Router warning: 100+ models vulnerable to hackers
Here’s a riddle for you: Is it worse to have a vulnerable computer or a vulnerable router? Believe it or not, an at-risk router is far more dangerous. You always have the option to keep your computer offline if it’s vulnerable, but if your internet gateway is compromised, nearly every device on your network can be threatened by hackers.
If you haven’t been paying attention to router security, we don’t blame you. Computer vulnerabilities tend to make the news far more often. Unfortunately, more routers than ever are at risk as cyberattacks continue to escalate worldwide. Tap or click here to find out more about 79 different Netgear routers with critical security flaws.
And if you think your router is safe, you might want to think again. A team of researchers has just discovered that multiple brands of routers received zero security updates in the last year and many of these devices are affected by well-known security bugs. Here’s why you might want to give your old router a second look.
Abandoned, ignored and vulnerable
According to Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Communication (FKIE), a group of more than 100 popular routers feature outdated and flawed cybersecurity measures.
Per the study, 46 out of the 127 routers sampled received no security updates within the last 12 months. In addition, multiple routers within the study appeared to be affected by hundreds of critical vulnerabilities.
Not only that, but many of the routers that were receiving regular updates saw their vulnerabilities go unfixed each time. If frequent updates ignore security flaws, what good are they, anyway?
Many of the routers’ issues come from security flaws in Linux, the operating system used in 90% of the sampled devices. This is where the update issues mostly lie, as the updates only addressed issues with the routers themselves and not the Linux kernel they ran.
Ultimately, the researchers found that routers from ASUS and Netgear seemed to perform better in terms of security over routers from D-Link, Linksys, TP-Link and Zyxel. In fact, one Linksys router – the Linksys WRT54GL – appeared to be running a Linux kernel released all the way back in 2002, making it chock-full of vulnerabilities.
Is my router at risk? What should I do
To protect your network from a vulnerable router, the main thing you need to check is how old your device is. Devices from 2011 and earlier appeared to have the biggest risk factor, as both the Linux kernel and firmware updates seemed to ignore the critical vulnerabilities (if updates were even released whatsoever).
If you have an older router, it may be high time to replace it. You’ll want to look for a router that features strong encryption like WPA 3, automatic updates and a robust firewall. Tap or click here to see the best ways to hacker-proof your router.
9 tips and tricks to maintain your privacy and stay productive on your Mac
When it comes to staying safe and productive online, you need to take charge. Privacy and productivity come down to a few decisive behaviors that you need to make sure you’re following as a general rule.
Most Apple fans in the early days didn’t think they needed to worry about things like viruses, that it only happened to PCs. But, your Mac isn’t as secure as you think it is. Tap or click to find out how hackers are targeting Apple machines nowadays.
6 ways to keep hackers off of your network and computer
Cybercrimes are on the rise, and the hackers and scammers behind these attacks are chomping at the bit for a shot at your system. New research from Check Point Security shows another 30% rise in cyberattacks over the past few weeks; your computer is more vulnerable now than ever.
5 ways to test your computer’s security
The moment you log onto the internet, your computer starts its game of Russian Roulette. I know that sounds bleak and frightening, but it’s true. Your personal data stored on the hard drive is a magnet for hackers and cybercriminals, and they will stop at nothing to break into your system.
Trick robocallers with a fake phone number
The robocall epidemic has gotten so bad that that even the federal government is stepping in. But now, you won’t have to wait on the feds or your phone company to save you anymore! A new app has been released that puts the power to block unfamiliar calls right inside our phones. With one program, now you can automatically block robocalls, filter spam, and even redirect unknown calls to a fake number. If you hate robocalls, you won’t want to miss this!
4 tips to secure your printer so it can't be hijacked
Since practically every device in our home is connected to the internet, it’s easy to look past security concerns with things like your refrigerator or your printer. But recently, a report has shown that leaving your printer unsecured can leave you vulnerable.