This week we saw the release of new secret documents, part of an ongoing series of leaks released by the website WikiLeaks, which reveal the CIA's chronic targeting and hacking of home, corporate, and public wireless routers in its effort to conduct illegal surveillance.
More specifically, a portion of the documents reveal the use of a tool codenamed “Cherry Blossom,” which allows secret service hackers to put unsuspecting targets under surveillance and monitor their online activity, redirect browsers, gain access to personal information, such as phone numbers and email addresses, and much more.
As becomes clear, routers are not among the most secure devices. Below we will see some simple tips and ways to prevent hackers from breaching your routers.
Change the admin username, password, and SSID of your router
A fairly obvious but necessary step to protect your router is to change the default username and password provided by the manufacturer or your provider. This will reduce the chances of someone hacking your device, gaining access to your network. You should not forget that the default login credentials are effectively publicly available.
In the same way, the SSID reveals the type of your router, making it easier for hackers to gain access to it. For example, if you have a Linksys or Netgear device, the network name will contain the brand of your router or even the model number, making things easier for attackers.
In short, if the default admin username, password and SSID have not been changed, only a little expertise is required for someone within the router's signal range to compromise your device.
Avoid routers provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
Invest in a good and powerful router, as the routers provided by ISPs are not the safest option. These devices come with access credentials and other settings that users often cannot change, and they do not receive security updates as frequently compared to other router models.
Use VPN
VPN is an effective way to maintain your anonymity online, creating a virtual private network tunnel (VPN Tunnel) between your computer and the internet, with the help of an independent server that belongs to the VPN service provider you choose.
In simple terms, you will appear to be connected from a different location or country, based on where the VPN provider's server is located (and you will be able to access websites that have been blocked by the respective ISPs).
Enable the firewall
Activating your router's firewall is one of the most fundamental methods of maintaining your security on the internet. You may already have a good firewall on your computer, but you should also enable the router's firewall for extra security.
Enable WPA2
The WPA2 or Wi-Fi Protected Access is undoubtedly another protection that you should definitely implement. Why?
It is simple, this protocol provides encryption.
The method of enabling the WPA2 protocol depends on your router's manufacturer, so if you cannot locate the relevant setting, it is recommended to visit your router's support website for more information.
Update your router
It may sound quite obvious, but regularly updating your router works wonders in the long term. Manufacturers release firmware updates to address security vulnerabilities at regular intervals, so if you make sure your router stays updated, you will be safer from hackers.
It should be noted that some routers receive and automatically install firmware updates, however many routers do not do this, so you should go to the settings and check if any new update is available.
Here are the devices that will be able to use your network
Every computer and portable device with networking capabilities has its own unique code, known as a MAC address (Media Access Control), with which you can specify which devices will use your wireless network. Through your router's settings, you can register the MAC addresses of devices you want to have access to your network, blocking access to unknown devices.
