Pete C. wrote:

Yes, avoiding installing *any* ISP provided software is a good thing.
Getting the ISP's supported home router package generally helps the
novice user avoid the ISP's malware.

We bought our own router to avoid the ISP's monthly fee for using their
router. Configuration was a mild pain but nothing a moderately experienced
computer user should be unable to do. Occasionally we have to recycle the
modem which the ISP provided but the router has been solid as a rock.