in so you can have wired and/or wireless at the same time. Another choice is a wireless router with a built-in DSL or cable modem. Finally, you can consider a hardware and software security combo box to connect and protect your home network, see our Broadband Gateways page for more information.
Security -- Wireless routers are not as secure as hard wired. If you want wireless and security, read the security articles on this page and be prepared to spend some time setting up the security features of your wireless network. To make this easier, look at getting started and wireless utility software.
Testing -- We recommend that you test the firewall features of a wireless router after installation and setup using an online service like Security Space.
Firmware -- Router vendors offer updates for their firmware to add new features and to resolve problems found by their customers. After installing a new router or updating to Windows 7, check for updates.
Prices -- For current prices, see our custom Wireless Routers Price List
Comparative Wireless Router Reviews
- How to Buy a Wireless Router, Samara Lynn, PC Magazine, July 15, 2010 -- editor's choices included Cisco Valet Plus, D-Link DIR-825 Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router, D-Link Xtreme N Duo Media Router (DIR-855), D-Link Xtreme N Storage Router (DIR-685), Linksys by Cisco Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router WRT320N.
- Wireless Routers Review 2010 -- 10 products, TopTenReviews
- Wireless Router Reviews, Consumer Search, updated October 2009
Cisco / Linksys Routers March 2010 Changes
- Inside Story: Linksys E-series and Cisco Valet, Tim Higgins, Small Net Builder, March 31, 2010
- Cisco announces E-Series wireless routers, Dong Ngo, CNet, March 30, 2010
- Feeling at Home With a Router [Valet M10], Walter Mossberg, Wall Street Journal, MARCH 31, 2010
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Cisco Valet |
Linksys Wireless -- The old Linksys wrt310n = new Cisco Valet Plus M20; the old
wrt320n = new E2000; and the old wrt610n = new E3000...
- New To The Charts: Cisco Linksys E1000 Wireless-N Router, Tim Higgins, Small Net Builder, June 10, 2010
- Cisco Linksys E3000 High Performance Wireless-N Router Reviewed, Tim Higgins, Small Net Builder, May 7, 2010
- Cisco Linksys E3000, Dong Ngo, CNet, April 16, 2010
- Cisco Valet M10 Wireless HotSpot Reviewed, Craig Ellison, Small Net Builder, April 12, 2010
- Cisco Valet Plus, Dong Ngo, CNet, April 9, 2010
- Cisco Valet Plus, Samara Lynn, PC Magazine, March 31, 2010 -- Editor's Choice
Individual Wireless Router Reviews
- Belkin N+ Wireless Router F5D8235-4, Becky Waring, PC World, May 25, 2009 -- rated "very good"
- Belkin N+ Wireless Router (F5D8235-4), Mario Morejon, PC Magazine, March 16, 2009 -- rated "fair"
- Belkin N+ Wireless Router, John Delaney, Computer Shopper, January 2009 -- rated 7.3 (out of 10)
- D-Link RangeBooster N Dual Band Router (DIR-628), Mario Morejon, PC Magazine, March 19, 2009 -- rated "very good"
- D-Link RangeBooster N Dual Band Router (DIR-628), Josh Norem, Computer Shopper, July 2008 -- "Editor's Choice" rated 9 (out of ten)
- Dual-ban N on the Cheap: D-Link DIR-628 RangeBooster N Dual Band Router Reviewed, Tim Higgins, Small Net Builder, June 26, 2008
- D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router Review, Becky Waring, PC World, May 25, 2009
- D-LInk KIR-655 A4 Quick Review, Tim Higgins, Small Net Builder, February 10, 2009 -- "Its good wireless performance, stable operation, gigabit switch, high routing throughput and automatic uplink QoS continue to make it the go-to draft 802.11n router."
- D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router, ConsumerSearch.com, best wireless router overall, June 2008
Note: The optional Secure Spot 2.0 security package available directly from D-Link adds parental controls, safe surfing/searching, remote management, anti-virus/antispyware protection with McAfee® technology, internet usage time scheduling and activity reporting, web-managed firewall, access control for Internet usage, application control (blocking and scheduling), spam control and identity protection.
- D-Link DIR-825 Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router, Mario Morejon, PC Magazine, March 30, 2009 -- "Editor's Choice"
- Review D-Link DIR-825 Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router, Troy Drier, Wi-FiPlanet, November 25, 2008 -- "perfect choice for video-enthusiast households"
- D-Link DIR-825 Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router: Second Time's the Charm? Tim Higgins, Small Net Builder, October 2, 2008 -- not recommended
- D-Link Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router DIR-825, Dong Ngo, CNet, October 27, 2008 -- rated "very good"
- Review: Netgear RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router WNDR3700, Joseph Moran, Wi-Fi Planet, November 10, 2009
- Netgear WNDR3700 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (Premium Edition), Dong Ngo, CNet, September 23, 2009 -- rated "very good"
- Gentlemen, Start Your Buying: NETGEAR WNDR3700 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router Reviewed, Tim Higgins, Small Net Builder, September 15, 2009
Getting Started & How-To
- 6 Annoying Router Problems - And How to Fix Them, David Strom, Computerworld, PC World, June 17, 2010
- The Ultimate Guide to Home Networking, Loyd Case, PC World, May 11, 2010
- You MUST Own a Wireless Router, Eric Griffith and Mario Morejon, PC Magazine, September 30, 2009
- How to Buy a Wi-Fi Router, Mario Morejon, PC Magazine, September 10, 2009
- How To Buy a Wireless Router: The Short Version, Tim Higgins, SmallNetBuilder, August 25, 2009
- Learn How To Buy A Wireless Router, Aaron Weiss, Practically Networked, August 13, 2009
- How To Configure Your Router for Gaming, Jason Cross, extremetech, June 17, 2009
- Better Together: Wi-Fi and Powerline Networking, Becky Waring, PC World, May 25, 2009
- 7 Wireless Router Problems And How To Solve Them, Bill O'Brien, InformationWeek, April 11, 2009
- Home Networking in 5 Easy Steps, Oliver Rist and Eric Griffith, PC Magazine, March 16, 2009
- Wi-Fi Superguide: How to Build the Ultimate Wireless Network, Zack Stern, PC World, March 11, 2009
Wireless Router Security
- The Best Security for Wireless Networks, Michael Horowitz, eSecurityPlanet, September 8, 2009
- How to secure your home network (including Macs), Glenn Fleishman, MacWorld, May 8, 2009
- How to: Prevent, Detect, and Recover from Router Worms, Eric Geier, Wi-Fi Planet, April 10, 2009
- Nasty New Worm Targets Home Routers, Cable Modems, Ian Paul, PC World, March 25, 2009
Networking Utility and Security Software
- Downloads for Managing Your Network, Preston Gralla, PC World, September 15, 2009
- HomeNet Manager, SingleClick Systems
- McAfee Wireless Security 2006, (formerly WSC Guard from the Wireless Security Corporation)
- McAfee Wireless Home Network Security 2006, Tony Bradley, netsecurity.about.com
- NetTrooper, Sereniti
- Practically Networked review, Joseph Moran, March 14, 2007
- Network Magic, Cisco
- Network Magic Pro 5.5, Eric Geier, Practically Networked, October 29, 2009
- Cisco Network Magic Pro 5.5, Mario Morejon, PC Magazine, June 5, 2009 -- editor's choice
- Cisco's Network Magic gets a face-lift, Dong Ngo, CNet, May 12, 2009
- Packet Protector is a Linux distribution for wireless routers, built on top of OpenWrt. The goal of the project is to transform a router into a unified threat management device.
