>>509498010>>509498226>modem>routerif you're quoting someone and using a completely different term incorrectly, ngmi
the modem stands for modulate/demodulate and its the converter for something like coax cable or fiber (ONT - optical network terminal). its the thing typically between your broadband ISP and you. back in the day, it was dialup with potentially ISDN or DSL.
the router or gateway is the thing that sits between your ISP (WAN) connection, whatever media that is, and your local network of devices (LAN). it typically is what runs DHCP to assign 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x IP addresses to your local devices. Some routers have wifi built into them, but more 'serious' network engineers will run dedicated access points over PoE (power of ethernet) to expand their network.
there's a 90%+ chance you're a normie who is using some modem + router given to you by your ISP. if that's the case, you got a long way to go before you even approach "hackerman" status.
if you're not making VLANs and setting up firewalls for segmenting off your IoT/Guest network from your Trusted network, then you're way more open than you even know if someone truly wanted to attack your network.