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Question

Router installation

May 11, 2018 2:33PM PDT

Hi. Advice would be really nice.

I bought a new wireless router(Mercusys-only one they had) and I the setup seems real simple, but after doing some googling, I see I might need to enter my ISPs username and PW and address and other stuff.

Is this necessary or will it be automatic?
I need to know cuz I won;t have net access.
What will they ask for apart from ISP username and PW?

I don;t have a modem, just a cable.

I;m changing routers just in case the other one is compromised so I need to disconnect the old one completely.
If the new router doesnt request all the ISP stuff, does that mean I am still somehow using the old router and that compromises security? Should it ask for the ISP stuff?
I also read that if it doesn;t, it means Im just using the router;s wifi and not my cable connection.


Process(cable, no modem)
Turn off old router, take out cables.. should I disconnect the router from PC or ath else?
Insert power line and cable connection into new router, wait and turn on.

Then I get different info on routers web page which i think i can easily access. Dunno about isp stuff.

Thanks!!!!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Varies with the ISP.
May 11, 2018 2:41PM PDT

My cable modem required me to call in and answer a few questions.
Your service may differ. Given your prior discussions such as https://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/security-measures/ I think all this work is not required. I've yet to encounter a compromised router in decades.

However I have worked with folk that are paranoid and all we do is factory reset the device and start over.

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Call
May 11, 2018 3:16PM PDT

How does my ISP verify I;m their user when I call them?
What info does one usually have to offer?

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Remember each ISP can differ.
May 11, 2018 3:21PM PDT

Here I had to answer with a PIN code that came with my new gear.

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not
May 11, 2018 3:23PM PDT

I didn't buy the gear from them.. just at a local store.

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As each ISP has a different system.
May 11, 2018 3:34PM PDT

I don't think anyone here can answer authoritatively.

Given your many posts though I worry you are burning up cash over this. Not once have we replaced a modem or router for what you have claimed. We'll factory reset and often update the router firmware but unless the client is insistent we use the working good gear.

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:)
May 11, 2018 4:22PM PDT

It was cheap. Happy

I know I seem paranoid as hello but you have no idea what I have to deal with.Thanks for the concern.

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Answer
PS.
May 11, 2018 2:42PM PDT

Our office and any company I've worked with never take advantage of folk "scared" that their gear was taken over. I'm just an engineer that wrote router code and more in the 90's.

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Answer
Well i have Spectrum internet which
May 14, 2018 4:34AM PDT

used to be Brighthouse. I had a modem I received from Bright House and I went and bought my own. I had to call Bright House and give them the Mac address so they could locate my modem which has a router built into it.