Last week, Cisco Talos revealed a dangerous malware known as VPNFilter.

VPNFilter is a malware bug originally from Russia. It may be possible VPNFilter is connected to the Russian government. The majority of reported VPNFilter attacks are coming from Ukraine. Furthermore, this bug is not limited to Eastern Europe. VPNFilter has infected at least 500,000 devices in at least 54 countries.

This is a particularly dangerous bug. VPNFilter can delete itself and render infected routers inoperable. Additionally, VPNFilter may be used to incorporate infected routers into a botnet to be used in a Distributed-Denial-of-Service attack.

Routers Targeted by VPNFilter (Updated 6/7/2018)

Is your router one of the affected devices? Here is the list of routers targeted by VPNFilter:

Asus Devices

  • RT-AC66U
  • RT-N10
  • RT-N10E
  • RT-N10U
  • RT-N56U
  • RT-N66U

Netgear Devices

  • R6400
  • R7000
  • R8000
  • WNR1000
  • WNR2000
  • WNR4000
  • WNDR3700
  • WNDR4000
  • WNDR4300
  • WNDR4300-TN
  • UTM50
  • DG834
  • DGN1000
  • DGN2200
  • DGN3500
  • FVS318N
  • MBRN3000

Linksys Devices

  • E1200
  • E2500
  • E3000
  • E3200
  • E4200
  • RV082
  • WRVS4400N

D-Link Devices

  • DES-120-08P
  • DIR-300
  • DIR-300A
  • DSR-250N
  • DSR-500N
  • DSR-1000
  • DSR-1000N

Protect Your Home Network from VPNFilter

If you own any of the routers on the above list, it is recommended you take several steps in order to ensure the safety of your home network.

  1. Update Your Router Firmware: Go to your router’s admin page and go to the Advanced or Management section to check for firmware updates. Furthermore, Open Source DD-WRT firmware can be used to replace your router’s default buggy firmware and any other issues that may be contained within it. If the device you own is Open Source compatible, FlashRouters can upgrade the firmware for you. Find out if we support your router with our Support Plans.
  2. Perform a Factory Reset: Holding your router’s reset button for five to ten seconds will reboot the router. This will return the router to default settings and potentially clear the device of VPNFilter.
  3. Change Your Router Password: This is a simple step, but a necessary one if your device has been hacked. Changing your password will prevent access to your router from any hacker who has the previous login key.
  4. Turn off Remote Administration: Check your router’s firmware to make sure you have Remote Administration turned off. If this is on, hackers will be able to access your device more readily.

Protecting Your Network with a FlashRouter

Using an Open-Source FlashRouter equipped with a Virtual Private Network is recommended for protecting your network from any outside intrusion.

A FlashRouter, like the ones below, can be used to secure your entire home network. Moreover, it is not only the Open Source firmware that will protect your device from factory flaws.

NordLynx WiFi 6 Router – Privacy Hero

Privacy Hero 2 - Nordlynx Wireguard Supported VPN Router
$179.99
$249.99
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  • Perfect for Medium Homes
  • Perfect for 20-30 Devices

AX3000 WiFi 6 VPN FlashRouter

AX3000 WiFi 6 VPN FlashRouter
$129.99
$149.99
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  • Perfect for Medium Homes
  • Perfect for 20-30 Devices

Asus RT-BE88U WiFi 7 Merlin FlashRouter

Asus WiFi 7 BE88U VPN Router
$469.99
$599.99
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  • Upgraded with Custom Merlin Firmware.
  • Next Gen WiFI 7 Update of Asus favorite model.

Protect Your Network Further with VPN

Using a Virtual Private Network will allow you to encrypt your entire network by tunneling all of your VPNFilte traffic through a VPN server. Many devices, such as Smart TVs and game consoles, can only go through a VPN if they are on a VPN router. Furthermore, you will appear as if you are in the location of the VPN server according to outside traffic.

Taking advantage of a VPN router is a great first step towards building a hacker-free network.

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  • 1,500+ VPN servers in 75+ locations
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Optimize Streaming with the FR Privacy App

The FR Privacy App is an easy, free, and user-friendly way to access and configure your wireless network. Our app runs directly from any Internet browser on desktop or mobile devices.

This allows for easy tweaking and VPN configuration, including but not limited to:

      • Easy device management.
      • Seamless VPN server switching.
      • Optimized UI on any browser or mobile phone.
      • Kill switch and VPN bypass by device.

Want better support for your entire network? The FlashRouters Privacy App is here to help.

Any questions or concerns? Reach out to our support team for more information.