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I’m a law-abiding citizen, I pay my taxes and don’t rob banks. So why is the FBI trying to tell me what to do? Why do they care about me? Oddly enough, it turns out they do care about me...and you...when it comes to our home computer networks. Don’t worry, you didn’t do anything wrong. In this case, they’re actually trying to do something helpful for you. The FBI wants you to reboot your router to reduce your risk of your home network being infected by a new virus.

What is a Router?

So what is a router, and do you even have one? To connect your home network to the internet, you likely have a few pieces of equipment dedicated to the task. The first might be a DSL or Cable Modem. That’s what connects you to your internet service provider. Usually, there is a second box, the router, that spreads that Internet connection to all of the other devices on your home network: your computers, phones, smart TVs, doorbells, video cameras...and all of the other connected devices in your home. To connect to all of these wireless devices, the router has built-in WiFi.

So the short answer is that if you have internet in your home or office, you have a router of some kind.

There are probably a dozen top companies that make them, and most are very similar, built with popular chipsets explicitly designed for routers.

Why Does The FBI Want You To Reboot Your Router?

So the bad guys, let’s just call them hackers, have figured out a way to create a virus that spreads from router to router, infecting them all along the way. This new Router Virus is called VPNFilter and is very advanced and complicated. It can be used to direct your computer traffic to infected websites or to sniff and steal the data traveling over your internet connection. That potentially means the data from each website you log into could be “sniffed” and stolen by VPNFilter. If you think your account passwords for your bank, dating website or other sites might be easily captured and used by others.

A couple of important notes for you. First, don’t confuse this VPNFilter virus with the term “VPN.” A VPN is a "virtual private network," and it allows you to communicate more securely with online services such as websites, email servers, and even your own office network. There are public and private VPNs, and they are generally a good thing. We install them frequently for our clients. The VPNFilter virus is NOT a VPN, nor is it related to a VPN.

Is My Router Vulnerable to VPNFilter?

Another critical point is that not all routers are affected. In fact, here’s the list of potentially vulnerable routers:

• Linksys E1200
• Linksys E2500
• Linksys WRVS4400N
• Mikrotik RouterOS for Cloud Core Routers: Versions 1016, 1036, and 1072
• Netgear DGN2200
• Netgear R6400
• Netgear R7000
• Netgear R8000
• Netgear WNR1000
• Netgear WNR2000
• QNAP TS251
• QNAP TS439 Pro
• Other QNAP NAS devices running QTS software
• TP-Link R600VPN

What Should You Do?

So the FBI wants you to reboot your router. Should you? If you do, will you be safe?

Not necessarily. According to research from Cisco Talos Intelligence, just rebooting might not remove the virus because, in some cases, it can remain in the system. So, more steps are required to ensure your device is safe. Consider following the steps:

1. If your router is infected, reset the device to factory defaults. Doing this will wipe its memory and all of its settings.
2. Update the firmware to the latest version. What is Firmware? It’s the software that makes the router run, and the router manufacturer usually publishes free updates for its routers on its website. Just search for your router’s model number plus “firmware download,” and you’ll be sure to find it. Note: Be sure ONLY to download the software from the manufacturer’s website.
3. Once the router is reset and/or updated, change the default password and username if possible.
4. If you have “remote management” capability enabled from outside the network, disable it immediately.
5. Reinstall and Reconfigure your router onto your network.
6. Make sure you periodically check the manufacturer’s website for firmware updates.

But Do This First

Router viruses aren’t widespread, and there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of one. The reality is that new digital threats are invented every day. And that is why, in this case, the FBI wants you to reboot your router. By using military-grade technology, artificial intelligence, and other advanced techniques, Digital Uppercut is prepared to protect you and your business every day from known and unknown threats. If you’re not yet working with us, or worse yet, if you are not yet working with an IT security expert, contact us or call us at 213-398-8771 and let’s start protecting your business today.