With the proliferation of internet aware devices into young households, cyber security and safety are understandably at the forefront of many parents today. For this reason, D-Link has partnered with Intel and McAfee and launched the D-Fend AC2600 Wi-Fi Router (DIR-2680).
An industry first for the consumer market, the DIR-2680 connects McAfee’s Secure Home Platform to the cube-shaped D-Fend router. This provides security software as well as network protection all in the one box.
Key specifications of the D-Fend AC2600 Wi-Fi Router:| PowerZone | No |
| Mesh System | No |
| Ethernet Speed | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Warranty | 3-Year Limited Warranty |
| NBN/UFB Support | FTTP / Satellite / Fixed Wireless / Cable only |
| LAN Port(s) | 3 |
| USB Ports | USB 3.0 |
| CD-less Install | Yes |
| Guest Network | Yes |
| Parental Controls | Yes |
| mydlink enabled | No |
| Wireless Technology | AC2600 (800 + 1753 Mbps) |
| Wireless Bands | Dual Band |
| WAN Interface | Gigabit Ethernet |
| VoIP | No |
| Whole Home WiFi | No |
| Wave 2 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi | Yes |
Rear ports on the D-Fend AC2600 Wi-Fi Router 
D-Fend AC2600 Wi-Fi Router 
D-Fend AC2600 Wi-Fi Router
Security
Security and parental controls is a heavy feature of the D-Fend AC2600. The D-Fend platform is designed to help keep kids safe online by letting you put controls in place around age-appropriate content and categories. Now, no system will be 100% accurate so this isn’t a set and forget system, you should still do the occasional spot check/test to ensure things are running smoothly.
Warns you of potential issues 
Easy blacklisting of sites 
Child specific profiles 
Various integration options
Another neat feature is the ability to create profiles for each kid. This gives you the flexibility to have child specific configurations around access times etc… If they are misbehaving, simply ask Alexa to turn off their internet access. 😎
That said, security on the DIR-2680 doesn’t stop at access control. The bundled McAfee Secure Home Platform can also provide automatic antivirus protection on all network devices. These include smart TVs, IP cameras, phones, etc…
The great thing about security prevention on the D-Fend router is that it is always learning and improving. D-Fend’s advanced cloud-based machine learning helps to provide constant updates to its threat database and manages protection strategies in real-time.
Wireless Performance
Compared to the D-Link Viper 2600, the D-Link D-Fend AC2600 Wi-Fi Router (DIR-2680) performed quite well. The signal reach was similar or better than the Viper.
Coverage same floor as the D-Fend Router 
Coverage same floor as the Viper 2600
Coverage one floor above the D-Fend 
Coverage one floor above the Viper 2600
Final Thoughts
D-Link has taken the humble wireless router and improved it to make it more relevant in today’s connected world. Having bolstered the security aspects of the router by teaming up with industry leaders Intel and McAfee they have brought to a very congested market a unique offering. Given the price tag, it would have been nice to also include a 10Gbe port but was otherwise pretty impressed with what the D-Fend DIR-2680 had to offer.
If you are in the market for a new wireless router and have
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