Most people never switch off their Wi-Fi router as long as the internet keeps working, but experts warn that periodic reboots are essential for both network security and performance, according to a report by BGR.
Earlier this year, American cybersecurity agencies shut down a network of hacked consumer routers that Russian intelligence had used as part of a botnet. The compromised devices allowed hackers to steal login credentials, intercept internet traffic and attack other devices and networks.
Following that operation, the United States National Security Agency urged users to reboot their routers. A standard restart can interrupt temporary malware and cancel connections that attackers may be exploiting.
Why rebooting helps performance too
Rebooting a router is not just about security. As with a computer, restarting clears the temporary cache, relaunches security protocols and processes, and resets various connections, including the external internet link and the process the router uses to select a Wi-Fi channel.
How often to reboot a router
The NSA recommends rebooting a router at least once a month, though restarting more often, such as weekly, can also be beneficial. Most modern routers include an automatic reboot feature that can be scheduled for early morning hours when household members are asleep.
It is also worth turning on automatic firmware updates, a feature usually found in the router's admin panel. Once activated, the router can check for official updates, download them and install them on its own.
These updates matter especially for security, since they contain fixes for vulnerabilities, patch known holes and resolve software bugs that can affect a device's stability and performance.
If a Wi-Fi router is so old that it does not support automatic reboots or firmware updates, that may be a sign it is time to replace it. Using a device that no longer receives security updates is risky. Several companies, including Netgear and Linksys, have already ended support for a number of older models.
Rebooting is not the same as a factory reset
Restarting a device is a common way to fix technical problems. Computers and other electronics usually run better after a reboot because it relaunches most system processes and protocols, and the same applies to routers and modems.
There is a similar but more drastic procedure known as a factory reset, which erases all system and user data and returns the device to the state it was in when purchased. A factory reset can help with serious performance problems or software failures, but it should not be used routinely.
Resetting a router to factory settings wipes all user settings, including the local Wi-Fi network configuration, its name (SSID) and password. Because of this, a standard reboot should be tried first, with a factory reset reserved for cases where one or two restarts fail to resolve serious problems.
