A new piece of malware, called VPNFilter, has targeted millions of home and small business routers. The FBI is warning users to power cycle or restart their devices immediately.
Over 500,000 devices have been affected, once a router is infected, the hackers can use the device as a jumping-off point to launch further attacks. They can collect personal information, block network traffic — or just turn your router into a brick.
A simple restart will NOT ensure that your router doesn’t become infected.
To best protect your device, you download the latest firmware. It is actually fairly easy. Select your brand of router:
Netgear:
routerlogin.net to access your router’s page.
Enter your username and password.
Default Username: admin
Default Password: password
Go to the Administration tab under Advanced and click the update option.
Linksys:
Go to linksys.com -> Support -> Enter your wireless router model number (for example, WRT54GS)
Click on ‘Get Downloads’ -> Select Version number for your wireless router -Click on the download link under firmware section
From the web interface, 192.168.1.1, go to Administration -> Firmware Upgrade -> Choose the latest file that you downloaded above -> Click on Upgrade.
TP-Link:
TP-Link is model dependent. Follow the link for instructions.
https://www.tp-link.com/ae/faq-46.html
Once you’ve installed the appropriate upgrade for your system, you should be better protected from any potential malware. In fact, you should regularly download software updates for all of your devices, as well as the operating devices for your computer or phone.
If you need assistance please call Cap Rock 806.271.3131