Stupid question about a router

d_luxx · October 2009

I think I'm just paranoid but...
I recently moved and set up wireless in my new place. I had a pretty new wired router that I no longer need, so I decided to sell it on Craigslist.
My question is, can a router store any kind of browser history, or *scary* other information like credit card info ? I know the new owner would probably reset it, blah, blah, blah, but do I have anything to worry about, or are there any precautions I should take ? The listing is up, but the router is still in my possession, so its not too late

doctorj · October 2009

If you want to be on the safe side, you need to degauss the router to clear it of its cookies and IP logs. Most people don't have ready access to the type of electromagnetic pulse generator used in industry for this purpose, but 45 seconds in a standard microwave oven (600-1000W) should be equally effective.

whynot_31 · October 2009

seriously? this seems like it would create the lightning effect you get when you microwave metal.

Routers have metal.

...esp those that are designed to work on wood instead of computers.

em26 · October 2009

whynot_31 wrote: seriously? this seems like it would create the lightning effect you get when you microwave metal.

Routers have metal.

...esp those that are designed to work on wood instead of computers.

WTF is up with you and wood? :?

doctorj · October 2009

You only get that lightning effect when you microwave solid pieces of metal that aren't earthed. By contrast, the router's circuitry is earthed, causing it to act as a Faraday Cage and protecting the components from direct induction. The resulting electromagnetic fields in the 253.7nm band are sufficient to reset the router's EPROM, back to its pre-factory state.

whynot_31 · October 2009

got it.

P.S. Those into Faraday Cages should check out the science museum in Boston. I haven't been in several years, but it was excellent fun with lightning.

Cute woodchuck. Looks very soft and petable

blenderfish · October 2009

I don't have a lot of experience with wired routers, but wireless routers can keep some generally harmless information. You could reset it to factory settings yourself so you don't have to worry. That should remove anything remotely valuable, and the odds that someone you sell it to will have the technical know-how to retrieve anything at that point are slim to none.

Just on a gut level, I would advise against the microwave idea. Seems to me that someone might have their bad idea jeans on.

d_luxx · October 2009

thanks everybody. I think I'll reset it to factory settings and skip the microwave idea.

Stupid question about a router

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