Signs Your Router is Hacked
Routers are common targets for cyberattacks. If your company is currently navigating a security breach, we are here to help. In this article, we'll outline signs that your router may be compromised and what to do. If not all of these items do not make sense to you, that is ok, we can help you investigate and search your network for signs of compromise.
These are the Signs Your Router is Hacked.
1. Unexpected Network Connectivity Issues:
Noticeable degradation in performance, such as slow internet, frequent disconnections, or latency spikes, could indicate unauthorized access or manipulation of your router.
2. Unrecognized Connected Devices:
Review the list of connected devices on your network. If you identify unfamiliar devices or notice unexplained activities, it could be a sign of a compromised router.
3. Unauthorized Router Configurations:
Regularly check your router's configuration settings. If you observe unexpected alterations, such as changes to DNS settings, firewall rules, or routing rules it's a strong indication that your router is compromised.
4. Unusual Network Traffic Patterns:
Anomalies in network traffic, especially during off hours hours is a sign of unauthorized access.
5. Unexpected Redirects or DNS Spoofing:
If you or your employees are being redirected to suspicious websites or if you notice unauthorized changes to DNS configurations, this is a big indicator router compromise, or possibly the browser or even the computer.
6. Unable to Access Router Settings:
A compromised router may restrict access to its settings. It's also common for the hackers to change the router’s admin password. If you encounter difficulties accessing the router interface or find that your login credentials no longer work, investigate immediately.
7. Unexplained Password Changes:
Unauthorized changes to your Wi-Fi network password or router login credentials are clear indicators of a security breach.
8. Unknown or Unwanted Software Installed:
Check for the presence of unknown or unwanted software on devices connected to your router. Malicious software could be a result of a compromised router facilitating unauthorized downloads.
9. Sudden Increase in Data Usage:
A sudden spike in data usage, especially during non-business hours, may indicate malicious activity. Regularly monitor data usage patterns and investigate any unusual increases.
10. Strange Router Reboots:
Frequent and unexpected router reboots, especially if initiated by an external source, can be a sign of unauthorized access or attempts to gain control.
The Breach Almost Always Spreads Beyond the Hacked Router.
The chances are that if your router is compromised, so is the rest of your network. Hackers will often use your router as the initial entry point into the network. Then they will pivot towards other devices to either steal sensitive information, steal passwords, install malware, compromise the email, etc. It really depends on their goals which usually involve some financial motivations.
Hackers seldomly invest this much time into compromising your network for them to just give up easily, they will usually engineer some sort of persistence mechanisms to persist in your network after a password change or other attempts to revoke their access.
Emergency cybersecurity services are available.
We are here to help. We’ve investigated countless network breaches and know the places to look, and how to eradicate the compromise. Call our cybersecurity hotline.
