Secure home router.

[podkaracz1996]

What are the most secure options for a home router to achieve enterprise level of protection?

Is it pfsense/sophos firewalls with custom hardware or maybe unifi products?

How does it compare to asus routers since ive heard rumors about people targeting outdated models to create botnet in the recent days.



If I am willing to spend lets say 1000 dollars what are the most secure options for a device?
Another thing is that i would probably need to learn how to use linux to configure some of these.

 

[degrub]

disconnect the WAN cable. The user on the client side is the main weakness.

 

[Tech9]

Another thing is that i would probably need to learn how to use linux to configure some of these.

Linux skills are not needed, but there is a learning curve. Above average networking knowledge is good to have. Appliances with x86 CPU become somewhat affordable and popular choice for advanced users, pfSense/OPNsense is the usual router OS choice. Both have quite extensive WebUI with all the configuration options usually needed. Ubiquiti have updated the entire line of Gateway products some time ago introducing new levels of control and security measures. Also quite extensive WebUI with visual representation and AI involvement lately. Perhaps all of the above is better when running open to Internet services. Home routers are secure enough when locked down. @degrub is correct - the main threat usually comes from the user. Statistically over 90% of attacks originate from inside the network, user actions or compromised client device first.

 

[Tech9]

If I am willing to spend lets say 1000 dollars what are the most secure options for a device?

For All-In-One solution perhaps this is a good option without breaking the bank:

Dream Router 7 - Ubiquiti Store

Desktop 10G Cloud Gateway with integrated WiFi 7, PoE switch, microSD storage, and full UniFi application support.

store.ui.com

Gateway, Controller, Switch and Access Point in one device. It is targeted at home users at $279 regular price. Very easy to do the initial basic setup, becomes complex with advanced features. Offers similar to enterprise products level of protection, but if you want hours fast IDS signatures updates after vulnerabilities discovery - it's obviously paid subscription service* ($99/year, not too expensive). This device can monitor your network and send customized push notifications to your phone (online account required for this functionality).

* - Valid for all business class products. Someone has to tell your device what to look for. In most cases this someone is reputable Internet security company. Their services come at cost. Free services will update their signatures weeks/months later. May be too late.

 

[tgl]

My take: security in the current world is less about which equipment you buy than about how faithful you are about installing software updates. You don't want equipment for which the manufacturer doesn't issue security updates promptly, but then it's on you to install those updates before someone gets around to trying to attack you. This goes not only for the router but (as mentioned) for all your client devices that can access the internet.

 

[Tech9]

Most devices are updated after the fact someone found a way to get in. Doesn't help much. IDS with fast update signatures may help, but only if it sees the traffic and it costs money. SSL proxy may help with encrypted traffic, but usually introduces other issues and costs more money in expensive hardware. Enterprise security at home is a good idea, but may cost inconvenience. If I apply my business networks restrictions at home I'm facing different kind of issues. Find the balance.

 

[podkaracz1996]

Linux skills are not needed, but there is a learning curve. Above average networking knowledge is good to have. Appliances with x86 CPU become somewhat affordable and popular choice for advanced users, pfSense/OPNsense is the usual router OS choice. Both have quite extensive WebUI with all the configuration options usually needed. Ubiquiti have updated the entire line of Gateway products some time ago introducing new levels of control and security measures. Also quite extensive WebUI with visual representation and AI involvement lately. Perhaps all of the above is better when running open to Internet services. Home routers are secure enough when locked down. @degrub is correct - the main threat usually comes from the user. Statistically over 90% of attacks originate from inside the network, user actions or compromised client device first.

So when it comes to having services open to internet the Unifi you proposed is a safe bet compared to for example Asus?

 

[Tech9]

Nothing protects from unknown vulnerabilities.

UniFi OS is more locked down software not allowing the interventions possible with Asuswrt; IDS engine (Suricata) included signatures are updated daily (36 categories) or more frequently (50+ additional categories, CyberSecure by Proofpoint) with the optional paid subscription (AiProtection/ASD in Asuswrt is updated about once a month); built-in region blocking with monitoring (IP-blocker); more mature VLAN support for network segmentation (available in Asuswrt since 3006 and work-in-progress); much better compatibility to other UniFi devices (nodes, satellites, pods, etc. in consumer products are also in security equation); can monitor rogue APs around, rogue DNS servers, bait IP address (Honeypot); has very granular per application traffic filtering and monitoring; built-in DNS interception and redirection (when content filtering is active, by Cloudflare), extensive custom firewall rules in Zone-Based Firewall; sends push notifications to the administrator (customizable, including malicious activities), etc. It offers more built-in WAN and LAN tools so you can potentially protect yourself better with faster reaction time compared to consumer products. You can also potentially screw yourself up big time with the same tools if you don't know what are you doing.

 

[Clark Griswald]

You can also potentially screw yourself up big time with the same tools if you don't know what are you doing.

That's what is stopping me
Currently I don't have the money, time/learning curve for an environment switch from Asus to Ubiquity. The Griswald Family and "friends" lose their F'ing minds if the home network is down for more than a nanosecond.

 

[Tech9]

If you already know what breaks your network you're good. Powerful tools is nice to have, but some people tend to overdo the blocking and filtering and reduce significantly the user experience in home environment. UniFi has integrity checks and warnings pop up when the user it trying to lock himself, but this doesn't mean it's impossible with some persistence.

 

[Clark Griswald]

but this doesn't mean it's impossible with some persistence.

That sounds like a challenge and their Black Friday Sale makes the leap tempting, but I'm concerned about the lack of a Christmas Bonus 2025.

 

[Tech9]

Only if you really want/need full system control for VLAN, LAN port, SSID, etc. and you're not happy with current system stability. If you have what you need and get what you want - no rush. If you want integrated Access and Protect devices - top notch, but very expensive. I personally run my own NVR and cameras.