Stop Using Your Router's Usb Port - What Pc Experts Recommend Instead

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Your router whitethorn person USB ports connected nan back, but I don't urge utilizing them.
• These inputs often tally connected outdated, susceptible protocols that could springiness cybercriminals entree to delicate files and accusation connected your network.
• If you're willing successful a cardinal retention platform, location are amended options retired there.

Ever wondered what nan USB-A larboard connected nan backmost of your Wi-Fi router is for? Several things, depending connected nan model. For example, nan larboard connected nan Asus RT-BE86U router tin beryllium utilized for basal record sharing crossed your network, charging mini devices, and arsenic a waypoint for backing up your machine to an outer drive. 

But here's nan truth: I don't urge utilizing it. Having a USB larboard connected nan router sounds convenient, but location are a fewer problems.

Also: The correct measurement to tally an net velocity tests (and really to usage nan results for faster Wi-Fi)

The truth is that USB ports connected routers aren't secure. Many of them run connected outdated protocols, creating vulnerabilities that tin beryllium exploited by bad actors. This doesn't mean nan full router is compromised, but nan USB larboard tin beryllium a anemic link. Using it is not a consequence worthy taking, particularly erstwhile safer alternatives are available.

Let's break down nan biggest reasons you should debar utilizing nan USB larboard connected your router and what to do instead.

1. It's a information risk

route

Cliff Joseph / ZDNet

When I opportunity "outdated protocols", I americium mostly referring to FTP aliases File Transfer Protocol. It's an aged protocol from nan 1970s that doesn't usage immoderate benignant of encryption; moreover transmitting passwords successful plain text. FTP has been wide replaced by nan HTTPS protocol, but moreover caller routers, for illustration the Asus RT-BE86U, person ports that usage it. 

 As Progress Software points out, a bad character could easy return those credentials pinch nan correct method know-how, moreover perchance gaining entree to your network. 

Also: Should you upgrade your accepted Wi-Fi router to mesh? I compared nan two, and here's my take

Another 1 to watch retired for is SMBv1 (Server Message Block type 1). It's different file-sharing protocol that was notably exploited by nan WannaCry ransomware successful 2017, infecting hundreds of thousands of systems worldwide. 

Microsoft has been urging companies and IT professionals to disable nan bequest protocols -- and their usage has so dropped -- but they still beryllium connected devices successful people's homes. Add nan truth that malware becomes much blase twelvemonth aft year, and it's excessively risky to trust connected these protocols for record transportation complete a router.

2. It's unreliable

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

This is going to sound obvious, but nan superior intent of a router is to found and negociate a wireless network. That's what nan hardware and package are optimized for. It's erstwhile once a router deviates from its superior purpose, that nan value of nan exertion deteriorates.

Also: Your location Wi-Fi isn't astir arsenic backstage arsenic it should beryllium - 6 free ways to fastener it down

Most user models don't person nan processing powerfulness to grip some their normal networking tasks and record transfers simultaneously. When nan router is juggling aggregate workloads, you whitethorn encounter:

• Slow wireless speeds
• Latency spikes
• Connection drops
• File transportation failures

That past introduction tin travel successful aggregate forms. It's imaginable that only portion of nan record will transfer, that it gets dropped, aliases worse, corrupted. To guarantee that connections enactment stable, debar utilizing nan USB port, particularly if you ain an older router.

Also: Forget burner phones - you tin subordinate this caller bearer pinch conscionable a ZIP codification (no ID necessary)

Articles from arsenic acold backmost arsenic 2013 constituent retired that nan USB 3.0 modular interferes pinch 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signals. Technology has improved dramatically since then, but it's still thing to beryllium mindful of.

Another imaginable rumor is overheating. The added electrical load puts other strain connected nan hardware, expanding soul temperatures, which tin past consequence successful capacity throttling. High power doesn't conscionable impact nan router successful nan moment; it tin besides shorten nan device's lifespan.

What I urge instead

If you want reliable record sharing and media retention for your house, location are acold safer and amended alternatives.

Buy a NAS

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Your champion action is to put successful a NAS (Network-Attached Storage), which is fundamentally a mini server for your home. While an outer hardware thrust tin do thing similar, a NAS provides 1 awesome advantage: beardown information protection.

NAS devices commonly support AES-256 encryption to safeguard delicate files and data. Many models besides support RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks). This exertion distributes information crossed aggregate NAS drives, ensuring your files stay safe moreover if 1 of nan drives fails unexpectedly. 

Also: Looking for a tin NAS? Here's 1 I urge (but it's not for beginners)

If you're interested, I highly urge checking retired ZDNET's database of nan best network-attached retention devices you tin buy. The TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus presently holds nan apical proposal owed to its quiet operation, bully performance, and compact size. It does costs complete $800, though. For a much budget-friendly option, nan QNAP TS-233-US 2-Bay is your champion choice.

Invest successful unreality storage

Proton

Another bully replacement is to usage unreality retention alternatively than relying connected section drives. These platforms securely shop files, photos, and videos online, making them accessible connected conscionable astir immoderate instrumentality pinch an net connection. Even better: astir providers person free retention plans. 

Google has 1 of nan best, giving users 15GB astatine nary cost, while Apple's iCloud and Microsoft's OneDrive each supply 5GB of space. As awesome arsenic these plans are, they capable up quickly. All 3 connection paid subscriptions that grow your disposable space.

Also: Which unreality retention work should you bargain successful 2025? I compared nan champion options, and here's my pick

I besides want to springiness a connection of warning, here. You whitethorn travel crossed less-known unreality retention providers advertizing an unusually ample magnitude of free space, up to 1TB. While galore of these services present nan retention they promise, they raise a batch of reddish flags. You'll find galore forum posts questioning nan legitimacy and information of these services, truthful I impulse caution. 

How to usage nan the USB larboard safely

If you insist connected utilizing your router's USB port, location are 2 important precautions to follow. First, only usage it for non-critical files. Don't stock aliases transportation thing delicate done nan port. Stick to low-risk content, specified arsenic movies you want to stock pinch others successful your household.

Secondly, instal firmware updates arsenic soon arsenic they go disposable to spot up immoderate information issues and support stability. That's assuming your router is still receiving updates. Router manufacturers will driblet support for older models. If your instrumentality is nary longer supported, cheque retired my database of nan five products I urge to amended your Wi-Fi.