Can a Modem Be Hacked and Cause the Modem to Be Unreachable

7 Signs Your Router Was Hacked and How to Fix It

Come across if you have a hacked router and larn how to safeguard your data and devices against futurity attacks.

Oct one, 2022 Share
How-To, Internet Speed Guides

You'll ever have internet connection bug, whether it's due to the weather, problems on your provider'due south side, or bug related to the equipment in your home or office. But what if yous suspect foul play? What if all your devices load the same website no thing what you type into the address bar? What if you're sitting at your estimator and silently lookout a "ghost" seize your mouse and access your bank account?

Those scenarios are expert signs that someone has hacked your router. But don't worry: we'll clue you in on how to recognize a hacked router, how to ready it, and how to make sure information technology never happens over again.

Pro tip:

Are you lot troubleshooting speed bug? You may not have a hacked router but a slow net plan. Enter your zero code below to find a faster plan in your area.

Signs that someone hacked your router

At that place are many signs of a possible router hack that can throw up a red flag. Some are general and could employ to other router-related bug. Others are a sure sign that someone other than yous has taken control of your router.

You can't log in to your router

You should worry well-nigh a possible hack if you can't log in to your router or wireless gateway. Typically, routers ship with default login credentials y'all tin can use to access the settings. You're supposed to change these credentials during the initial setup process (only not everyone does).

However, if you can't log in to your router using the credentials you created, there'due south a possibility that information technology's hacked. Someone may take figured out the credentials, logged in, and changed the password to lock you out. Afterward that, a hacker has gratis reign to change additional settings and brand your life miserable.

Issues with your router's firmware can cause login problems, too, and if your network is behaving ordinarily simply you only can't log in, it'southward probably non compromised. In any case, you'll need to reset the device to fix it.

Immediate activeness: Reset your router .

All internet browsers lead to the same site

Browser hijacking is a sure sign that you lot accept a hacked router or wireless gateway.

In this case, a hacker logged in to your router and inverse its Domain Proper name System (DNS) settings—the system that matches numeric IP addresses with their web domains.

By doing so, the hacker can redirect all internet traffic through your router to a malicious DNS server. This server volition lock you to specific websites that tin can steal your information and install malicious software on every internet-connected device y'all own.

Firsthand action: Log in to your router and modify the DNS settings and password. If you tin't log in, reset your router . You should too browse every device with antivirus software to brand sure there'due south naught on your devices that'southward hijacking your browser.

In that location'south strange software on more than one device

If you see new, unfamiliar software on more than one device—especially if yous didn't download it intentionally—there's a expert risk someone hacked your router and remotely installed malware onto your devices.

Strange, uninvited software includes browser toolbars, fake antivirus clients, and other programs that will generate random popups on your screen or inside a browser.

If yous accept multiple computers, chances are this uninvited software is on all of them. Malware tin replicate on a single device and spread across wired and wireless connections, similar to how a virus spreads from person to person.

Immediate action: Log in to your router and change the countersign. If yous can't log in, reset your router . Later, brand certain your router has the latest firmware. Be sure to uninstall the strange software from your device(s) and run an antivirus client.

You receive a ransomware bulletin

Ransomware messages are a good sign that you accept a hacked router. These attackers can seize command of the router and demand money in return for its release. The bulletin may appear in the form of an email, instant message, text, or a popup generated by uninvited software installed on your device.

Immediate action: Reset your router and don't pay a dime. Be sure that you create a unique countersign that hackers can't guess.

Pro tip:

Phishing is another e-mail-based way to hack into your router. The message could appear to originate from your internet provider stating that a hacker compromised your router and that you should click the supplied link to resolve the outcome. The resulting webpage could then log in to the router using the default credentials if you never inverse them. Never click links in emails from unknown sources.

Yous meet unrecognized devices on your network

You lot tin run across a listing of devices accessing your home or function network using the router'south web interface or a uniform mobile app. For case, the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi interface provides a network map—just click on a device to encounter its assigned address.

When you wait at the map, all local devices take a derivative of the router's individual IP accost. If your router'southward address is 192.168.1.1, for example, then all device addresses should starting time with 192.168.1.

Yet, a device remotely accessing your router won't have an address that matches the commencement three numbers of your router's private address.

Firsthand action: Kick the unknown device(s) off your network and alter the password. Disable remote access if you never program to use it.

Yous tin can't control your device

If you lot're sitting in front end of your estimator watching an uninvited, unseen guest move the mouse and access your banking information, you definitely have a hacked router.

In this scenario, the hacker has remote admission to your device and can open any file or online account using the passwords yous store in the operating organization or browser.

Firsthand activity: Unplug your devices and disconnect your router from your modem. After that, reset your router .

Your internet speeds are slower than snails

Deadening cable internet speeds are typical at tiptop times, when multiple devices stream content simultaneously, or when your cyberspace provider has network issues. Just if y'all're experiencing extremely slow speeds forth with other symptoms on this list, chances are you have a hacked router.

Your speeds could be deadening because the hacker is using all your bandwidth for botnet activity, distributing malware to other networks, remote connections to your devices, cryptojacking, and full general internet piggybacking.

Immediate action: Showtime, utilise our tips on how to speed upwardly your internet to encounter if the problem is just a connection issue. If you think that someone hacked your router, try to change the password. If you tin't, reset your router .

Pro tip:

Are you lot experiencing ho-hum internet speeds? Run our speed test multiple times during the day and compare the results with the speeds advertised with your internet plan.

Run the Speed Test

How to fix a hacked router or gateway

The steps to fixing a hacked router are quick and piece of cake. At that place's no need to throw it out the window and purchase a new unit.

Step i: Disconnect the router or wireless gateway

If y'all have a standalone router, disconnect the Ethernet cord to avoid communicating with the modem. If you have a wireless gateway, disconnect the net connection instead.

In both cases, disconnect all wired and wireless devices.

Step 2: Power cycle or reset your router or wireless gateway

In some router hacking cases, a simple power bicycle works equally a quick ready. This method clears the memory of any malicious code and refreshes your public IP address. Just pull the plug, wait 30 seconds, and and so plug the string back into the outlet.

In other cases, you may need to reset your router to its factory settings if an infection persists or you can't log in. A power bike cannot remove severe infections like VPNFilter.

To mill reset your router, notice its reset button—it's either surface-mounted or recessed on the back. Printing and hold the button—you lot'll need a paperclip for a recessed push button—for 10 seconds until your router's LEDs indicate a reboot.

Step 3: Change the password

One time the router reboots or resets, log in using the default credentials and change the password. You can use one of the all-time password managers to create one and retrieve it from your business relationship when needed.

Y'all could as well create a passphrase—a long string of unrelated words—filled with symbols and numbers. Brand it something you lot can call up, but that isn't easily guessed.

Step 4: Update the firmware

Gear up your router to update its firmware automatically if it'southward not already. And if your router doesn't requite you the option to update automatically, prepare yourself a reminder to check every calendar month or and so.

For example, y'all'll find the firmware update department on a Linksys router by clicking on Connectivity listed nether Router Settings. You should see a checked box next to Automatic displayed in the Router Firmware Update section. If not, click on the box to enable automatic updates.

Alternatively, you can click on the Check for Updates button or download the latest firmware from the manufacturer and install information technology by clicking the Choose File button.

Routers from other manufacturers provide similar firmware update tools.

The three-stage VPNFilter malware is a perfect instance of how malicious software can infect a router (and network-attached storage). In fact, it persists afterwards a reboot, making it highly dangerous to your sensitive information and devices. It exploits security vulnerabilities in the router's firmware to gather sensitive data and transport information technology back to hackers using the Tor network. Moreover, it can add together malicious content to traffic that passes through an infected router. ^two

How to prevent a router hack

Turn on automatic updates

Your router is a miniature computer with a processor, arrangement memory, and storage that houses the operating organization (firmware). Unfortunately, firmware is never bulletproof, as there are bugs in the code and security holes that can grant hackers piece of cake access. Manufacturers distribute firmware updates regularly to squash these bugs and patch vulnerabilities.

If automatic updates are toggled off and you never manually install new firmware, hackers will have easy access to your router by utilizing the unpatched flaws in the firmware. Log in to your router and brand certain that automatic updates are toggled on.

Use a secure countersign

All routers transport with default credentials yous employ to access the interface and adjust the settings. These credentials are typically printed in the paper manual supplied with your router and in a PDF version stored online. If you never changed these credentials during the initial setup, hackers can log in if they take your router's public IP address.

Never use an easily guessed password with your router or Wi-Fi network. These include names of pets, children, other family members, and anything that links to your interests. Believe it or not, the 2 most used passwords are nonetheless 123456 and 123456789. ¹

A hacker can use costless online tools to acquit out a brute-force attack—a trial-and-fault method that continuously enters every possible password until one works. Hackers can too utilise a library attack, which uses words pulled from a dictionary. These attacks can rapidly crack an easy eight-character alphanumeric password.

Schedule routine reboots

The first step to hacker prevention is to schedule a monthly reboot. It'south good for the router, equally a reboot tin can clear the organization memory and refresh all connections.

Additionally, your internet provider assigns a public IP address to your router. It usually should refresh every 14 days (unless you pay for a permanent "static" address). However, a reboot gives you an extra refresh if hackers obtained ane of your previous addresses.

Disable remote access

About routers provide the means to log in to their backend interface remotely. It allows users to make changes when they're off the local network. However, hackers can also use remote access if they tin can guess the password.

Many routers provide a toggle to switch remote access on and off. Others models require your cloud account's login credentials to utilize the remote access feature. Secure that account using a stiff passphrase.

Disable WPS

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) has good intentions; information technology allows users to connect their devices to a wireless network without using a password. Just press the WPS push button on the router, or enter an 8-digit Pivot provided by the router.

Unfortunately, hackers tin employ a beast-force attack to figure out the PIN in 4 to 10 hours—they don't need access to the concrete button. You tin can easily disable WPS through the router's backend and instead use our guide on how to share your Wi-Fi network'south password to whatever device.

If you accept a Linksys router, for case, you lot can disable WPS by doing the following:

Step 1: Select Wi-Fi Settings displayed under Router Settings.

Step two: Click on the Wi-Fi Protected Setup tab.

Step 3: Click the toggle and then that it reads OFF .

Stride four: Click on the Employ button. You must click this push button then that WPS and its related Pivot are completely disabled—clicking on the toggle without applying the change isn't plenty.

Modify the default SSID

The Service Set up Identifier (SSID) is the technical term describing your wireless network'south proper noun. Most routers broadcast the manufacturer's name past default, similar Linksys_330324GHz or NETGEAR_Wi-Fi. Anyone within range of your router can see this name, know who built your router, and search the internet for the default login credentials.

"Cheesedoodle" or "Wotulooknat" are a few examples of SSIDs that are unique and non-offending to neighbors. SSIDs can be 32 characters long.

Never click or tap on strange links

Malware you lot unintentionally downloaded to your computer or mobile device could lead the way to a hacked router. You may have obtained the malware by clicking on a link in a phishing electronic mail or chat bulletin, connecting an infected wink drive, accessing a malicious website, or viewing infected ads.

Even mobile devices can grant hackers access to your router. For case, the Switcher trojan lurked in Android apps and contacted a control-and-control server once the user continued to Wi-Fi. It then began a creature-force attack on the router to hack into its interface and modify the default DNS settings to one malicious server address and one Google server address, so the user didn't grow suspicious. ³

Related topics

Sources

1. NordPass, " Top 200 Most Mutual Passwords of the Year 2020 ," Accessed August 11, 2021.
2. Norton, " VPNFilter Malware Now Targeting Even More Router Brands ," Accessed Baronial xi, 2021.
3. Kaspersky Lab, "Switcher Hacks Wi-Fi Routers, Switches DNS," December 28, 2016. Accessed August 11, 2021.

Writer - Kevin Parrish

Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of feel working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and before long branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom'due south Hardware, Tom'due south Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Say-so, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on cyberspace security.

Editor - Cara Haynes

Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things net for HighSpeedInternet.com for 5 years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she'due south non editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet state and that a good internet connexion significantly extends your life span.

Related Posts

shermanreplear.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/how-to-fix-a-hacked-router

Share this post