Tag: AVM FritzOS 6.20

AVM hardens consumer router security with latest FritzOS version

Article (German Language / Deutsche Sprache)

AVM kündigt FritzOS 6.20 mit neuen Sicherheitsfunktionen für Ende Juli an | ZDNet.de

From the horse’s mouth

AVM

Press Release (English / Deutsch)

My Comments

 

AVM FRITZ!Box 3490 - Press photo courtesy AVM

AVM Fritzbox 3490 to be able to update itself like your Windows or Mac computer

Previously I had covered AVM being the first consumer router manufacturer offering automatic firmware updates for their router products. Here, this firmware, known as FritzOS 6.20 will have this feature and be rolled across most of their product lineup.

But it will also have the ability to notify users of newer firmware being available along with identifying ports that are open and who logged on or off the management user interface.

What AVM have done is reacted to an industry-wide issue with consumer and small-business routers running old unpatched firmware, typically the software that is “out-of-the-box”. This is often found to be a security risk due to software exploits or vulnerable configuration setups not being rectified even though manufacturers do rectify this through newer firmware updates which the customer has to download and deploy.

A step in the right direction for idiot-proof home network security

As well, they are throwing in enhanced Wi-Fi hotspot, VPN endpoint setup functionality and Web based access to shared storage in to this firmware. It is becoming a sign that firmware integrated in an Internet gateway device is being treated by the device manufacturers as an operating system along the same lines as what you would run on a computer, tablet or smartphone. This means having a continual upgrade program to rectify any bugs or vulnerabilities, allowing for hands-off or one-touch software deployment and even adding functionality in a device’s life.