# Security flaws in home routers.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-flaws-in-home-routers/681947>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [February 22, 2014, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-flaws-in-home-routers/681947 "2014-02-22T12:59:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-flaws-in-home-routers/681947/1 "2014-02-22T12:59:46Z")

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Well this sucks sweaty monkey balls. Crap. It would have to be Linksys and Asus. Linksys is one of the more popular home routers.

Now I have to see if mine is on the list and what can be done about it.

> **[Security failings in home routers exposed](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26287517)**
>
> Serious security failings in home routers are getting more attention from both attackers and researchers.

> [@](#):
>
> In recent weeks, attacks have been mounted on Linksys and Asus routers via loopholes that thieves could exploit.
> 
> In Poland, reports suggest one gang has successfully adjusted router settings in a bid to steal cash.
> 
> A separate study found many of the routers sold online have bugs that attackers could easily exploit.
> 
> This week the Internet Storm Center (ISC) warned about a continuing attempt to exploit a vulnerability in 23 separate models of Linksys routers.
> 
> The virus, a self-replicating program or worm called The Moon, takes control of the router and then uses it to scan for other vulnerable systems.

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**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-flaws-in-home-routers/681947/2 "2014-02-22T14:53:04Z")

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There have been quite a few stories about this over at Slashdot. One recent [example](http://it.slashdot.org/story/14/02/19/1435202/routers-pose-biggest-security-threat-to-home-networks).

The number and durability of these holes is amazing. Most were deliberately put in as a feature!

To all Dopers:

Get the latest firmware.  
Disable Universal Plug and Play on the router.  
Change default passwords.  
Keep checking for updates.

If you really want to get serious, then see if your router supports an [open source](https://openwrt.org/) firmware.

Since I rely on my router as my first line of defense against malware, having such shocking backdoors around is scary.

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-flaws-in-home-routers/681947/3 "2014-02-22T23:40:46Z")

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Some great advice. Thanks.

I plan to upgrade my routers firmware this weekend.

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**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-flaws-in-home-routers/681947/4 "2014-02-22T23:58:45Z")

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That’s some serious hacking if they’ve figured out how to get cash out of peoples’ computers.