Is it safe security-wise to connect external hard drive to router?

[maddogchen]

My friend was telling me it was not safe to connect an external hard drive to a router to be used as a network share. But he cited ASUS routers which I guess had a security flaw that exposed the contents of the drive to the outside world. I have a Netgear router and I do set a password on the external when you try to add it as a network share. Is that enough or should I just disconnect it?

Thanks

 

[JackMDS]

Asus did have a problem early in the year and they fixed it months ago.

I do not know about your Router.

Search the Net for a term like "Your router name and model security-wise to connect external hard drive to the router".

If there is problems you will find it fast.

 

[maddogchen]

Didn't find anything with a search. So as long as the router does not have any known exploits, it should be fine right?

 

[JackMDS]

Didn't find anything with a search. So as long as the router does not have any known exploits, it should be fine right?

Yap it should.

However look at the WAN side of the configuration menu and make sure that it is Not open to be accessed from the Internet.

If you would like it to be Remotely accessed make sure that you use unique ports and strong Passwords.

 

[azazel1024]

Didn't find anything with a search. So as long as the router does not have any known exploits, it should be fine right?

Nope. It just means there are no widely known exploits. It does not mean that there are no exploits.

I personally wouldn't attach a drive to a router as I've seen too many issues where things are left open to the WAN even when explicitly closed. The performance is also pretty bad compared to even a super cheap NAS.

However, it is likely safe. Likely and are are different though and I have much different needs for network attached storage where no router could fulfill my needs, so the security side of things is just a cherry for me.