Editing Router (computing) (section)

=== Security ===
External networks must be carefully considered as part of the overall security strategy of the local network. A router may include a [[Firewall (computing)|firewall]], [[VPN]] handling, and other security functions, or they may be handled by separate devices. Routers also commonly perform [[network address translation]] which restricts connections initiated from external connections but is not recognized as a security feature by all experts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.safecomputing.umich.edu/protect-personal/download/nat_security.pdf|title=Security Considerations Of NAT|publisher=University of Michigan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018184244/http://www.safecomputing.umich.edu/protect-personal/download/nat_security.pdf|archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref> Some experts argue that [[Open-source software|open source]] routers are more secure and reliable than [[closed source]] routers because errors and potentially exploitable [[Vulnerability (computing)|vulnerabilities]] are more likely to be discovered and addressed in an open-source environment.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151014005564/en|title=Global Internet Experts Reveal Plan for More Secure, Reliable Wi-Fi Routers - and Internet|date=14 October 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020003515/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151014005564/en|archive-date=2015-10-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-07-26 |title=Is Open Source Software More Secure than Proprietary Products? |url=https://www.govtech.com/security/Is-Open-Source-Software-More-Secure.html |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=GovTech |language=en}}</ref>