Security Alert: Reboot your router!

[robcat2075]

This most likely includes your broadband modem at home which is often a router itself.

 

F.B.I.’s Urgent Request: Reboot Your Router to Stop Russia-Linked Malware

 

 

An analysis by Cisco’s threat intelligence division found that hundreds of thousands of routers, from a range of manufacturers, were infected by the malware linked to the hacking group Fancy Bear.

 

 

Hoping to thwart a sophisticated malware system linked to Russia that has infected hundreds of thousands of internet routers, the F.B.I. has made an urgent request to anybody with one of the devices: Turn it off, and then turn it back on.

The malware is capable of blocking web traffic, collecting information that passes through home and office routers, and disabling the devices entirely, the bureau announced on Friday.

A global network of hundreds of thousands of routers is already under the control of the Sofacy Group, the Justice Department said last week. That group, which is also known as A.P.T. 28 and Fancy Bear and believed to be directed by Russia’s military intelligence agency, hacked the Democratic National Committee ahead of the 2016 presidential election, according to American and European intelligence agencies.

The F.B.I. has several recommendations for any owner of a small office or home office router. The simplest thing to do is reboot the device, which will temporarily disrupt the malware if it is present. Users are also advised to upgrade the device’s firmware and to select a new secure password. If any remote-management settings are in place, the F.B.I. suggests disabling them....

 

 

I'll note that whenever the tech support for my internet provider said i needed to reboot my modem, they said it needed to be unplugged for several minutes to really clear it.

[Jason Simonds]

Log in to your router also, to see if there is a firmware update. just rebooting the router only does not fix the problem. The reboot is really a temp fix only an update will fix it.

[robcat2075]

My login page only has settings. No options for updates

[pixelplucker]

I think rebooting the router may change the ip to the provider. Maybe that does the fix? I prefer avoiding clicking on anything that has naughty bits. Usually the safer route.

[Fuchur]

I think rebooting the router may change the ip to the provider. Maybe that does the fix? I prefer avoiding clicking on anything that has naughty bits. Usually the safer route.

In general if u do not have a static ip (at least in Germany u have to ask for that) the router will automatically reconnect at night and that will change ur ip anyway. (that is called dynamic ip).

 

I'd say rebooting will cut off the line, restart the router and get rid of any software in the RAM which may habe been installed by a hacker. If it runs for a year, it was worth it for the hacker. If you restart ur rooter the hacker needs to come back and reinstall it.

[robcat2075]

They keep saying "update your firmware" but I haven't found if that is even possible on mine.

 

NY Times...

Your Wi-Fi Security Is Probably Weak. Here’s How to Fix That.