Recently, <ISP> has noticed an excessive amount of unwanted traffic being
generated by certain devices on our data network … Among the most active of these devices are certain Linksys routers; they seem to generate an excessive amount of unwanted traffic. <ISP> has taken steps to alleviate a large portion of this unwanted traffic by removing these routers from our network.
Linksys Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch (Model: BEFSR41 ver.3)
…
I have a BEFSR41, but mine is v2.
How can the brand of router make a difference? If so, does the v3 generate more than the v2? (Note that I have not been removed from the net)
And if the router does generate more traffic, can this be changed in the setup somewhere?
I did do some google searches, but they didn’t really help.
Unless those routers have some weird bug that I don’t know about, the message from your ISP makes no sense at all. Routers don’t generate traffic, they just route it. the Linksys routers have extra features like DHCP servers and port-forwarding, but that all occurs on the internal side of the router.
Umm, badly configured/programmed routers can and do cause bad network traffic. Another model than Linksys’s was setup wrong and caused so many accesses to a time server that it added up to an unintentional Denial of Service attack.
But I don’t know of any such problem with the BEFSR41 (which I own). Googling hasn’t turned up anything. I checked Linksys’s site and found nada.
But it could be happening. Esp. if there is an error that has been found and crackers are searching for and commandeering vulnerable routers. In such case, the maker and ISPs tend to be tightlipped about it for the usual stupid reasons.
Makes no sense. I can possibly see a lot of traffic being generated by people that buy Linksys wireless AP/router combos that leave the settings at default and people hijack for net access, but there is nothing inherant with a Linksys router that will cause “unwanted” traffic. I would email them back and ask them specifically what kind of traffic (protocol, port, etc) they think these are sending.
Just out of curiosity, what does the letter say to do if you have that router? “<ISP> has taken steps to alleviate a large portion of this unwanted traffic by removing these routers from our network” is sort of vague. Are they just turning off your internet connection? If it said anything to the extent of picking it up, or switching it for a different one, I would call the ISP and ask them what the deal is. Make sure it’s legit. Assuming it is legit, (and I had that router) I would call linksys, and ask them for a new router. If there is something wrong with their router, they should replace it. Keep in mind though, Linksys is HORRIBLE at owning up to problems with their hardware, HORRIBLE. They will deny it until you go away. As soon as they deny it, you have to report it to the BBB in Irvine CA, that’s the only way I’ve ever gotten them to replace faulty hardware.
If you own one of the following Linksys devices listed below, please contact
our office so that we can evaluate whether or not it needs replacement. If
you are planning on purchasing a new router, please contact our office
first. At this time we are recommending and installing D-Link routers at
customer premises that are currently using the following Linksys routers.