"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 Many of them operate on outdated protocols, creating vulnerabilities that can be exploited by bad actors.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."
"When I say "outdated protocols", I am mostly referring to FTP or File Transfer Protocol.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."
Routers often include USB-A ports for file sharing, device charging, and backing up computers to external drives. Those ports commonly support legacy protocols such as FTP that transmit credentials and data without encryption. Exposed USB services can create vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to obtain network access or sensitive files. The presence of a USB port does not necessarily compromise the entire router, but it represents a weak link in home or small-office networks. Safer options include dedicated network-attached storage, cloud backups, or routers that support secure, encrypted file-transfer protocols. Regular firmware updates and disabling unused services can reduce risk but do not fully mitigate insecure USB-based file sharing.
Read at ZDNET
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