A router is a device that directs data traffic among different networks and can join multiple wired or wireless networks together. Routers have software that can understand a large number of protocols and make complex decisions.

This piece of technology can come in handy as it lets computers share a cable, DSL or satellite internet connection. Given this, routers can generally offload traffic burden from your computers, which in turn increases the performance of the applications.

Routers can also act as a type of security device, as some have firewalls to provide considerable protection against people hacking into your computers and accessing information. They can also monitor usage and send warnings or emails when it detects something abnormal. Routers can also have filters that can stop local users, such as children, from accessing sites that you don’t want them to see.