Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Airport: Will Apple issue fix for latest WPA2 exploit 'KRACK'?

Will Apple issue fix for the WPA2 KRACK exploit?

  • Yes, Apple will do the right thing

    Votes: 15 62.5%

  • No, Apple is done with home networking devices

    Votes: 7 29.2%

  • Siri will let us know if she detects someone hacking our WiFi

    Votes: 2 8.3%
  • Total voters
    24
G

gmanWA

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 12, 2009
29
11
I guess that is the $64K question. With the Airport teams scattered to the wind, will Apple issue a fix for the latest exploit or will we all be taking our Airports to the nearest recycling center?

(To add to the wishlist, since Airplay2 is apparently just a software change, it would be really great if Apple did the right thing and offered this update for the untold number of Airport Express devices powering our various speakers.)

Severe flaw in WPA2 ...
 
RedTomato said:
Apple still sells various Airport models for £100-£400 online and at their stores.

https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/mac/mac-accessories/networking

It's probably the world's most expensive non-professional wifi access point, damn right Apple should be updating it to address any issues that crop up.
Click to expand...

I'm actually curious about this; people keep saying Airport is vintage/obsolete yet Apple is still selling them with no signs of stopping.

Is there actually any real meat to the information that they're being discontinued? I'm actually thinking of upgrading to the newest revision of the Extreme since my older Airport Time Capsule (with a failed drive in it) is long in the tooth.
 
belvdr said:
Not by a long shot.
Click to expand...

"Most expensive and least capable," perhaps? :p

zorinlynx said:
Is there actually any real meat to the information that they're being discontinued? I'm actually thinking of upgrading to the newest revision of the Extreme since my older Airport Time Capsule (with a failed drive in it) is long in the tooth.
Click to expand...

TBH, after I actually researched my earlier statement, I didn't see any hard evidence of the product line being on the chopping block. Next time I'll Google it before I type it, haha.
 
  • Like
Reactions: belvdr
DJLC said:
"Most expensive and least capable," perhaps? :p



TBH, after I actually researched my earlier statement, I didn't see any hard evidence of the product line being on the chopping block. Next time I'll Google it before I type it, haha.
Click to expand...

The other thing I realized is that the Airport Extreme still supports the latest standards. Even though it's a few years old, there hasn't been much movement in WiFi tech since then; 802.11ac is still the best you can get.

I just wish they had refurbs available as I don't want to pay full price. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: supermars
This is a little more than a standard software update or adding a new feature. This is an important security patch that needs to be addressed so I would say it will be very interesting how this plays out for Apple.
 
  • Like
Reactions: supermars
>>>I just wish they had refurbs available as I don't want to pay full price.

Me neither. Google "store.apple.com refurbished airport extreme" and see if they have them. I just checked last week for an Express, and it was available, though not right at this moment.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I read, the vulnerability can be mitigated by a patch from the client, so the routers don't have to be patched (of course, ideally both sides should be patched). Correct me if I'm wrong though.
 
I took it from “
When did you first notify vendors about the vulnerability?
We sent out notifications to vendors whose products we tested ourselves around 14 July 2017. ”
 
kohlson said:
>>>I just wish they had refurbs available as I don't want to pay full price.

Me neither. Google "store.apple.com refurbished airport extreme" and see if they have them. I just checked last week for an Express, and it was available, though not right at this moment.
Click to expand...
Best Buy and Staples run sales on the Airport Extreme from time to time. I bought mine at Best Buy for $30 off a while back.
 
Apple has told iMore that Airports are not vulnerable to the client attack, and apparently that is because Apple never implemented the protocol properly. Whether this holds up should you have multiple Airports configured throughout your home to improve wireless reception, I am not sure.

If the clients such as iOS and Mac are vulnerable to some form of Krack attack despite implementation errors, then I imagine any Airports acting as clients too maybe vulnerable.
 
I was debating selling my AirPort Extreme when the rumor started of the team being reassigned.

If they don't issue a fix for the router, I'm getting an Amplifi.
 
dumastudetto said:
Apple has told iMore that Airports are not vulnerable to the client attack, and apparently that is because Apple never implemented the protocol properly. Whether this holds up should you have multiple Airports configured throughout your home to improve wireless reception, I am not sure.
Click to expand...
Older Android devices are not vulnerable for exactly that reason. With hindsight, the more complicated parts of the protocol should have never been implemented by anyone.
 
zorinlynx said:
The other thing I realized is that the Airport Extreme still supports the latest standards. Even though it's a few years old, there hasn't been much movement in WiFi tech since then; 802.11ac is still the best you can get.

I just wish they had refurbs available as I don't want to pay full price. :)
Click to expand...

Some are available refurbished now and then. It just takes some persistence checking the Apple online store.
[doublepost=1508812449][/doublepost]
Gueeds said:
I was debating selling my AirPort Extreme when the rumor started of the team being reassigned.

If they don't issue a fix for the router, I'm getting an Amplifi.
Click to expand...

And that's all there is to it. A rumour. For all we know, the teams were pulled to work on something very important, until they are re- reassigned.... back to the Airport (or whatever HomeKit wonder device Apple plans to replace it with).
 
I am holding out hope that with the firmware update for the routers yesterday there is a better than 50/50 chance they will issue another update upgrading all the Airport Express devices to Airplay2 when the Homepod is released. I think it makes sense for Apple as it gives them instant marketshare with Airplay2.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back