By Miriam Raftery
May 30, 2018 (San Diego) – The FBI has issued a warning of Russian hackers infecting computer routers. The hack is linked to an espionage group loading malware that has already caused major attacks in the Ukraine and has now been found on home and office computer routers in the U.S.
The federal law enforcement agency is asking the public to help thwart a cyberattack by taking the following steps:
Turn your router off, then turn it back on again. This will temporarily disrupt the malware and erase parts of it, though it’s still possible that your router could be reinfected.
For better protection, be sure your router has updated software and create a strong password. Some routers have default passwords that have never been changed and are easy to hack, such as 1-2-3-4.
You could also disable remote management settings on your router.
If you need help to protect your router, check with your router manufacturer, since several major router makers have posted instructions for users on how to update their software and protect their systems.
Comments
Hacking
True prevention
I think my router is affected by Russian hack but blocks attack
Every once in a while, I'll be denied access to https sites (the "s" stands for "secured"), with a warning that the site is not encrypted, it affects all https sites. I unplug the router, wait ten seconds and plug it back in. Wow, so I might be affected, except my router caught it, and i believe my information was not compromised by this attempted Russian hack of my personal data. One thing to add to your story Miriam, but that I would add a disclaimer to, CNN recommends resetting your router to factory settings, possibly using a pointed object on the device, and i would add to be sure you know the password it will reset to, and then, like you say, updating the software and changing the password if it's still on the router company's factory provided password.
Routers
Jonathan - I don't think the "not secured" warning on many sites has anything to do with the router. It's your security system telling you that the website you visited may be insecure. That has happened to all of my computers at times and even on laptops.
Thanks for the tip on resetting routers to factory settings, which may be helpful to our readers.
OpenWrt may be an option (but know what you are doing...)