The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially clarified the broad regulations that they proposed a few months ago, which many people believed would lead to the banning of using open source firmware on Wi-Fi routers, according to Engadget. The proposal has officially been modified to allow open source firmware such as DD-WRT and Tomato and will only ban tweaks that create issues such as overly strong signals.
Before the FCC modified the proposal, it stated that routers would be "protected from 'flashing' and the installation of third-party firmware such as DD-WRT," according to Lifehacker. However, the modifications clarify that the intentions of the proposal are to prevent people from overpowering their Wi-Fi routers and interfering with the ability of others to use the equipment in standard ways.
"The purpose of this rule is to prevent modifications to the software that could, for example, disable dynamic frequency selection (technology necessary for preventing interference to radars), enable tuning to unauthorized frequencies, increase power above authorized levels, etc," the document reads.
"The rule is not intended to prevent or inhibit modification of any other software or firmware in the device, such as software modifications to improve performance, configure RF networks or improve cybersecurity."
Router hacking has become a commonplace procedure for the technologically apt and standard firmware is considered to be quite inferior to customized hacks, according to Betanews.
