Is my network actually at any risk? Should I take any steps now that I’m not receiving security updates? This was a really expensive router and I’m going back to school so I’m definitely not going to be in the market for a new one for quite a while. Probably wouldn’t be going back to tplink even if I did.
Thoughts?
Yes, technically. This message is saying no new firmware updates will be forthcoming for your model. The unfortunate reality, though, is that most consumers rarely update their router firmware, regardless.
There has been a very large increase in attacks on home and small business routers, which are then used for botnets and espionage. Look for articles on Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) router attacks, but here are a few:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cisa-vendors-must-secure-soho-routers-against-volt-typhoon-attacks/
https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/02/kremlin-backed-hackers-are-infecting-ubiquity-edgerouters-fbi-warns/
https://thehackernews.com/2024/05/mysterious-cyber-attack-takes-down.html
https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/02/fbi-removes-malware-from-hundreds-of-routers-across-the-us
https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa25-239a
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/SbD-Alert-Security-Design-Improvements-for-SOHO-Device-Manufacturers.pdf
If you are concerned, it may be worth investigating if your device supports OpenWRT, or upgrading to a newer router under active maintenance. I see the Netgear R6700 as supported on the OpenWRT Table of Hardware.