Your router stands between your devices and the internet, which makes it an appealing target for hackers. However, we usually don’t pay it too much attention unless something goes wrong. Routers can be attacked and infected with malware, putting your whole network in danger. Here’s how to tell if your router has viruses and tips for how to start afresh with a clean slate.
You can buy a router for anything from $20 to several hundred dollars. Cheap options have poor security, their firmware can’t be updated automatically, and it’s easy to attack them. While high-end routers are more secure, they can also be hacked.
Many people use default passwords on their routers and don’t bother to change them. Perpetrators can crack your password, connect to the router, modify its settings, and infect the whole network with viruses. A single router can support your phone, laptop, smart home system, or even your electricity meter. It gives hackers a wide range of possible attack vectors, and by the time you notice that something’s wrong, it might already be too late.
VPNFilter is one of the most notorious pieces of router malware. It has infected more than half a million routers and network-attached storage drives in more than 50 countries since 2016. This virus exploited known system vulnerabilities to install malware on affected devices and even steal users’ sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details. VPNFilter is very persistent, as it still can damage your network after a router is rebooted and it takes effort to remove malware from your router.
The attacks can also be conducted the other way around: perpetrators can hack your phone and then infect your router. This is exactly how the Switcher Trojan works. In 2016, hackers created a few fake Android apps that impersonated Baidu (a Chinese search engine) and a Wi-Fi password sharing app. Once they got into the person’s phone and managed to connect to a router, they changed the default DNS server address to a malicious one. This caused the victim’s traffic to be redirected so that hackers could see everything they do online.
If you’re confident that you have a virus on your router, resetting it to factory settings may delete most malware.
If your router has been compromised, you need to change all your passwords. Start from your administrator credentials and then move to your accounts. Avoid short passwords such as “kangaroo” or “james200” as hackers can crack them in a snap. Look at no less than 12-character passwords and be sure to use special symbols and numbers along with lower- and uppercase letters.
Whether it’s your phone or computer that has been infected through your router, you need to perform a full scan of your system. Use a dedicated antivirus software to search for anything suspicious. Otherwise, a virus can sit silently on your machine and continue doing its dirty job.
While your router might have the latest firmware version installed, it’s better to check this for yourself. You can download the updates from the manufacturer’s website.
If you’re looking for extra security, configure a VPN for your router. It will mask your IP address and encrypt traffic, thus mitigating the risk of getting attacked again. Not all routers are VPN-compatible, but if they are, you can use a VPN to protect your whole router network with encryption.
Alternatively, a VPN on your device can keep you safe from any snoopers using a router to snoop on your traffic. However you want to use it, a VPN will go a long way towards helping to keep you safe.
Protect your router and enhance your privacy with a VPN.