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Adt57's avatar
Adt57
Aspirant
Sep 16, 2021
Status:
New Idea

Need to disable the WiFi Off/On Button in firmware as an Advanced Option

THIS ALSO AFFECTS ALL PRODUCTS WITH A PHYSICAL WIFI OFF/ON BUTTON !


PLEASE see if this could be added as an Advanced WiFi Option in all future Router products, other manufacturer 
products can do this. The accidental or malicious press of the WiFi Off/On button can be extremely inconvenient or even help with malicious acts.

 

My alarm company has even suggested I send my Nighthawk back and get a different Router, it's that important. While my alarm has a backup GPRS Mobile backup they don’t like WiFi being so easy to turn off - for alarm functions and cameras.

 

Important Note:

It’s too easy for intruders to turn off WiFi Cameras, plus according to the Netgear Community kids and cats have been know to hit the WiFi Off/On button. This needs to be seriously considered as an improvement to future products. Having an option to disable the physical WiFi Off/On button in the Advanced Setup, with the default being enabled would not hinder users that don't want the switch to be disable - it would be thier choice in the Advanced Setup.

 

2 Comments

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru - Experienced User

    I think if someone is breaking into a home and disabling your wifi using the button, they could just as easily unplug the router. Or steal it. Or smash it. Disabling the wifi on/off button isn't going to be a deterent. 

     

    I'm not saying it isn't something netgear shouldn't implement (because they should) but that wouldn't be a reason why to implement it. 

  • I agree about the intruder comment, it came up from another user...

    ... but others added that they stick bottle tops over the button to stop their cat turing the WiFi off.

     

    Can't go into detail, but while some alarm systems provide GPRS/Mobile backup they and/or insurers don't like it when routers have a switch to turn it Wi-Fi off - there's a cost to providing the mobile backup - cats and kids shouldn't be able to turn WiFi off.