r/HowToHack • u/ovhq • 25m ago
hacking labs Using an old Netgear router in my Kali lab. What should I practice
I’ve got a dedicated Kali Linux setup running on its own SSD (not just a VM). Up to now I’ve mainly been using it for my own jailbreak project (Snailbreak), but I just dug out an old Netgear router and thought it would be fun to add some real hardware into my lab.
I’m keeping it completely isolated (no internet connection, just my Kali PC → router via LAN). I want to use it as a practice target for both attacking and then hardening.
My ideas so far:
– Run nmap service scans
– Try Hydra for default creds
– Search Netgear CVEs with searchsploit / Metasploit
– Test Wi-Fi security (if the wireless still works)
– Then flip it around and practice hardening (patch, disable WPS, change configs, strong creds)
I’m curious what other attack/defense scenarios you’d recommend I try on this hardware? Any tools, techniques, or realistic exercises you think would be useful?
(To be clear: this is only in my own lab with my own router nothing illegal. Just want to expand my skills into embedded devices, not only software targets.)