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Orbi WiFi 7 RBE973
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Security of Orbs Network

erau
Aspirant

Security of Orbs Network

Hello,

 

I just purchased this and installed the base router and two satellites. Everything seems to be working OK except I'm not confident about security. After I used my phone to set up the network, my laptop and iPad both joined readily without asking for the wifi password (!). I tried going through the manual, which recommends adjusting security settings at orbilogin.com. That asked me for my password, but also told me that information was not secure. I put it in anyway, and kept getting the same login splash screen over and over.

 

I'm used to the highly secure Apple Airport system, which allowed me to lock out all unrecognized MAC addresses. Apparently, any pervert on the sidewalk can download porn via my network as it does not seem to ask passwords and simply allows devices to logon.

 

Can someone please tell me where to start before I pack this up and return it to the store?

Model: RBR20|Orbi AC2200 Tri-band WiFi Router
Message 1 of 5

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erau
Aspirant

Re: Security of Orbs Network

Thanks for the discussion. When the Orbis router couldn't drive my Roku box (and switching back to the Airport Extreme I was trying to replace instantly provided me with all the Netflix, Amazon Video, BritBox, Acorn, etc. I could want), the answer was clear. I returned the Orbis to Best Buy and ordered a refurbished Airport Extreme on Ebay to act as a repeater for my existing Airport Extreme access point. It will arrive on Friday. Eventually the Airport Extremes will fail, I know, and I will be forced to revisit this issue, but I hope this will buy me a few years.

 

Anyway, thanks, everyone, for your efforts and advice. This just isn't working for me when I have other options.

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CrimpOn
Guru

Re: Security of Orbs Network

Netgear's Orbi has the same security features as most WiFi systems.  It appears that some part of the initial setup was incorrect.  Straight out of the box, Orbi has two sets of credentials:

  1. A WiFi name (SSID) and password that are printed on a label on the bottom of the router.
    While any device with an ethernet cord can be connected to a jack, WiFi devices must authenticate.
    When the Orbi was configured using the phone, were any WiFi credentials requested?
    One of the first things most people do is change the WiFi name and password to something that they are comfortable with.
    In my case, I always set up a new WiFi router with exactly the same credentials as the one I am replacing.
    That way, I do not have to go around to every WiFi device in the house and teach it a new network.
    If this is what happened, then of course devices that were able to connect to the old WiFi will connect automatically.
  2. An administrative login "admin" (which is very hard to change, and almost nobody even tries) and a default password "password", which the setup badgers people into changing (and complains if it is "too easy")  Although not required, most people choose to make the admin password different from the WiFi password.  The login splash screen keeps coming up because the credentials entered are not correct.

    The Orbi web interface (i.e. orbilogin.com) is http, not https (secured).  Many browsers will complain about entering passwords into a "non-secure" web site.  Most consumer WiFi routers do things this way.  The theory is that someone already had to guess the WiFi password to get at the Orbi, and WiFi communications are encrypted, so doing more is "diminishing returns."

Once logged into the admin account, Orbi users have the same sorts of security capabilities that other WiFi routers enjoy.  On the Advanced Tab, under Security, there is "Access Control" where you can define which MAC addresses are allowed to access the system.  (Most users do not set up Access Control because it makes adding a new device a chore, but it's certainly there.)

 

So, some pervert on the sidewalk can download porn once he (she?) guesses the complicated WiFi password.  And, if Access Control is turned on, they can't get access even if they did.

 

 

Message 2 of 5
CrimpOn
Guru

Re: Security of Orbs Network

Sorry, I didn't finish.  If you cannot get past the login splash screen, either with "admin" and "password" or with the administrative credentials that were entered during setup, then it's time to do a fresh setup.  Stick a paperclip into the little "reset" hold on the back for 10-12 seconds until the power LED begins to blink.  That resets the router to "factory", which means the WiFi name and password on the label.

 

Those of us with desktop or laptop computers that can plug into the ethernet jack can connect automatically and go straight to orbilogin.com, enter "admin" and "password", and do the setup.

Message 3 of 5
loomis1975
Luminary

Re: Security of Orbs Network

I believe there is a relatively new feature where all your apple devices signed into your Apple ID will share wifi passwords.  Input it once on say your Iphone and they will have the information to connect on the Mac and the Ipad.

 

Not sure if this is what is happening in your case.

Message 4 of 5
erau
Aspirant

Re: Security of Orbs Network

Thanks for the discussion. When the Orbis router couldn't drive my Roku box (and switching back to the Airport Extreme I was trying to replace instantly provided me with all the Netflix, Amazon Video, BritBox, Acorn, etc. I could want), the answer was clear. I returned the Orbis to Best Buy and ordered a refurbished Airport Extreme on Ebay to act as a repeater for my existing Airport Extreme access point. It will arrive on Friday. Eventually the Airport Extremes will fail, I know, and I will be forced to revisit this issue, but I hope this will buy me a few years.

 

Anyway, thanks, everyone, for your efforts and advice. This just isn't working for me when I have other options.

Message 5 of 5
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