Stop using your router's USB port - what PC experts recommend instead

"Ever wondered what the USB-A port on the back of your Wi-Fi router is for? Several things, depending on the model. For example, the port on the router can be used for basic file sharing across your network, charging small devices, and as a waypoint for backing up your computer to an external drive. 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 Many of them operate on outdated protocols, creating vulnerabilities that can be exploited by bad actors.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. Let's break down the biggest reasons you should avoid using the USB port on your router and what to do instead."

"When I say "outdated protocols", I am mostly referring to FTP or File Transfer Protocol.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 backing up computers to external drives. Those ports frequently rely on outdated, unencrypted protocols such as FTP, which transmit credentials in plain text and lack modern protections. Such implementations create vulnerabilities that can allow attackers to capture credentials and potentially gain network access. The USB interface therefore becomes a weak link even if the rest of the router remains secure. Users should avoid using router USB ports and instead use safer centralized storage or alternative backup and sharing methods.

Read at ZDNET