Researchers from Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 have found that home Wi-Fi routers and IoT devices are being targeted by new cybersecurity attacks by making use of vulnerabilities in such devices.
The attackers carried out these attacks by targeting weak passwords and out-of-date software on the routers. These attacks can affect people in two ways – by slowing down or disrupting internet connection, and also by making the victim an unwilling participant in attacks against other websites.
Once these devices are under someone else’s control, they become a ‘botnet’ – and can essentially do anything the attackers want them to do, including sending huge amounts of data to try and bring websites down.
Three of such malware campaigns have been discovered since May 2018, and this has affected various home routers and IoT devices sold globally including the Huawei HG532 as well as D-Link devices.
To prevent such attacks, Palo Alto has advised internet users to restart home routers once a week by unplugging it. Regularly changing the password on the router, as well as updating the software should also minimize the risk of such attacks.
First published in NetworksAsia