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Experience Faster Connections With Wi-Fi 7: Here Are Its Key Features
Experience Faster Connections With Wi-Fi 7: Here Are Its Key Features

CNET

time27-05-2025

  • CNET

Experience Faster Connections With Wi-Fi 7: Here Are Its Key Features

With every new generation, Wi-Fi networks get better at tackling high-demand applications and high-density environments. With Wi-Fi 7, this remains the case. At its core are improvements to speed, latency and reliability. However, its real impact might just be clearest when it's used for augmented or virtual reality. The first Wi-Fi 7 routers were introduced in 2023, but they've become increasingly affordable over the past few months as the major router manufacturers launched their own Wi-Fi 7 lines. They also got a big bump when the latest iPhone 16 models were released with support for the new wireless standard. The Wi-Fi Alliance, a network of over 900 companies that develops and certifies Wi-Fi technology, officially launched its 'Wi-Fi 7 Certified' program in January 2024. Since then, devices like phones, laptops and routers have been eligible for its stamp of approval. The Wi-Fi 7 certification had been anticipated since as early as 2019 when Wi-Fi 6 was still brand new. You'll need both a Wi-Fi 7 router and a Wi-Fi 7 device to take advantage of those benefits, and both are becoming increasingly available, with the new iPhones marking a major step forward in Wi-Fi 7's reign. Like previous standards, Wi-Fi 7 is backward compatible, so a Wi-Fi 7 router will still work with a Wi-Fi 6 device, and vice versa. Maureen Gallagher, Vice President of Marketing at Wi-Fi Alliance, told CNET that she expects Wi-Fi 7 to have a major impact on things like AR/VR/XR, autonomous driving and network congestion. "Wi-Fi 7 helps users overcome congestion and interference in large or crowded venues -- like conferences or stadiums -- bringing improved user experiences in areas with densely packed devices or neighboring networks that overlap," she said. Locating local internet providers Routers from Asus, Eero, Neatgear and TP-Link have been using the Wi-Fi 7 label for over a year, but they're now getting the official Wi-Fi logo when they pass the Wi-Fi Alliance's certification tests. What is Wi-Fi 7? Wi-Fi 7 refers to the seventh generation of wireless technology, coming on the heels of Wi-Fi 6 (launched in 2019) and Wi-Fi 6E (2020). It's a collection of technology standards created by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers; the official IEEE standard for Wi-Fi 7 is 802.11be. The Wi-Fi Alliance officially launched Wi-Fi 7 in January 2024, followed by new routers, phones and laptops with the Wi-Fi 7 seal of approval. In order to take advantage of Wi-Fi 7 features, both your router and the device it's connecting to will require Wi-Fi 7 hardware. (You can find out if a device is certified Wi-Fi 7 on the alliance's product finder.) How does Wi-Fi 7 work? Wi-Fi 7 still uses the same three bands as Wi-Fi 6E: 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz. So why is Wi-Fi 7 such an improvement? It comes down to wider channels. Wi-Fi 7 doubles the channel size of the 6-GHz band, going from 160MHz to 320MHz. Think of it like a highway going from two to four lanes -- the amount of data that can be transmitted at once will be drastically increased. A typical Wi-Fi 7 laptop could reach a 'potential maximum' of 5.8Gbps -- 2.4 times faster than the 2.4Gbps possible with Wi-Fi 6/6E, according to Intel, one of the companies producing Wi-Fi 7 certified chipsets. The other significant step forward for Wi-Fi 7 is Multi-Link Operation (MLO). Wi-Fi 6 and 6E provided access to multiple bands, but devices could only connect to one band at a time. MLO allows Wi-Fi 7 devices to simultaneously connect on two bands. That results in faster speeds, but it also means improved reliability and ultra-low latency. Let's go back to the highway analogy. On older versions of Wi-Fi, cars could only travel in one lane at a time, moving to a different lane if there was a traffic jam. With MLO, cars will be able to travel across two highways at the same time, avoiding the slowdowns that come with traffic jams. The Wi-Fi Alliance Do I need new equipment to use Wi-Fi 7? You'll need two devices to take advantage of these benefits: a Wi-Fi 7 router and a Wi-Fi 7 device to connect to it. Fortunately, Wi-Fi 7 is fully backward compatible, so you'll be able to use your older devices with a Wi-Fi 7 router, or a Wi-Fi 7 phone with a Wi-Fi 6 router -- you just won't reap the Wi-Fi 7 benefits. When will Wi-Fi 7 be available? There are dozens of Wi-Fi 7 routers currently available, and new devices like phones, laptops, and smart home gadgets are increasingly equipped with Wi-Fi 7. The Wi-Fi Alliance predicted that 233 million Wi-Fi 7 devices will enter the market in 2024 and grow to 2.1 billion devices by 2028. That doesn't mean you need to run out and replace your router immediately. Devices like phones, laptops and gaming systems with Wi-Fi 7 aren't quite the norm yet. That has started to change with Apple's latest iPhone 16 release. Companies like Broadcom, Intel, MediaTek and Qualcomm have also begun producing Wi-Fi 7-certified chipsets, which the Wi-Fi Alliance has used as a test bed for certification. There is typically about a year or two gap between the certification announcement and devices becoming widely available, so we should start to see more Wi-Fi 7 phones, laptops and other devices next year. The Era of Wi-Fi 7 FAQs What is Wi-Fi 7? Wi-Fi 7 is the next generation of Wi-Fi technology, the seventh generation of wireless technology. The Wi-Fi Alliance officially launched Wi-Fi 7 in January 2024, which prompted new routers, phones and laptops to have the Wi-Fi 7 seal of approval. It's important to note that your router and device must be certified for Wi-Fi 7 to take advantage of this technology. To learn more, check if your device is certified for Wi-Fi 7. ...Read more Is Wi-Fi 7 better than Wi-Fi 6? When paired with a compatible router and device, Wi-Fi 7 features faster speeds, improved latency, reliability and the increased ability to handle multiple devices simultaneously compared to Wi-Fi 6. ...Read more

FBI warns of hackers exploiting outdated routers. Check yours now
FBI warns of hackers exploiting outdated routers. Check yours now

Fox News

time26-05-2025

  • Fox News

FBI warns of hackers exploiting outdated routers. Check yours now

We stay on top of updates for our phones and laptops. Some of us even make sure our smartwatches and security cameras are running the latest firmware. But routers often get overlooked. If it's working, we assume it's fine, but that mindset can be risky. Now, the FBI has issued a warning that cybercriminals are actively exploiting old, unpatched and outdated routers. The alert, released in May 2025, explains how aging network devices with known flaws are being hijacked by malware and used to power anonymous cybercrime operations. A forgotten device in your home can silently become a tool for attackers. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center published a public service announcement on May 7, 2025, cautioning both individuals and organizations that criminals are taking advantage of outdated routers that no longer receive security patches. Devices manufactured around 2010 or earlier are especially vulnerable, as vendors have long ceased providing firmware updates for them. According to the FBI, such end-of-life routers have been breached by cyber actors using a variant of the "TheMoon" malware, allowing attackers to install proxy services on the devices and conduct illicit activities anonymously. In essence, home and small-office routers are being quietly conscripted into proxy networks that mask the perpetrators' identities online. The alert notes that through networks like "5socks" and "Anyproxy," criminals have been selling access to the infected routers as proxy nodes. In these schemes, paying customers can route their internet traffic through unwitting victims' routers, obscuring their own location while the victim's device (and IP address) bears the blame. The FBI bulletin even names specific router models as frequent targets, including: All of these devices are roughly a decade or more old and have known security vulnerabilities that were never patched once support ended. With their firmware updates long discontinued, any still in use are soft targets for attackers. Many recent infections stem from devices with remote administration exposed to the internet. Attackers scan for such routers, exploiting known firmware flaws without needing passwords. A single crafted web request can trick an older device into running malicious code. Once inside, malware often alters settings, opening ports or disabling security features, to maintain control and connect to external command-and-control servers. One prominent threat is TheMoon, a malware strain first seen in 2014 that exploited flaws in Linksys routers. It has since evolved into a stealthy botnet builder, transforming infected routers into proxy nodes. Instead of launching direct attacks, TheMoon reroutes third-party traffic, masking hackers' identities behind everyday home networks. Cybercrime platforms like Faceless and 5socks sell access to these infected routers as "residential proxies," making them valuable assets in the digital underground. For users, a compromised router means slower connections, exposure to phishing and spyware, and potential legal trouble if criminals abuse their IP address. For businesses, the risk is even higher: Outdated routers can be exploited for deeper network intrusions, data theft and ransomware attacks. In critical sectors, the consequences can be severe, affecting safety and compliance. Given the serious threats posed by outdated and compromised routers, taking proactive measures is essential. Here are six practical steps you can follow to protect your network and keep hackers at bay. 1) Replace your old router if it's no longer supported: If your router is more than five to seven years old, or if you can't find any recent updates for it on the manufacturer's website, it might be time to upgrade. Older routers often stop getting security fixes, which makes them an easy target for hackers. To check, look at the label on your router for the model number, then search online for "[model number] firmware update." If the last update was years ago, consider replacing it with a newer model from a trusted brand. If you're not sure which router to get, check out my list of top routers for the best security. It includes models with strong security features and compatibility with VPN services. 2) Keep your router's firmware updated: Your router runs software called firmware, which needs to be updated just like your phone or computer. To do this, open a web browser and type your router's IP address (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1), then log in using the username and password (usually found on a sticker on the router). Once inside, look for a section called "Firmware Update," "System" or "Administration," and check if an update is available. Apply it if there is one. Some newer routers also have apps that make this even easier. 3) Turn off remote access: Remote access lets you control your router from outside your home network, but it also opens the door for hackers. You can turn this off by logging into your router's settings (using the same steps as above), then finding a setting called "Remote Management," "Remote Access" or "WAN Access." Make sure this feature is disabled, then save the changes and restart your router. 4) Use a strong password for your router settings: Don't leave your router using the default login, like "admin" and "password." That's the first thing hackers try. Change it to a long, strong password with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. A good example would be something like T#8r2k!sG91xm4vL. Try to avoid using the same password you use elsewhere. You can usually change the login password in the "Administration" or "Security" section of the router settings. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here. 5) Look out for strange behavior and act quickly: If your internet feels unusually slow, your devices randomly disconnect or your streaming buffers more than usual, it could mean something is wrong. Go into your router settings and check the list of connected devices. If you see something you don't recognize, it could be a sign of a breach. In that case, update the firmware, change your passwords and restart the router. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, call your internet provider for help. 6) Reporting to authorities: The FBI asks that victims or those who suspect a compromise report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which can help authorities track and mitigate broader threats. This isn't just about asking everyone to upgrade their old gear. It's about the bigger issue of who's actually responsible when outdated devices turn into security risks. Most people don't think twice about the router sitting in a corner, quietly doing its job years past its prime. But attackers do. They see forgotten hardware as easy targets. The real challenge isn't just technical. It's about how manufacturers, service providers and users all handle the long tail of aging tech that still lives on in the real world. Should manufacturers be held accountable for keeping routers secure against cyber threats? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.

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