PC experts warn against using your router's USB port - here's what to do instead

"But here's the truth: I don't recommend using it. Having a USB port on the router sounds convenient, but there are a few problems. The fact is that USB ports on routers aren't secure. Many of them operate on outdated protocols, creating vulnerabilities that can be exploited by bad actors. This doesn't mean the entire router is compromised, but the USB port can be a weak link. Using it is not a risk worth taking, especially when safer alternatives are available."

"When I say "outdated protocols", I am mostly referring to FTP or File Transfer Protocol. It's an old protocol from the 1970s that doesn't use any sort of encryption; even transmitting passwords in plain text. FTP has been widely replaced by the HTTPS protocol, but even recent routers, like the Asus RT-BE86U, have ports that use it. As Progress Software points out, a bad actor could easily take those credentials with the right technical know-how, even possibly gaining access to your network."

Many routers include USB-A ports intended for file sharing, device charging, and backups. Those USB ports often rely on outdated, unencrypted protocols such as FTP, which can transmit passwords in plaintext. Outdated protocol support creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited to harvest credentials and potentially access the wider network. The presence of a vulnerable USB service does not necessarily indicate the entire router is compromised, but it can serve as a weak link. Safer central storage and backup options exist and are recommended instead of using router USB ports.

Read at ZDNET