This blog post has been prompted by the news that some Netgear routers have security issues and therefore the company are releasing an upgrade to the firmware in order to fix the problem.
Models affected are JNR1010v2, JNR3000, JWNR2000v5, JWNR2010v5, N300, R3250, WNR2020, WNR614, WNR618. To check your router model look on the router base or once you login into the router the model number will be stated on the admin screen.
Even if your model is not affected, doing an upgrade to the firmware is a good idea as it often fixes problems or security issues.
For those of you not sure what a router is it is the device that you use to connect you to the internet. Netgear is a brand and will look something like this image below and will usually say Netgear on it.
Initially you need to log in to your router. To do this open a web browser (like Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer) and in the address bar at the top type 192.168.1.1 (this is the usual 'IP address') and press return. Another window will appear where you need to enter the User name and Password. The default user name is admin and the password is password.
You should now be in the routers admin area and newer models will have a screen similar to the image below. If the router needs an upgrade there will be a message across the top saying "A new firmware upgrade is available. Click here to get it". Click on the message and it will take you to the upgrade area where you can select upgrade.
For older models your login screen may look something like this. Click on 'Router Upgrade' to go to the screen to check for upgrading the firmware.
Then select 'Check' on the next screen.
Install any upgrades needed. The upgrade will take a few minutes depending on your broadband speed.
If this blog has you scratching your head or if you have any problems completing the upgrade then please do get in touch!
