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Not everyone knows that the Router is the device that not only gives us the opportunity to connect to the Internet but is also our first line of defense from the outside world. We can imagine the Router as our front door that allows or blocks access to our apartment. Nowadays, everyone has a reinforced door to prevent unwanted access (thieves), and in the same way, our router, besides allowing us to access the internet, can let two types of people into our network (home): as mentioned before, thieves, but also companies that want at all costs to gain access to information about us in order to manipulate us and profit from that information, which can also be used against us. That is why it is necessary to have a much more protective tool than the router provided by our internet providers, which does not guarantee us any security.
The purpose of the router given on loan or as a gift is only one: connection and control of our access. In fact, if we use the router provided by ISPs, we will not even have control over the DNS servers (servers that allow browsing), we will not be able to change almost any parameter, and we certainly will not have control over the security of our network.
Thanks to OpenWRT we have the possibility to create a router that has the following features:
1. Router
2. Firewall
3. Wifi Access Point
4. AdBlocker
5. Access Control
6. Significant increase in connection speed
7. Full control of the parameters to be set
8. No remote control of our router
9. Possibility to manage network traffic
10. Continuous software updates and security patches
11. Possibility to download new tools to expand the capabilities of the router
12. VPN and VPN with WIREGUARD
These are just some of the features but there are also others, such as the possibility to add an IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) and other software. The limit is the hardware used, but potentially you can do anything with it.
Let's move on to the most interesting thing: How can I get OpenWRT?
Well, there are various ways to do it depending on how much time we have available and how willing we are to get our hands dirty—there are different solutions.
1. Install the software on a PC, Raspberry Pi, or mini PC that has at least two LAN ports or a USB/LAN adapter and enough memory in terms of both RAM and storage.
2. Buy a router that already has the OpenWRT operating system installed—there are several on the market such as GL.iNET routers, Cudy, and there are options for all budgets and needs, such as portable routers that turn into access points for travelers.
3. If we have a router, for example a TPLink, we can install the OpenWRT firmware and turn our router into an OpenWRT router; however, the procedure is not simple for all models.
The result after installing an OpenWRT router will be that we will have control over both what enters our network and what leaves it, as well as the data that is insidiously and unlawfully stolen from our daily lives by companies that unscrupulously sell and use it against us. Do you think this doesn't concern you? Do you think it's an exaggeration? Do you know what profiling actually does?
Many people think it's not important to protect personal information and, to gain a trivial and momentary advantage (let's think, for example, of supermarket discount cards), are willing to give up their data, which, as mentioned, is used against us—in this case, to create a consumer profile in order to manipulate people into making purchases.
Obviously, this is just a small example, but think about how many companies, having access to our personal data, can control us, manipulate us, or worse, make us a real target because we have inconvenient opinions or because we are against certain narratives.
Privacy is a right and it is our duty to defend it……
