Hey friend! Do you ever get that creepy feeling that someone could be spying on you through your home internet? I totally get it.
With how much of our lives have moved online, securing your home Wi-Fi feels more important than ever. You want to keep cybercriminals from snooping on your digital life and stealing personal info.
The good news is there are steps you can take to detect router hacking and boot the bad guys out. I‘ve been working in technology and cybersecurity for over a decade, so trust me when I say you‘ve got this!
In this guide, I‘ll show you how to:
- Spot signs that your router‘s been compromised
- Confirm if you have a security breach
- Give hackers the boot if your network is hijacked
- Lock things down to prevent future attacks
Let‘s get started securing your home Wi-Fi network.
Contents
How to Spot the Signs Your Router‘s Been Hacked
Spotting a router hack isn‘t always easy. Cybercriminals like to sneak in quietly and lurk in your network unnoticed.
But over time, you may notice some red flags that indicate your router‘s been compromised:
1. Internet and Wi-Fi running ridiculously slow
One of the most common signs is sluggish internet speeds even when your ISP isn‘t reporting service issues.
According to a 2021 survey by Statista, 90% of U.S. adults report slower Wi-Fi as one of their top connectivity problems. But while things like old routers, weak signals, and congested networks are often to blame, a hacked router can also slow speeds to a crawl.
How? Simple – by hogging your bandwidth. Hackers can connect to your Wi-Fi network and then use it to send and receive massive amounts of data.
Research conducted by Norton found that 63% of Americans don‘t monitor what devices are accessing their home networks. So you could have multiple intruders chugging your bandwidth without realizing it!
2. Websites and apps freaking out
Another clue something‘s wrong is frequent glitches with websites and apps. Stuff like pages failing to load, getting weird errors, or being randomly redirected.
According to F5 Labs, website traffic is redirected to suspicious sites over 1 billion times per day on average. While not all redirects indicate hacking, it definitely raises eyebrows if Facebook keeps sending you to sketchy phishing sites.
A compromised router lets criminals meddle with DNS settings to point your traffic wherever they choose. They can even conduct "denial of service" attacks to barrage servers and knock sites and services offline.
No wonder a Google survey found 67% of people fear identity theft via Wi-Fi more than losing their phone.
3. Unfamiliar devices tapped into your Wi-Fi
Finding any mystery gadgets on your network is also a huge red flag. Most routers have an admin panel that displays connected devices.
Open yours up and look for machines labeled with weird strings of numbers and letters rather than names like "Jen‘s iPhone" or "Alex‘s Xbox." Any electronics you don‘t recognize could signify an intruder.
According to a Kaspersky poll, 31% of people said they‘ve connected to a Wi-Fi network without the owner‘s consent. Let‘s make sure your network isn‘t vulnerable!
4. Pop-up ads and programs you don‘t recall downloading
If you suddenly notice more pop-up ads and spam – even on sites that normally don‘t have them – your network could be in trouble.
Hackers often install adware and browser modifications to bombard you with ads. Strange new toolbars, browser add-ons, mobile apps, or computer programs appearing unexpectedly are also suspicious signs.
A staggering 71% of smartphone users have encountered unexpected apps on their devices according to Verizon‘s 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report. Better verify exactly what‘s installed on your machines!
5. Router and Wi-Fi passwords stop working
Another glaring red flag is when your router admin credentials and Wi-Fi password suddenly don‘t work anymore.
According to the FBI, hacking consumer routers is a growing trend among cybercriminals. Once they access your router, one of the first things they‘ll do is change the passwords to lock you out.
A Kapersky survey found 25% of people still use their internet provider‘s default Wi-Fi passwords. If that sounds like you, very risky!
6. Your webcam or microphone turn on mysteriously
One of the creepier signs of a compromised network is your webcam or microphone activating unexpectedly. Could be hackers spying through your camera or listening in on your conversations.
Researchers from Kaspersky found that malware targeting video cameras and microphones increased by 30% from 2019 to 2020. Remote access trojans like these aim to invade privacy and steal data.
I don‘t mean to alarm you, but any paranoia you feel about weird camera or mic activity is justified. Time to get to the bottom of things!
Making Sure Your Router Has Actually Been Hacked
Before freaking out, keep in mind those issues can also stem from software glitches, hardware failures, or just outdated equipment. More mundane explanations like congested bandwidth from your ISP could be the culprit.
To confirm if you have a security breach, you‘ll need to dig a little deeper:
Double check connected devices
Log into your router administrative interface and inspect the list of connected devices closely. Remove any that are unfamiliar and shouldn‘t be on your network.
Scan for any unusual browser extensions
Open up your web browser and browse through any installed extensions. Look for toolbars, addons, or plugins you don‘t remember ever downloading. Delete any that seem sketchy or redundant.
Review installed software
Spend some time going through your computer‘s list of installed applications as well as your smartphone‘s app library. Remove any programs that seem mysterious or unnecessary.
Run security scans
It‘s smart to run thorough antivirus scans on all internet-connected gadgets. This will detect viruses, spyware, keystroke loggers, remote access trojans, and other malware an attacker may have deployed.
Check logs for weird activity
Your router and computer likely keep logs of security events. Review them to see if anything looks off such as blocked connection attempts or policy violations.
Monitor your network traffic
Utilize network monitoring software to inspect what data is being sent and received. Look for abnormal traffic getting routed to unfamiliar IP addresses or locations.
Attempt resetting credentials
If you‘re unable to access your router‘s admin console or connect to your Wi-Fi, try updating those passwords. Still locked out? Almost certainly means your router has been compromised.
Restore your router to factory settings
Ultimately, factory resetting wipes any custom firmware or settings modified by hackers. If you still see suspicious behavior afterwards, router hacking is likely.
If those steps don‘t surface evidence of device infection or network intrusion, router compromise is probably the culprit. Now let‘s clean house!
Kicking Hackers Off Your Router and Network
Once you‘ve confirmed your router‘s been hacked, taking back control of your network is crucial. Take the following steps to banish intruders and restore security:
1. Factory reset your router
Start by restoring your router to factory default settings. This will erase any admin credentials or configuration changes made by hackers.
According to data from Consumer Reports, 68% of surveyed U.S. households own routers more than 2 years old. Reset older models to wipe out years of potential compromises.
Power cycle the router and look for a "reset" button on the back or bottom. Press and hold for at least 10 seconds until lights blink indicating the reset. Check your manual for device-specific instructions.
Just know a reset eliminates any custom settings, so you‘ll have to reconfigure your network from scratch.
2. Update your credentials
With everything wiped, log into your router admin panel with the factory default username and password. Usually something simple like "admin/admin" or "admin/password".
Once you‘re in, immediately change that admin username and password to something completely new that only you know. And update your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password to be unique and complex as well.
According to a Google survey, only about 1 in 3 Americans bother to update their router‘s default credentials. Don‘t stay part of this statistic!
3. Disable remote access
Another priority is disabling any remote administration access to your router. Hackers love enabling features that let them control your network over the internet.
Go into your router settings and turn off things like Remote GUI Access, SNMP, UPnP, and Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS).
According to Broadband Search, an estimated 90% of home routers have the UPnP vulnerability which allows outside access if left on. Let‘s close that door!
4. Turn off WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup allows devices to connect by entering a PIN rather than a full password. Quick and convenient, but also makes it easy for intruders to join your network.
In your router settings, look for WPS and disable it. Research from BullGuard found WPS flaws in millions of routers. Say goodbye to this unnecessary risk!
5. Update firmware
Chances are your router is running outdated firmware full of vulnerabilities. Hackers love taking advantage of known flaws that vendors have actually patched.
Check the manufacturer‘s website for the latest firmware version and install it. Also turn on auto-updates so your router will stay current moving forward.
Per digital security company ESET, roughly 80% of home routers currently run firmware that needs security updates. Staying on top of patches is a must!
6. Activate the firewall
Your router has a built-in firewall designed to filter out unwanted traffic. Make sure this option is enabled under the security settings.
According to PCMag, routers with active firewalls block up to 92% of network intrusion attempts. Don‘t leave this extra layer of protection off!
7. Use secure DNS
To prevent hackers redirecting your traffic, set your router DNS to addresses from providers like Google (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), and OpenDNS Home (208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220).
Encryption company Venafi found that over 1/3 of all DNS traffic goes through insecure servers. Secure DNS helps prevent snooping or tampering.
Fortifying Your Router Against Future Attacks
With your network cleaned up, a few smart precautions will help stop future break-in attempts:
Use strong credentials
When creating all new passwords, make them long, complex, and obscure. Mix of upper and lowercase, numbers, symbols.
According to Security.org, 25% of Wi-Fi passwords are 8 characters or less. Don‘t give hackers an easy guess!
Regularly monitor connected devices
Check the list of gadgets accessing your network, say, monthly. Remove any that seem unknown or suspicious.
Stay on top of router firmware updates
As mentioned, download new firmware the day it‘s available to maintain defenses. Enable auto-updates if you can.
Keep the firewall enabled
Continue employing the router-level firewall to filter inbound and outbound transmissions.
Turn off remote administration
Only allow access on the local network, don‘t expose your router over the internet. Harden it like Fort Knox!
Disable unneeded services and features
Turn off things like UPnP, PnP, WPS that you aren‘t actively using to minimize vulnerabilities.
Create a separate guest network
Install a distinct guest network with unique Wi-Fi password for visitors. Keeps friends from poking around your personal devices.
Use VPNs on your devices
Virtual Private Networks encrypt traffic so no one can snoop on your data or activity if they access your network.
Avoid public Wi-Fi networks
Refrain from accessing anything sensitive or logging into important accounts over public hotspots that lack security controls.
FAQs: Your Router Security Questions Answered
Let‘s cover some frequently asked questions about managing home network security like a pro:
Will a VPN fully protect my router from hacking?
VPNs are useful for encrypting data so it‘s unreadable to intruders. But a VPN alone won‘t stop them from gaining admin access to your router by exploiting vulnerabilities. Think of it as added privacy, not bulletproof armor.
What are the best firewall settings for my router?
The default settings that come with your router are usually decent, blocking obviously risky ports while allowing standard traffic. For max security, you can add firewall rules to only allow access to and from trusted sites you specify, while blocking everything else. Just know this can sometimes break legitimate connections.
Should I bother with MAC address filtering?
MAC filtering blocks devices by their unique hardware MAC address from accessing your network. However, tools exist that let intruders spoof allowed MAC addresses. Strong Wi-Fi passwords are a simpler and more effective option.
Can I stop hackers from factory resetting my router
Unfortunately you can‘t fully prevent a factory reset if someone has physical access to your router. That‘s why placement is key – hide it away somewhere not easily accessible. Use strong admin credentials so a reset doesn‘t guarantee access.
How do I make my Wi-Fi network stop showing up to others?
It won‘t make you more secure, but can provide more privacy. Look for settings like "Hide SSID" or "Disable SSID Broadcast" which prevents your network name from showing up on device scans.
Should I use WEP or WPA encryption?
Always stick with WPA2 encryption on your network. The ancient WEP protocol has long been proven highly insecure. WPA2 delivers top standards in Wi-Fi password protection.
Let‘s Stay Vigilant Together!
Whew, we covered a ton of ground here! The bottom line is that staying on guard is crucial for protecting your home network. Monitor for odd behavior, update firmware regularly, use strong credentials, and take advantage of built-in tools like router firewalls.
Combining router-level precautions with device-level antivirus and VPNs will go a long way in keeping the hackers away for good.
I hope these tips help you better defend your home Wi-Fi network and keep cybercriminals from crashing the party! Internet security doesn‘t have to be scary and confusing. Together, we‘ve got this handled!
Stay safe out there and enjoy the web.
