UK announces new security rules for IoT devices

Under new laws proposed by the UK government, all internet-connected devices will be required to abide by a strict set of security standards.

The new measures are designed to protect consumers and businesses against an increasing volume of cyberattacks. IoT devices – ranging from phones and tablets to smart speakers and cameras – have become a popular target due to poor security standards and, in some cases, discontinued security support.

Beyond scraping information from devices and using them as a route into private networks, criminals can harness hacked IoT devices to perpetrate DDoS attacks and take down online services.

The proposed legislation would require those involved in the manufacture and sale of connected devices in the UK to follow three rules:

– All consumer internet-connected device passwords must be unique and not resettable to any universal factory setting

– Manufacturers of consumer IoT devices must provide a public point of contact so anyone can report a vulnerability and it will be acted on in a timely manner

– Manufacturers of consumer IoT devices must explicitly state the minimum length of time that the device will receive security updates at the point of sale, either in store on online

Compulsory standards

The new security standards were developed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

“Our new law will hold firms manufacturing and selling internet-connected devices to account and stop hackers threatening people’s privacy and safety,” said Matt Warman, minister for digital and broadband at DCMS.

“It will mean robust security standards are built in from the design stage and not bolter on as an afterthought,” he continued.

Until now, the UK has encouraged companies operating in the IoT space to adhere to a set of voluntary security practices. It has reached the conclusion that compulsory measures are necessary to ensure users are protected.

Via ZDNet

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Best Wi-Fi extenders of 2020: top devices for boosting your WiFi network

The best WiFi extenders don’t just help extend your wireless network to ensure your whole space is covered. These devices also make sure that you’ve got reliable coverage throughout, minimizing slow or dropped connections, wherever you are in your home or office. 

That’s right; you don’t have to resort to spending a ton of cash on costly solutions. The best WiFi extenders will simply pick up where your router starts to lose coverage, and increase your network’s range to give you a significant (and strong) boost in your wireless coverage by repeating that signal.

If you’ve got a large space to cover, and you’re experiencing unreliable connections, you’ve come to the right place. We gathered the best WiFi extenders on the market, so when you’re ready to give your WiFi coverage a boost, you’ll find the best one for you on this list.

Plume Superpods

The Plume SuperPods act as one of the best Wi-Fi extenders straight out of the box.

Needing to increase your network coverage and get network-based cybersecurity as well? The Plume SuperPods will get the job done, though they don’t come cheap. You see, the Plume SuperPods act as one of the best Wi-Fi extenders straight out of the box. But perhaps more importantly, they also come with a subscription service to protect your network from cyber-attacks, as well as remove ads from the internet. Nonetheless, even if you don’t care about the extra software, the excellent performance is more than enough to make this Wi-Fi extender worth your consideration at the very least.

At the time of writing, the Plume SuperPods are only available in the US, so check out our other picks below if they are not available where you are.

Read the full review: Plume SuperPods

Netgear AC1200 WiFi Range Extender EX6150

The Netgear AC1200 WiFi Range Extender EX6150 is a simple device that you can discreetly plug right into any electrical outlet.

Over the last couple years, Netgear has essentially turned itself into a household name in the networking world. And, they’ve put their extensive expertise to impressive use with their AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender EX6150. This terrific extender is a simple device that you can discreetly plug right into any electrical outlet, and definitely has our vote for one of the best Wi-Fi extenders. As an additional bonus, the EX6150 boasts quick and easy installation, free of any hassling installation software. Just follow the easy-to-read instructions and you’ll have fast and dependable Wi-Fi covering your entire home or office.

Netgear Nighthawk X6 EX7700

The Netgear Nighthawk X6 EX7700 lets you stream 4K content, play games and hook up all kinds of devices to your Wi-Fi network without a hitch.

Bring the power and convenience of a mesh network to your home with the Netgear Nighthawk X6 EX7700. Not only does this extend the area of your Wi-Fi network, but it creates a seamless Wi-Fi network throughout your home or office – so you don't need to switch networks while moving around.

Thanks to the powerful hardware inside the Netgear Nighthawk X6 EX7700, you can stream 4K content, play games and hook up all kinds of devices to your Wi-Fi network without a hitch. The included Ethernet ports are also a nice addition for bringing your network to wired devices.

TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender

TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender isn’t just among the best Wi-Fi extenders you can buy right now; it’s also one of the most affordable.

TP-Link is a Chinese networking company that has been steadily gaining popularity in the west, and for good reason. With devices like the TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Wi-Fi Range extender, it’s easy to get why: this extender – among the best Wi-Fi extenders you can buy right now – does the job well, and it’s affordable. It’s not going to be the fastest Wi-Fi extender out there, but with the range this extender provides at the price it’s available at, it’s a steal. Finally, thanks to an LED signal indicator on the front, installation is a breeze.

Linksys RE6500 AC1200 Dual-Band Wireless Range Extender

Linksys RE6500 AC1200 Dual-Band Wireless Range Extender’s tougher design lets Linksys include four gigabit Ethernet ports.

The Linksys RE6500 AC1200 is yet another Wi-Fi extender which could be mistaken for a router. This tougher design lets Linksys include four gigabit Ethernet ports, which basically empowers you to increase your network to internet-connected devices that need an ethernet connection. It also has an audio output jack so it can connect to an audio system, letting you stream digital music from your PC to your audio receiver. This is a pretty robust and versatile product, and one of the best Wi-Fi extenders for the money.

D-Link DAP-1320 Wireless N300 Range Extender

D-Link DAP-1320 Wireless N300 Range Extender is designed well and is built to last.

If you’re needing a reasonably affordable way to beef up your Wi-Fi network, and you’re ok with settling a little on performance and features, then the D-Link DAP-1320 Wireless N300 Range Extender may just be one of the best Wi-Fi extenders for you.

This tiny device comes sans any Ethernet ports, and it doesn't feature dual bands or 802.11ac, which is presently the fastest form of Wi-Fi. However, it is designed well and is built to last. And best of all, it's a fast, easy and cheap way of boosting your Wi-Fi network as long as you don’t expect too much network traffic.

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the TP-Link RE350 

Linksys Velop Wi-Fi extender

Linksys Velop Wi-Fi extender has a user-friendly setup that anyone with a smartphone can easily do.

The Linksys Velop offers a solid argument for a wireless mesh network’s ease of setup. Looking to replace both your router and your now-antiquated range extender, the Velop comes at a time when companies like Google and Netgear are trying to accomplish the same thing. The main way Linksys hopes to stand out from its competitors in the wireless mesh networking space is with a user-friendly setup that anyone with a smartphone can easily do. With just a visit to the App Store or Google Play marketplace, you’ll have the Linksys Velop up and running in a matter of minutes. It's certainly a worthy addition to our list of the best Wi-Fi extenders.

Read the full review: Linksys Velop

Trendnet Wi-Fi Everywhere Powerline 1200 AV2

Trendnet Wi-Fi Everywhere features a clone button that will clone the SSID and WPA key of your network.

If you need a great way to upgrade your network so you can have fantastic coverage anywhere in your house, a powerline adapter is a remarkable option. Not only do they offer the same functionality as the best Wi-Fi extenders, but the Trendnet Wi-Fi Everywhere Powerline might just be a dream come true.

It’s not exactly visually pleasing, and the price tag may be a bit much. However, this unit more than makes up for those issues with sheer performance. And, unlike other powerline adapters, the Trendnet Wi-Fi Everywhere features a clone button that will clone the SSID and WPA key of your network so that it can double as a Wi-Fi extender.

Read the full review: Trendnet Wi-Fi Everywhere powerline 1200 AV2 

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Linksys Velop 
Product Plume Superpods Netgear AC1200 WiFi Range Extender EX6150 D-Link Wi-Fi Dual Band Range Extender DAP-1520 TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender 5. Linksys RE6500 AC1200 Dual-Band Wireless Range Extender D-Link DAP-1320 Wireless N300 Range Extender Linksys Velop Wi-Fi extender Trendnet Wi-Fi Everywhere Powerline 1200 AV2
Bands 802.11b/g/n/ac 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz 802.11n 2.4GHz 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz 802.11n (up to 300Mbps) 802.11ac (up to 866Mbps)
Connectivity 2x Gigabit LAN ports 1x Gigabit LAN ports N/A 1x Gigabit LAN ports 4 x Ethernet, Audio Jack N/A 2 x Gigabit Ethernet per unit 3x Gigabit Ethernet ports

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