[Nottingham] wifi extenders and slow emails

[Martin]

Folks,

Forwarded from Nigel:

Any insights?

Cheers,
Martin


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Can anyone recommend a wifi extender that is reliable, secure, easy to
set up and inexpensive?

I've been using a TP-Link RE200 but have recently read that there are
potential security problems with some TP-Link products, although not
specifically the RE200. To add to my concerns my browser flags up links
given in the RE200 manual as potentially containing malware and warns
against opening them.  Even more worrying is that the TP-Link website
itself acknowledges the insecurity.  I guess that all extenders create
vulnerabilities but that some are more secure than others.

What I need is an extender with an ethernet port as my basic desktop
lacks wifi facility.  I have a Dynamode wireless USB adapter that works
well if the desktop is close to the router but even if it's close to the
extender internet performance seems to be better with a wired connection.

See:
https://www.cnet.com/news/these-wi-fi-extenders-had-vulnerabilities-that-gave-hackers-complete-control/
https://securityintelligence.com/posts/critical-rce-vulnerability-in-tp-link-wi-fi-extenders-can-grant-attackers-remote-control/
https://medium.com/advisability/the-in-security-of-the-tp-link-technologies-tl-wa850re-wi-fi-range-extender-26db87a7a0cc

Another query:

Do you have experience of PlusNet's Webmail?  It can be frustratingly
slow compared with other email providers on the same router.  Any way of
improving speed?  Would it be better if accessed through Thunderbird?

The PlusNet link to enabling this is archived, implying that it might
not be much help.  As an alternative to Webmail can you suggest free
email providers that don't collect or sell personal information?

Any insights welcome.

Cheers

Nigel
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