Netgear Router Firmware Upgrade

I hope this is the right sub-forum to post this in.
I have a Netgear WNR2000v5 and just logged into it for the first time in a while and there was a "new firmware upgrade available" message. Everything has been working great, is it worth upgrading while all is good? Do those upgrades improve security?

 

The latest Firmware update for the NETGEAR WNR2000V5...

Read the instructions in the user manual before applying this update.
https://kb.netgear.com/000061228/WNR2000v5-Firmware-Version-1-0-0-72

 

Thanks Eldon. Do you think it's worth the upgrade? I've read horror stories about firmware upgrades going bad.

 

That's true! If a firmware update goes wrong the device could be bricked.
Personally, I would not update firmware if the device is functioning correctly.
And I don't subscribe to the countless "security updates" we are bombarded with.

 

Cool , I appreciate it.

 

If we were taking about operating systems, I would totally agree. But this is about our routers - our first and extremely critical line of defense against the evils on the Internet. So IMO, this security update absolutely should not be dismissed or ignored.

I certainly do not automatically subscribe to or recommend applying every update touted as a "performance" update. But when stated to be for "security", I sit up and pay attention, check them out and typically recommend applying them.

The fact of the matter is, there have been a rash of newly discovered home router vulnerabilities over the last couple years, including many affecting Netgear routers. IMO, if we don't keep our routers updated, we are being negligent. Is this tin-foil hat wearer's speak? No! Not at all. Not unless you think it wise to ignore advice from UK's National Cyber Security Center, the FBI and Homeland Security and their EU and Australian counterparts.

"Cyber actors" supported by the Russian government are exploiting large numbers of enterprise-class and SOHO/residential routers and switches worldwide.

But don't believe me! See,

C|NET, US, UK warn of Russian hackers targeting millions of routers
and
US-CERT Alert (TA18-106A) Russian State-Sponsored Cyber Actors Targeting Network Infrastructure Devices.

It is also a fact that bricking a router with a firmware upgrade is extremely rare. With the only exceptions being with beta and unauthorized unofficial 3rd party firmware updates, I've personally have never seen it and over the many years I've done many 100s of firmware upgrades on Netgear, Cisco, Linksys, D-Link, ASUS, Synolog, TP-Link, Trendnet, Buffalo, Zonet and a host of generic and rebranded others. It is more likely a drunk driver is going to hop the curb, drive across 3 lawns and hit you on your front porch as you leave your front door! Does that mean you never leave your house?

I have personally used several Netgear routers over the years. I currently have several clients who use Netgear routers in their homes and small businesses. I have never had an "official" update fail. Same goes with my current Linksys.

My advice is to definitely update your router, sooner rather than later - especially if you have not done it recently - or never! See this.

I offer just one precaution. Because it is possible, regardless how remote that possibility may be, the firmware upgrade may go bad, I recommend you make sure your router is on a "good" UPS with AVR, or at least make sure you do the upgrade on a clear, sunny day when there is minimal chance of a power outage in the middle of the upgrade.

And remember, should something go bad, almost all routers, even if they appear bricked, can be reset back to the factory settings. See page 111 of your manual. This does not roll back the firmware but will typically clear any corrupt settings and get you going again.

 

I agree, and should have been more clear regarding firmware updates in general.
Importantly, the user should update the firmware exactly as per the instructions.

 

Thanks guys!

 

If you update the firmware, let us know how it went.

 

Will do, I think I will update it. Can't remember if I have done that since I first got it.

 

For the record, it typically takes no more than 3 or 4 minutes for the whole process.

 

This sounds crazy, but I can't get a working link to get the firmware. When logged into the router and clicking on the firmware pop-up, it show the Netgear Firmware Upgrade Assistant and it shows "Please wait a moment...". It's been 10 minutes and nothing.
I went to the Netgear site for the download and clicking on the download link just gives me a winzip with release notes: https://kb.netgear.com/000061228/WNR2000v5-Firmware-Version-1-0-0-72

Not sure how to proceed.

Edit: Getting it now, Firefox had it blocked.

2nd edit: The download started but never finished. It now says no upgrade is available, but still shows the original version.
Oh well...

 

I tried uploading the .img as the firmware wizard directed, but it's been going for 30 minutes now and still says "please wait a moment...".
Not sure why it just won't go through.

 

I've had the same issue with a couple different Netgear products with the never ending updates looping and never finishing.

I've used IOBit's Free Driver Booster from here at MajorGeeks on some older machines I picked up. It picked up the updates and installed without any problems.

I have had Windows update install one a couple years back and it knocked me offline. I had to use the install cd to recover. Don't let Windows do it!

 

As expected, Netgear states to unzip the archive and run the .exe file.
But, instead of a .exe file the archive contains a .img file.
FYI A .img file is a disc image file similar to .iso, .bin, .nrg, etc.

I'm inclined to go with Imandy Mann's suggestion - if you want to update the firmware.

 

I think I would power cycle your router and use the admin menu to check for updates again. If it finds a new version is out there, try the automated update process. I've never had to manually update a Netgear router by burning a disk image. If your router still refuses to update (assuming a new update is really out there) I would do a factory reset - your manual will tell you how. Then run the update process again.

 

Is this the Driver Booster that you used? https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/driver_booster_beta.html
It doesn't mention firmware in the description.

 

The stable version. It will find most of your devices. Some things are not available in the free version but you get a lot of function out of it.

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/iobit_driver_booster.html

 

Thanks! I'll give it a try tomorrow.

 

Yeah, that threw me off when it happened.

 

I don't see how driver booster is going work for this. Router drivers and especially router firmware are not installed on our computers.

 

This is true. I installed and ran Driver Booster and there is nothing about firmware updates in it.
Updating router firmware shouldn't be this difficult!

 

Did you try the steps in post #16 above?

 

Yes, it's the first thing I tried. There are many new firmware updates available after the version that I have, but the .iso would not upload. I let it go for over an hour and it still said "Please wait a moment...".

 

I saw on a couple different pages to be connected with an Ethernet cable with all else disconnected. Do you use the cable and make sure everything else is logged out?

 

Yeah. The only other thing connected to the router is an Xbox and that was off when I tried the upgrade.

 

The link to the FW which the op posted above contains a .img file used for flashing the router within the zip file

So download the newer fw, then unzip the file to extract the 2 files one of which is the new fw (the other seems to be the release notes)

Disconnect / unplug anything which is not required from the Netgear router (even the XBox)

The only thing you want connected to the Netgear is the pc / laptop used for flashing. As Digerati said do a factory restore as well. Disconnect the Netgear router from the telephone line as well so that the modem is not syncing with the exchange. You need a total closed loop with the router isolated

Make sure all anti virus / fw is disabled. Then try to manually flash the fw by accessing the Netgear control panel and pointing it to the location of the new FW.

 

Thanks R², I'll try those addition steps in the morning.