Concerns about Router Security and Availability of Firmware Updates - HG633

[tommycooker]

Hi TalkTalk Community,

I currently use a TalkTalk/Huawei HG633 router and was wondering if there are any firmware updates available for this model. My current details are:

• Hardware version: H.1.01
• Software version: v2.00t

Additionally, I’m concerned about the security standards of this router. It seems that the router only supports WPA2 encryption, and from what I understand, it offers encryption below 128 bits. Given the rise in online security threats, I feel it’s important to have access to stronger encryption methods like WPA3 or at least a router that supports encryption at or above 128 bits.

In the past, I’ve raised security concerns with TalkTalk customer support about the fact that this router is made by Huawei. Unfortunately, these concerns were dismissed. I’m not looking to engage in political discussions but would appreciate a more secure and privacy-conscious option.

Is there a newer DSL-compatible router offered by TalkTalk that supports WPA3 and provides stronger encryption standards (ideally 128-bit or higher)? It would also be preferable if the hardware wasn’t supplied by Huawei.

Thank you in advance for any advice or information!

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @tommycooker 

How's the connection been since your last post?

[tommycooker]

Hi there,

Thanks for looking into this. The router is connected to the ASDL inlet/wall socket. I have only rebooted the router two times whilst experiencing downtime. Thankfully it hasn't happened in about an hour now but I will update you if it happens again.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @tommycooker 

Apologies for this.

I've completed a line test which hasn't detected any faults but I can see re connections on the line.

Is the router currently connected at the test socket?

When the connection drops do you reboot the router?

[tommycooker]

Hi there,

Thank you! Also just to let you know within the last 24 hours my Internet connection has been quite unstable, dropping in out and at least a dozen times, with no internet for up to 2 minutes a time. This has been happening the most within the last hour or so.

To confirm, I have not been in the admin console to trigger this, so this is a completely separate issue. 

Sorry to keep troubling you but is there any chance you can check my Router's/TalkTalk's connectivity within the last 24 hours to try and diagnose the issue? Could be the router, could be TalkTalk side.

Thanks again for your continued help.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @tommycooker 

No problem 🙂

I've ordered this for you now, please allow 72hrs for this to arrive.

Thanks

Debbie

[tommycooker]

Hi there,

Yes please that would be great.

Many thanks for your help.

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @tommycooker 

Thanks for your reply.

I can send you another returns bag with the label, will this be ok?

[tommycooker]

Hello,

The connection has been stable overall. The Wi-Fi dropouts only seem to happen when I’m in the admin console, so it hasn’t been too much of an issue. Thank you for all your assistance with this!

Additionally, we didn’t receive a return shipping label for our old router, although we were provided with packaging to send it back. Could you kindly send me a new return label that I can print?

I appreciate your continued support.

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Hi tommy,

How has your connection been since the firmware update?

Thanks

Michelle

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @tommycooker 

I've now updated your router firmware to the latest version.

Thanks

Debbie 🙂

[tommycooker]

Hi there,

The router is not using a VPN and neither was my PC when I was accessing the admin portal. I would greatly appreciate it if you rolled out the firmware update today.

Many thanks for your continued help.

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Hi tommy,

Thanks for the update. We do have a newer version of firmware that we can try. Would you like us to update it today? It usually takes around 15 minutes to update. Can I just ask if you are using a VPN please?

Michelle

[tommycooker]

Hi there,

Thank you for sending the new router. I've just installed it, but I've encountered a few issues when using the Admin portal.

When accessing the Admin portal, the Wi-Fi (both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks) drops out for about 30 seconds every minute or two. Additionally, the portal itself is often unresponsive, freezing frequently and forcing me to log in again to restore functionality.

It also appears that the router has been used previously, as the stand arrived damaged. Could you kindly check if there is a firmware or interface update available for this model? If not, would it be possible to send a brand new, unused router as a replacement?

The current firmware version is: SG4K100174.

I really appreciate your help with this!

[Debbie-TalkTalk]

Hi @tommycooker 

Thanks for your reply.

The replacement router is on its way, please allow 24-48hrs for this to arrive.

Please let us know how you get on.

Debbie

[tommycooker]

Hi there,

I'd be more than happy to receive a newer version router provided it is DSL-compatible? My house only has copper wire in via a telephone ASDL cable for the router.

Many thanks.

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Hello again,

Thank you. We don't have a newer version of firmware for the HG633 router, however we can send a Wifi Hub router instead. Would this be ok?

Thanks

Michelle

[tommycooker]

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply, I have added these details to my profile.

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Hi tommy,

Can you please update your community profile to include your:

• Name
• TalkTalk Telephone number
• Alternative contact number

We'll then look into this further. Please do not post this information on this thread. Once you've updated your profile please post in your topic to confirm it's updated.

Thanks

Michelle