Using One of These D-Link VPN Routers? Why You Should Replace It ASAP

D-Link reports that six of its older VPN routers are affected by a serious security vulnerability and should be replaced.

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Headshot of Moe Long
Moe Long Senior Editor
Moe enjoys making technical content digestible and fun. As a writer and editor for over a decade, he has bylines at MakeUseOf, WhistleOut, TechBeacon, DZone, Tech Up Your Life, and Electromaker. When he's not hammering away at the keyboard, Moe enjoys spending time with his partner and dog, listening to vinyl, and watching film.
Expertise Apps | Operating systems | Software
Moe Long
2 min read
VPN hacking and security
James Martin/CNET

VPNs can boost your online privacy by masking your internet and app activity from your ISP. While you can install a VPN app on individual devices, running a virtual private network on your router lets you add whole-home privacy and circumvent device limits. But if you’re using select D-Link VPN routers, you may be risking a serious security vulnerability. 

As the company announced earlier this week, six of its older VPN routers are affected by a security exploit called a stack buffer vulnerability. Essentially, this means it’s possible to remotely execute code on one of the impacted routers, so a bad actor could inject malicious code. The affected units include:

  • DSR-150
  • DSR-150N
  • DSR-250
  • DSR-250N
  • DSR-500N
  • DSR-1000N

Because these models are at the end of their service life, meaning the manufacturer no longer provides service through updates, D-Link won’t be patching the vulnerability. Instead, D-Link recommends that users replace their routers. If you currently own any of these routers, you can take advantage of an offer to take 20% off the price of a new DSR-250v2 VPN router. 

Alternatively, you may be able to install a VPN on another router -- but you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t void your warranty. You can also buy some routers with VPNs preinstalled. ExpressVPN’s Aircove and Aircove Go routers provide easy ways to set up a whole-home virtual private network by coming installed with ExpressVPN. If you’re using another VPN service, like NordVPN, Surfshark or Proton VPN, FlashRouters has a slew of different options. You can also use a Windows PC as a mobile hotspot to turn your desktop or laptop into a makeshift VPN router. 

For devices that support native VPN apps, like Windows, MacOS and Linux PCs, Androids, iPhones, Apple TV streamers and Amazon Fire TVs, you can forgo a VPN router entirely. You can check out our complete guide to using a VPN for more detailed information on configuring a virtual private network on different devices. In addition to using a VPN for privacy, consider running some of the best antivirus software (or free antivirus software if you want to save money) for comprehensive cybersecurity protection.