Hi there, I’m looking to get into self-hosting for privacy reasons and I wanted to ask y’all: how inadvisable is it to utilize an ISP-owned router/modem? I feel like they’re able to track everything I do online with their more than likely integrated spyware.


Router provided by my ISP is just garbage. The settings are so scrace, I might as well just connect my PC directly (if I could, cause cable is DOCSIS). Had to buy 10yo DOCSIS router that actually is usable.
If your router is fine in settings, maybe changing it won’t be necessary. As for ISP spying on you - probably possible but certainly is not likely.
Alternatively, you don’t have to be restricted to a 10-year-old router just because of DOCSIS.
You could change the router to bridge mode , effectively making it just an external modem for any ethernet-to-ethernet router of your choosing.
The router that comes with my ISP contract is garbo and I highly doubt it has bridge function. With my used 60euro worth fritzbox, I keep the customization options and reliability. It has been 1.5 years and it hasnt failed me a single time while the other constantly had issues with stuff connecting to it.