Posted on 06/14/2022 2:18:09 PM PDT by American Number 181269513
Your router is a crucial part of your home’s connection. It’s the primary way the internet gets into your house, and it sends out the Wi-Fi signal that connects all your wireless devices.
Has it been years since you updated your router? We put together a quick quiz to help you choose the perfect model for your home and needs. This is a must if your connection is spotty and your router isn’t equipped with the latest security standards. Tap or click here to take our router-finder quiz.
Even if your firmware is up to date, your router is still vulnerable to attack. No system is impenetrable, and the issue gets compounded when professional hackers from other countries get involved. Read on to see why Chinese hackers are targeting routers here in the U.S. and what you can do about it.
You might think your house is of no particular value to Chinese hackers. While that might be true, it isn’t always about what’s on the network but more about what it connects to. According to joint research from the FBI, NSA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Chinese hackers have been poking around U.S communication networks for over two years.
This includes home Wi-Fi routers, telephone networks and online storage. The goal isn’t to hack into these devices but to use them as part of a massive network of compromised infrastructure. Hackers can then use the combined power to launch attacks on critical and military targets, steal login credentials or hijack banking information.
According to the research paper, the People’s Republic of China has been exploiting “a wide variety of targets worldwide, including public and private sector organizations” since 2020. The majority of the targets are in the U.S.
In its report, the U.S. cybersecurity agency says Chinese hackers exploit known and unpatched vulnerabilities, tunneling their way through the network to collect and redirect traffic.
Hacking is complex, but there is one crucial thing you can do to keep safe or minimize your risk of an attack. You must update your router’s firmware each and every time a patch is available.
Unlike your computer or phone, you won’t get warning after warning when it’s time to update. We recommend checking at least every couple of months. Put a reminder on your calendar to do this quarterly. Bonus points if you schedule a monthly check. It only takes a few moments.
Here’s how to secure your home network and keep your devices safe:
Update your router’s firmware or operational software regularly. It might not prevent every attack, but it is a good security practice. The method is different for most routers, but when you log in, check for an Advanced or Management option and click on Updates.
Always change your router’s default password and ensure that it’s something that hackers can’t guess or find online. If you’ve never changed your password, here’s how to find the default login info so you can.
The most popular Wi-Fi security right now is Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) encryption. This standard is over a decade old. If you’re shopping for a new router, be sure it supports WPA3. To check your encryption settings, go to the router’s admin menu. You should be able to find encryption under the “Wireless” or “Security” menu.
While your router’s firmware is important, keep your connected devices updated with the latest vulnerability fixes, too. This is just one more weak spot in your home’s connection.
Only have devices connected to the internet that you use regularly. Old gadgets pose a considerable risk as support for them probably stopped long ago.
I keep my router in a tool cabinet in the garage.
Ain’t nobody gonna mess with it
Linked in another article on ways to find info on your router.
Bkmk
Avoid TP-Link brand, owned by ChiComs.
Chinese hackers going after what the Feds have already breached.
Strongly endorse Cradlepoint, but they are not cheap.
I am a regular citizen with a VPN.
My router, as all routers can be, is a hard firewall. I have zero concern the CCP has any interest in me. But that is not who I am worried about.
The only entity interested in my router, the websites I visit, what I buy, or which news I follow, is the US government. Specifically, the demo-communists.
This is likely a spyware update by the CIA,NSA,DOJ, etc. disguised as a ‘hacker/virus protection from China’ update.
WPA2 has known weaknesses. If you live in a crowded area (e.g., an apartment building) you definitely will want to upgrade to WPA3.
Ditto not buying Chinese routers (e.g., TP-Link) unless you reflash them with something open source like OpenWrt.
So there is a CCP spy outside my house trying to hack my hard wired cable to modem to router network? Hope he enjoys my adult porn sites. Er, my Forlorn Adult Tights.
In before the “you can pry XP from my cold, dead hands” folks start spamming the thread.
FWIW, Ubiquiti’s hardware is top notch for enthusiasts. I’ve got full 5G wifi across every foot of my 4 acres thanks to their hardware, but yeah, it’s not cheap.
If you have a piece of network hardware that’s older than 2016, you need to upgrade or consider flashing it with DD-WRT and rebuilding your network to your specifications.
Funny
Darn it, I meant Torn Adult Tights. Hope that didn’t cause any confusion with the commie next door. Maybe I should go out to his car and give him a written note with the URL.
Mmm
bkmark
bump for later
Ok
Linked in another article on ways to find info on your router.
I just found my router, Sagemcom, has user ID = admin and password is admin. I didn’t know this could be changed but I do now and changed it.
..........
Bkmk.
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