Cannot Remote Access Netcomm NF4V Router Nor USB Stick on Router

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Cannot Remote Access Netcomm NF4V Router Nor USB Stick on Router

HomerJS

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#208825 1-Mar-2017 09:12

Hello,

I've just had my Orcon fibre installed. I have the Netcomm NF4V router provided by Orcon and have a fixed IP address. My router's software version is: GURNV5.OT132A-8-NC.Orcon-R5B036.EN

2 Problems/questions:

1. Remote Access to Router. I cannot set my router up for remote access? It appears the firmware Orcon have installed is different from Netcomm's. I have no ability to get to the "services control screen as it's not there! The manual says: "management > access control > services control"

So now I cannot remotely access my router.

2. Remote Access to USB Stick. Also, I have a USB stick plugged into the router. I can access this internally from home via File Explorer but cannot access from the WAN/outside the network. Wondering if it's to do with the port forwarding (I have some set up for my IPcams).

When I enter my IP address from outside the network it goes straight to the login for one of my IPCams on my network.

I contacted Orcon but they said not their problem and to contact Netcomm Wireless! Even though it's Orcon's firmware which I think is causing this.

Any help appreciated.

PS: Anyone know what the difference is between "blocking mode" vs "standard mode" on the LAN setup screen in the router? Mine is set to 'blocking mode' enabled by default.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew

robfish

683 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1728132 1-Mar-2017 09:23

I was for years a staunch advocate for Orcon but since they were bought by CallPlus their "helpdesK" has gone downhill.

Their classic response is normally reboot or reset the modem/router.

After several problems over the last year or so I have decided to switch to BigPipe.

Rob

sbiddle

30853 posts

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#1728134 1-Mar-2017 09:23

Firstly you've got to be crazy to allow remote access to a router. That's right up there at the top on the list of things you should never ever do above port forwards. If you want remote access to devices it should only be via VPN or some other remote access method such as Team Viewer.

mugs2000

66 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#1728137 1-Mar-2017 09:27

I can't speak for the Orcon software, but I bought an NF4V just over a year ago when we upgraded to VDSL. It worked flawlessly until December last year when I lost remote access. I did a factory reset then restored settings. This worked until last month when I lost local access to it. Another factory reset. Now wi-fi devices keep loosing connection until we do a power cycle.

I've decided to replace it. This might be a "one-off" faulty router, but I don't want to take the chance on another one. This router was one that did everything I needed until the excrement clobbered the whirly thing

HomerJS

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1728477 1-Mar-2017 19:41

Thanks Steve,

Dam... I thought you were going to say that :-) You've been a great help in the past with your posts on home networking as I wired up my house with Cat6 everywhere so I do trust what you say and appreciate your words.

I rang Netcomm and they advised that USB sicks can only be accessed internally and are purely for storage. Based on that I'm not sure what the point is in having them? (media server for TV?).

The Netcomm chap also said to install their latest firmware (after backing up my Orcon modem config) then install my backup over it. I did that but problem still remains in that I don't have access to the 'services control' screen. They said I would have to use their firmware, factory reset, then ring Orcon to get the necessary figures to set up the modem. All too hard for me, plus I respect what Steve B says.

Anyhoo, I have tried TeamViewer. Not really what I was after but still learning.

So Steve... you said port forwarding is real bad (and I see on other posts you have said the same). This is what I'm doing currently for access to my webcams. Is this because it makes it easier for hackers to get past my modem and into the computer easier?

Also, when referring to VPN as a better method for remote access (and I'm talking access to webcams) are you talking paid for VPN services? or is their a VPN setup in modems? I'm a bit green in this area but keen to learn. I would appreciate just a basic explanation on this and then I can do the rest. I know you are too busy to give details.

Cheers,

Andrew

bagheera

539 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1728516 1-Mar-2017 20:58

HomerJS:

you said port forwarding is real bad (and I see on other posts you have said the same). This is what I'm doing currently for access to my webcams. Is this because it makes it easier for hackers to get past my modem and into the computer easier?

https://arstechnica.com/security/2016/01/how-to-search-the-internet-of-things-for-photos-of-sleeping-babies/

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1729097 2-Mar-2017 19:36

The issue isn't somebody watching your sleeping baby.. It's that many of these IoT things and CCTV cameras have horrible buggy firmware or backdoor passwords and are being used for massive DDoS attacks on a regular basis.

A couple of the huge attacks towards the end of last year involved huge numbers of compromised CCTV devices. DVR's have also been compromised for bitcoin mining.

Many routers (but not typically your average consumer grade device) have the ability to terminate a VPN, ie you set your phone VPN to point to your home router and then get an IP address on your local network for browsing local devices. The same thing can be done quite cheaply by buying a ~$50 Mikrotik router and setting up a port forward to the Mikrotik to do the same thing.

HomerJS

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1729152 2-Mar-2017 21:52

Thanks very much for your info. I see you have tried to convey this on other posts too!

Would I be able to achieve what you're suggesting on my Orcon provided Netcomm NF4V router and using a VPN such as ExpressVPN?

If not, please note I also have an Asus AC88U router which I use downstream as a wireless hotspot/extender. Could I route all internet from the NF4V through the Asus and use the AC88U instead for VPN?

Thanks.

PS: Cripes... Did you know you have made 24,420 posts! Much appreciated.

Equinox IT

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ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

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Vocus

#1729157 2-Mar-2017 22:04

Without being rude, what possible use case does remote router configuration access have for a home user? I'm honestly perplexed by this. It is a serious security issue, which is why we disable it and hide the option on our supplied routers.

sbiddle

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#1729221 3-Mar-2017 07:27

HomerJS:

Would I be able to achieve what you're suggesting on my Orcon provided Netcomm NF4V router and using a VPN such as ExpressVPN?

If not, please note I also have an Asus AC88U router which I use downstream as a wireless hotspot/extender. Could I route all internet from the NF4V through the Asus and use the AC88U instead for VPN?

ExpressVPN is a public VPN service for hiding your location/bypassing geolocks or protecting yourself, it's not a VPN located inside your network for accessing local devices.

If you installed DD-WRT on your router you would be able to use it for terminating your own VPN, but ideally you would want the VPN terminating on your primary router.

HomerJS

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1729275 3-Mar-2017 08:50

Sorry Ubergeeknz, I should have explained it better. Yes, I'm happy to forget about remote access. My questions are referring to remote access to my CCTVs.

Thanks.