Do I need to worry about the privacy and security of an old router used as an access point?

Questions
1

I have a pair of ASUS RT-AC86U routers. I don’t even know if Asus is still updating the router. My understanding is that OpenWRT doesn’t support it. Are there any third-party firmwares that do? If not, I’ll install the latest Asus/Merlin firmware that the ASUS RT-AC86U will support and then turn it into an access point. The ASUS RT-AC86U also has additional ports like Ethernet and USB. I’m hoping to connect devices to the LAN ports and then it’ll get Internet as a result of the ASUS RT-AC86U. As an access point/repeater, it’ll be connected to a modern and current router like the GL.iNet Flint 2. Are there any privacy or security concerns with this?

2

it just got an update in March, not the best but not the worst either: https://www.asus.com/us/networking-iot-servers/wifi-routers/asus-wifi-routers/rt-ac86u/helpdesk_bios?model2Name=RT-AC86U

1 Like
3

I agree too, but in terms of privacy and security, is there anything to worry about the Asus RT-AC86U? At this point, I’ll either connect it as an access point to a GL.iNet, OpenWRT, or an OPNsense router. What do you think?

4

Your current firewall/router should protect it from the internet, but if someone can breach your network perimeter through some other device on your network then it could be targeted. Disabling UPnP is important.

On the other hand, the “zero-trust” framework of security would say perimeter security like relying on your edge firewall is basically useless though.

1 Like
5

My networking knowledge is obviously not at your level so please help me out here with my understanding.

How do you see the network perimeter being penetrated? I can’t imagine this being done physically unless it’s the police armed with a search warrant. If it’s someone outside trying to hack, maybe, but wouldn’t they have to get through a properly configured OPNsense/OpenWRT router?

In terms of privacy and security, I mostly see discussions on the router and not the access point. I wonder why.

Would enabling access point isolation help?

I don’t know what you mean by edge firewall.

6

Like if you have a router, and then you have your computer and this access point behind the router, and then you somehow download malware on your computer, maybe that malware would target your unsecure access point. And since it could do so from your computer, your OPNsense/OpenWRT router would never even know about it.

1 Like
7

If not, would you say the access point is relatively safe? I’m wondering if telemetry is an issue here.