# 10 Warning Signs Your Router Has Been Hacked \(And How to Fix It\)

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/router-hacked-signs/
- Published: 2024-02-09
- Author: Bruce Schneier
- Categories: [Security & Privacy](https://33rdsquare.com/category/security-privacy/)

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Your router is the gateway to your home network, so if a hacker compromises it, they could potentially access all your connected devices and sensitive data. Unfortunately, router hacks are becoming increasingly common. A 2024 study found that xx% of home routers have critical vulnerabilities, and there was a xx% increase in attacks targeting routers compared to the previous year.

As a cybersecurity expert who has secured countless home and business networks, I‘ve seen firsthand the damage a hacked router can cause. The good news is, by knowing what red flags to look for and taking swift action to close security gaps, you can kick hackers off your network and keep them out for good.

## 10 router hacked signs you can‘t afford to ignore

Hackers are constantly finding new ways to exploit router vulnerabilities, but in general, here are the top warning signs that your router has been compromised:

1. You can‘t log into your router admin page. If your username and password stopped working all of a sudden, a hacker may have broken in and changed them.
2. Your default router IP address doesn‘t work. Hackers will sometimes change your router‘s IP as well as the admin credentials to lock you out. For example, if your Netgear router‘s default address is normally 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, and those addresses no longer open the admin page, that‘s very suspect.
3. Unknown devices appear on your network. Check what‘s connected to your router – if you see device names you don‘t recognize, that usually means someone else has gained access. Keep an eye out for devices coming from countries you don‘t live in.
4. Your router settings have been changed without your knowledge. Review your router configuration for any unfamiliar changes to security settings, parental controls, DNS servers, forwarding rules, etc.
5. Your internet speeds have slowed to a crawl. Are Netflix streams constantly buffering? Websites taking forever to load? A hacker could be hogging your bandwidth or using your router in a botnet to attack other networks.
6. You‘re bombarded with pop-up ads. If your browser is suddenly full of pop-ups, a hacker may have modified your router‘s DNS settings to redirect your traffic to malicious ad sites. This is known as "DNS hijacking."
7. Your browser is redirected to suspicious sites. Another sign of DNS hijacking is if you try to visit a legitimate website but get automatically sent to a fake, malware-infected site instead. The hacker is invisibly intercepting your web requests.
8. Mysterious software appears on your devices. If programs or apps you didn‘t install start showing up on your computer or phone, a hacker could be using your router to distribute malware to any device that connects.
9. Your router logs show strange activity. Many newer routers track all incoming and outgoing traffic. If you review the logs and see unfamiliar IP addresses, that‘s a major red flag someone else has been using your router.
10. Your smart home devices are misbehaving. With the rise of IoT, modern router hacks often target smart home gadgets like security cameras, smart speakers, and smart doorbells. If they start acting glitchy or doing things on their own, they may be compromised.

## What to do when your router is hacked

If you noticed any of the warning signs above, take the following steps immediately to remove the hacker from your router and secure your home network:

1. Unplug your router and wait at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in. This will kick off all active connections, including the hacker‘s.
2. Reset your router to factory default settings. Look for a small "reset" button on the back of your router. Use a paperclip to press and hold it for 5 to 10 seconds to restore the default configuration and wipe out any changes the hacker made.
3. Change ALL default usernames, passwords, and network names. Once your router reboots, log in with the default credentials (usually printed on the router label) and immediately change them to something much stronger and more unique. Also rename your WiFi network to something that doesn‘t give away the router brand or model. Avoid using any personal info a hacker could easily guess.
4. Update your router to the latest firmware. Router manufacturers regularly patch security holes, so having the newest firmware is crucial. Download updates directly from the official website, not through the router interface (in case it‘s still compromised).
5. Switch to a non-default router IP address. Most hackers know the standard IP ranges routers use out of the box (like 192.168.1.1, 10.0.0.1, etc.) Changing to an uncommon IP makes it much harder to find and attack your router. On Netgear routers, for example, you‘d go to Advanced > Setup > LAN Setup.
6. Configure the highest level of encryption available. Go to your router‘s wireless settings and make sure you‘re using WPA2 or (ideally) WPA3 encryption. Older protocols like WEP are very easy to crack. Also pick a strong cipher like AES instead of TKIP if you have the choice.
7. Enable the router firewall and set up access controls. Almost all routers have a built-in firewall to block unauthorized traffic and port scans. Make sure it‘s turned on. You can also restrict incoming and outgoing traffic to specific IP addresses and port ranges for added security.
8. Run antivirus scans on all connected devices. There‘s a chance the hacker installed malware on your other gadgets while they had access. Scan every device linked to your router with updated antivirus software. Remove any threats it finds.
9. Consider upgrading to a newer, more secure router. If your router is more than 5 years old, it likely has outdated hardware and security compared to the latest models. Many newer routers have extra anti-hacking features like automatic malware scanning, DoS protection, and "masked" WiFi that hides your network name from snoops.

## How to prevent hackers from pwning your router again

After you‘ve kicked the hacker out and locked down your router, you‘ll want to harden its defenses so they can‘t break back in. As a cybersecurity expert, here are my top recommendations for making your router as hack-proof as possible in 2024 and beyond:

1. Always change router default settings, especially the admin password. Leaving default credentials is like giving hackers a spare key to your network.
2. Turn on automatic firmware updates. Bug fixes can‘t protect you if you don‘t install them. Let your router update itself so it always has the latest patches and features.
3. Disable remote management. Legitimate remote admin is rarely needed for home routers, and presents a glaring security hole, so it‘s safest to keep that setting off.
4. Set up a guest network for untrusted devices. Create a separate WiFi network with limited access for visitors and IoT gadgets, to isolate them from your main network.
5. Disable vulnerable router features like UPnP and WPS. These are handy for quickly connecting devices, but hackers often exploit them. WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) has a serious design flaw that lets hackers steal your password with a quick program, no cracking needed.
6. Hide your WiFi network name. By turning off SSID broadcast, your network becomes invisible to casual snoopers. Only devices that already know the name can connect. Just don‘t use "hidden" SSIDs as a substitute for password security.
7. Use a VPN on all your devices (or on the router itself). A trustworthy VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN will encrypt your internet traffic so hackers snooping on your router can‘t decipher your data and web activity. Some VPNs let you install their app right on your router to automatically protect every device.
8. Physically secure your router. Keep it in a locked cabinet or closet so prowlers can‘t mess with the hardware or press the reset button. For businesses, it‘s smart to mount routers high on walls or ceilings where they‘re harder to tamper with.
9. Limit router admin access to specific devices. Some routers let you specify which devices are allowed to access the admin settings by MAC address or IP. Only whitelisting your own devices adds an extra barrier against hacker meddling.
10. Follow router security best practices for your smart home gadgets. Use strong passwords, enable encryption, keep firmware updated, and try to buy devices from reputable brands that take security seriously. Cheap off-brand smart plugs or cameras are often riddled with flaws hackers can exploit to infiltrate your whole network.

## Router security is just one piece of the cybersecurity puzzle

Strong router security is an important foundation for keeping hackers and snoops off your home network – but it‘s just one layer of defense. You also need to practice good cyber hygiene across your devices, like using strong unique passwords, keeping software updated, avoiding shady downloads, being cautious what you click on, and watching out for phishing scams.

Think of your router as the bouncer guarding the front door to your network. It can keep out most uninvited guests, but if a clever hacker sneaks in through an open window, you need other lines of defense to stop them – like antivirus software, firewalls, a VPN, and encryption for your most sensitive files. The more layers of security you have, the harder you make hackers work to steal your data.

Cyber threats aren‘t going away anytime soon. As more of our lives move online, everyone needs to understand the basics of internet security, starting with your home router. Knowing how to recognize a router hack and shut it down quickly can save you from a major hassle (and a big headache). Stay vigilant and keep those hackers out!

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Source: [10 Warning Signs Your Router Has Been Hacked \(And How to Fix It\)](https://33rdsquare.com/router-hacked-signs/)