▲ ▼ Inexpensive secure home network routers
Inexpensive home routers available on Amazon, Walmart, eBay are riddled with security vulnerabilities which allows a remote attacker to take control over the device and get inside our home network.
People buy these routers because they are inexpensive and very easy to setup but has to pay much more once hacked. Secure home routers from reputed brands which receive regular updates are expensive or DIY home routers are hard to setup for an average person.
There is a need gap for inexpensive secure home network routers which are easy to setup.
With Ubiquiti's hack - https://krebsonsecurity.com/2021/04/ubiquiti-all-but-confirms-breach-response-iniquity/ , Companies which link the network devices to their cloud infrastructure cannot be trusted. If anyone's building a new home network router, Please ensure it's standalone.
You could flash your firmware and use OpenWrt (assuming it is one of the 1500+ supported models.) It's still not a 100% solution but since it's open source it's easier to audit.
Although LUCI web interface has made OpenWRT more accessible to new users than other aftermarket router firmwares, even basic computer-networking skills are beyond the targeted customers of entry level routers from eCommerce websites. They usually come with one click configurations for ISPs in the country of sale or even preconfigured from their ISPs.
I have that router, time to burn it with fire. But as you say, there doesn't seem to be a decent secure alternative in $50 price range?