[Daron1a2b]

I don't want to brick my router upon buying it so i'm asking questions so that way I could avoid doing that. This isn't my first router btw, but I did experience a buggy router before.

1. So in a video to install DD-WRT, I saw this screenshot: https://ibb.co/mikDdH

His connection was unprotected, is there a way to have it password protected?

2.The only way to brick the router during the dd-wrt process is if you flash the wrong file?

3. If I use DD-WRT, this means i'll have a stronger signal for Online FPS games or so such as Overwatch for example?

4. The router i'm about to get is the "(RT-AC66U_B1)". Upon going to the website to look it up, I saw one flashable file there https://ibb.co/bOt8dH. Do I flash this within the ASUS firmware like in this video @4:00 or not? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG3fVNT18Pc&t=34s

5. Is this video here the correct way to set it up? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG3fVNT18Pc&t=34s(there's some dislikes on the video with a guy saying he doesn't know what he's doing but there's still a good number of likes on the video).

[Wildlion]

1. Yes you can password protect

2. No there are other ways, such as an incomplete flash

3. Not necessarily, but you have more power to control settings so you can make it worse or better or the same

4. That router looks like it is listed here: https://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices so I would say that it is supported especially since I see the file here: ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2018/02-17-2018-r35034/asus-rt-ac66u/

I have never used this router so I can not be sure but from the supported devices it says:

Recommended: use ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool for ASUS router initial flash (*.TRX file)

5. There is no single correct way to set up a router... Everyone's needs are different. the wiki has a tutorial section that will help you: https://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Tutorials

I suggest that you only do it if you feel comfortable. Also please read things like the Peacock thread in the broadcom forum

NOTE: I nor anyone here is responsible if you break your router

[Daron1a2b]

[Malachi]

If it's an actual rt-ac66u B1, with non removeable antenna, then the firmware you would need to use is the one for the rt-ac68u. ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2018/02-17-2018-r35034/asus-rt-ac68u/asus_rt-ac68u-firmware.trx

If it is, you will need to put the router into recovery mode to upload the firmware as Asus has implemented firmware checks to prevent the flashing of third party firmware.
Flash it using the cfe mine web browser.
Search for instructions on how to do that.