If you rely heavily on mobile networks or open access points, you know that it's not a bad idea to have an extra layer of protection. The question is whether that layer should be applied per device, or if it's better to adopt a centralized solution. If you think the second option is more convenient, then maybe you should take a close look at Mudi, a personal and portable 4G router based on OpenWrt that also includes direct Tor support, and several usage modes.
Some may call it paranoia, but we all think we're invulnerable until a smartphone ends up taken hostage by ransomware, or a Windows installation blows up, completely infected. And all that plague arrives through the Web, with open peer-to-peer connections, or compromised routers that capture information through sniffing.
The first line of defense when using open networks is to encrypt our sessions with a VPN, something we can do for free on iOS and Android by installing the Cloudflare WARP app. That same app also helps protect DNS traffic, activating the company's 1.1.1.1 server. And on Windows PCs, we can extend the Tor network to the whole system with programs like OnionFruit Connect. Now, how does it sound to have a router that takes care of those tasks?
Mudi: A 4G Router That Protects Your Privacy
Let's make a place for Mudi, a crowdfunding project that aims to launch a portable 4G router focused on privacy. How does it achieve this? First, by avoiding proprietary firmware in favor of OpenWrt. Second, Mudi has three additional modes besides its role as a 4G router: WiFi repeating, compatibility with fixed systems via Ethernet (we must connect its USB-C adapter for that), and tethering, taking internet access from a mobile device. Finally, Mudi includes a hardware switch to activate and deactivate at will its Tor support and VPN use. Mudi supports more than two dozen commercial VPNs, DNS over HTTPS, and DNS over TLS.
All very interesting so far, but how much does it hurt? The Kickstarter campaign for Mudi reached its minimum funding in just one week. If you're convinced that your privacy and security deserve dedicated hardware like Mudi, you'll have to pay 156 euros (without shipping), a value not so crazy compared to some high-end routers. If everything goes well, the first deliveries will begin in January 2020.
Official site: Click here
