[reaperducer]

If you're using something like OpenWRT, you most likely don't need to buy new hardware.

Awesome! Point me in the direction of the firmware upgrade portal for my 15-year-old wifi printers, computers, and game machines from companies that no longer exist.

[dikkechill]

I agree, you have a good point with respect to a large amount of older hardware and I do not have a solution for that problem. What I can say is that I try to buy hardware which has support for open source software and has a community around it. So far this helped me to extend the life of these devices, as it does not depend on the vendor alone.

I'm not really sure how to interpret your 'Awesome!'. If it was meant snarky and if you're willing to, please have a look at the HN guidelines for comments [1]. We can then improve the quality of the discussion.

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

[reaperducer]

I'm not really sure how to interpret your 'Awesome!'. If it was meant snarky and if you're willing to, please have a look at the HN guidelines for comments [1]. We can then improve the quality of the discussion.

You're right. I'm sorry about that. Sometimes I forget which web site I'm posting on.

[dikkechill]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

Actually, thinking a bit longer about the problem, the issue in my mind is that vendors/producers do not have an incentive to update software if you only pay for the hardware once. For them it's just a cost. It's more interesting to sell more hardware. My strategy as consumer is to go to open source for such devices. But perhaps there are better strategies.

I'm aware of Cisco having a model to pay for software updates, but this is mainly for business clients. Does anyone know other vendors that have business models, that create incentives for updating devices? Perhaps even for consumers?

I remember that in the past MacOS updates had to be purchased, but this no longer seems to be the case. Is there actually a consumer market for such business models, where hardware and (paid) software are tied together for a longer life cycle?

[oh_sigh]

Is that snark or is it just somewhat obvious sarcasm? Occasional usage of sarcasm, hyperbole, facetiousness, does not diminish the quality of a discussion.

[mikestew]

Fine, then don’t upgrade. I don’t know why you’re making a big deal out of something you’re not going to do anyway. As long as you are aware of the risks of using old and less-secure hardware and protocols, and you’re fine with that, you shouldn’t care what new thingy comes out. Just be careful you don’t turn into “I don’t even OWN a TV!” guy.

[behringer]

You can't stop caring about security just because you can't upgrade everything. You could instead just keep a secure and insecure network if you're concerned about backwards compatibility and still want security.

[coldtea]

>Awesome! Point me in the direction of the firmware upgrade portal for my 15-year-old wifi printers, computers, and game machines from companies that no longer exist.

Well, some people with OS/2, Atari STs, and VAX mainframes are not gonna get extended WiFi security either.

Those that have newer stuff and can afford to switch to new printers and everything after 10 or 15 years, can use it tho, and those would still be tons of users (and more going forward). We moved from old wifi standards anyway (or you don't use WAP2 either?).

For most people it's just their laptops and phones (which they change every few years), printer (which is easily replaceable since the ink replacements they have to do regularly cost more than the main unit (or close) anyway), and maybe some TV or media player unit.

[oliwarner]

The idea of keeping an increasingly insecure radio open for legacy hardware makes me itch. I'd sooner cat5 or usb these devices into the network than risk the rest of it.

If it doesn't make you worry, there's nothing to do here. WPA3 gives you nothing.

[realityking]

One of my pet peeves: non-portable devices that have WiFi but no Ethernet port. For example the Logitech Harmony Hub, Amazon Echo and Apple HomePod.

[oliwarner]

Definitely.

I guess if WPA2 get blown apart (to the degree WEP was) there might be a market for super-low-power APs that you put on or right next to the device. Not sure that'd be enough without additional shielding.

Most WPA2 devices do support 802.1x which —depending on the crack— may help extend the lifetime.

[Fnoord]

Regarding printer, I found my printer supports USB, ethernet, and WLAN (I'm using ethernet). YMMV.

[taneq]

Most modem/routers these days seem to support a 'guest' network. I'm sure you could set it up so the guest network runs WEP or whatever and your main network runs WPA3, and that way at least it's more secure for some of your devices.