NMGLugers, I was having some trouble with my wifi on a laptop with a Realtek rtk8188ee wifi card. My install media, with kernel 5.4.0-26 would see and set up the card, but updates to the kernel deactivated the wifi. I learned how to select the earlier kernel on boot, but was still wondering what the issue was. One online post, I forget where, identified it as a function of the method of checking the WPA/WPA2 authentication. I tried adding dkms and some of the realtek parts for that. A mistake.

Today I found an article at arstechnica.com: https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwii17Tgm9jsAhUJobMKHce0DYQYABADGgJxbg&sig=AOD64_2TidbJSsZouIJm6B2clX3uV1vRLw&adurl=&q=&nb=0&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Farstechnica.com%2Finformation-technology%2F&nm=13&nx=306&ny=13&is=1112x595

This article identifies the issue as a bug that leaves the card open to local exploitation, by someone within wifi range who could cause a buffer overflow without the user being aware. I am guessing that the updates deactivate the card to prevent this.

In the meantime I have ordered an Atheros card to replace the Realtek card. I will be able to switch to the latest kernel once the new card is installed.

Thank you, Ted P