Can you go to the manufacturer download site, save the file to the phone, then go to the firmware update page in the router GUI, and browse to the file you saved earlier, just like on a PC?
From: Josh Luthman via Af Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2014 10:20 PM To: af@afmug.com Subject: Re: [AFMUG] cheap computer phone support Phone can just use the web interface like a PC would. Josh Luthman Office: 937-552-2340 Direct: 937-552-2343 1100 Wayne St Suite 1337 Troy, OH 45373 On Wed, Dec 24, 2014 at 11:16 PM, Ken Hohhof via Af <af@afmug.com> wrote: My current problem is I scanned my network and found about 45 customers with UPnP open to the Internet, I think they are mostly DLinks with some older Linksys thrown in. I sent a little note to each of them recommending they update the firmware and/or disable UPnP, then run the Rapid7 “Scan My Router Now” test. There is even a DLink video telling you how to update your firmware: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHnacMKb2ro I would venture a guess 99% of customers have never updated their router firmware. This is something IMHO they need to know how to do or pay someone to do, like changing the oil in your car. I think the only way Windows Update ever gets run is because the computer came with it configured for automatic updates. What’s scary is the trend toward people having only phones, tablets, game consoles, TVs, Rokus, etc. on their WiFi, no actual computers and certainly nothing with an Ethernet cable. How do you update the firmware on your router from a phone, if they want you to download the firmware to your computer and then upload it to the router? At least Netgear gives you buttons when you log into the router GUI to check for new firmware and to do the upgrade, without having to first store it on your computer. And as dependent as these remote support companies are on remote control software like Teamviewer and GoToSupport, how do they handle the customer with no computers? Do they remote into a phone or tablet? Even if that is possible, it’s got to be really clumsy to reprogram someone’s WiFi using a remote session to a WiFi device. From: CBB - Jay Fuller via Af Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2014 9:15 PM To: af@afmug.com Subject: Re: [AFMUG] cheap computer phone support thats why i love reverse DHCP based on MAC. Tell us you have a new router, check the bridge table on the SM and update the mac. Additionally, a lot of people NAT the sms. Early days we had trouble with that and i've just never liked it... ----- Original Message ----- From: Philip Rankin via Af To: af Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2014 4:50 PM Subject: Re: [AFMUG] cheap computer phone support The first thing the manufacturer does is tell the customer to hard reset their router. If you use pppoe like we do, then someone has to re-setup the pppoe information. You are FAR better off to simply handle your customer computer problems yourself and charge a lot for the work! IMHO! On Wed, Dec 24, 2014 at 2:34 PM, Ken Hohhof via Af <af@afmug.com> wrote: That doesn't quite look like the answer. Maybe one approach is to push these people to call the manufacturer. I see that Linksys, Netgear, Belkin, DLink all have paid support after 30 days. Dell has paid support. Apple has Applecare. HP has SmartFriend which seems to cover a wide variety of problems and non HP computers, maybe that's where I should send them: https://h30617.www3.hp.com/HP/subscription-services/index.asp -----Original Message----- From: Tyler Treat via Af Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2014 1:40 PM To: af@afmug.com Subject: Re: [AFMUG] cheap computer phone support Is securitycoverage.com still relevant? DTNSpeednet used to push it. ___________________________ Mangled by my iPhone. ___________________________ Tyler Treat Corn Belt Technologies, Inc. tyler.tr...@cornbelttech.com ___________________________ On Dec 24, 2014, at 1:22 PM, Ken Hohhof via Af <af@afmug.com> wrote: Is there a service out there? For stuff that's clearly not our problem? I'm trying to take a firmer stance about not spending an hour on the phone walking someone through fixing their computer or router, because they are too lazy to Google it or use the manufacturer's website, or haven't a clue when it comes to computers. I give them the number for a computer shop, but often they say I can't pay $100 to have someone fix my computer or router or printer or smart TV. My business is at the size where I'm not big enough to make computer repair a profit center, but if I keep doing this stuff for free, I'm going to have to hire someone to do it, and that's not a cost I can absorb. Is there a place maybe with call centers in India that will do this for less? I know the telcos offer this service for a monthly fee, and I assume they are outsourcing it. Note that I'm not talking about phone support for Internet problems. Oh, and kudos to Apple for fixing the NTP vulnerability without asking permission. I can't believe the media is portraying this in a negative light. I'm tired of people who don't keep their computers and routers and other devices updated. Do people drive their cars until the engine freezes up because they are too lazy or cheap or clueless to get the oil changed? I suppose some do. Maybe we need the government to come do all these things for us. -- Philip J. Rankin Wireless Telecommunications Services PO Box 24 Pittsburg, KS 66762
