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Has Your Router Been Hacked?

Writer's picture: RW NetworksRW Networks

This week’s Twitterverse and Facebook Feeds have been buzzing about the latest Russian Hack. I suspect you, like many of us, hear “Russian Hack,” think nasty politics and tune out to the rest of the story. However, at the risk of sounding “geeky,” we strongly advise you to heed the warnings and factory reset your home wireless router. Why you ask?


In the last few days, at least 500,000 routers worldwide have been infected by sophisticated malware, which has the capability of stealing your personal information, redirecting web traffic and infecting other devices. According to recent reports, Netgear, Linksys, TP-Link and MciroTik routers are particularly vulnerable.

Please take note, a simple reboot, will not protect you. Instead, to rid yourself of the malicious malware, you will need to reset your router to the factory default settings. How you ask?

  • Plan ahead – record the names and passwords of your wireless networks

  • Reference the router manual. What manual? If you are like the majority of people, you likely have no idea where your manual is. Rest assured; you can visit the manufacturer's website to view specific factory reset and configuration instructions

  • Look for a small pinhole button on the bottom or back of your router. Simply press it with a pin or the end of a paperclip and follow the setup directions

  • Create your wireless networks, using the names you meticulously recorded previously

  • Change the default administrative password that came with the factory rest

  • Disable remote administrative access

  • Install firmware updates

Caution: – should you have any customizations on your router, unique SSID’s, passwords or port forwarding for special applications - a Factory RESET will clear them. Be careful to backup your settings and then either re-apply them or reconfigure your router.

Clear as mud? Don’t fret, we are happy to assist you with the process.

Computer Service & Repair -   Since 2002

RW Networks

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250-871-1387   I   604-538-5424

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