You may have heard in the news recently about cyberattacks against home users, major corporations, even the government. As a general user, are you vulnerable to these types of attacks? We discuss how malicious hackers could access your network through a backdoor and how we can help you prevent this.
How Does a Backdoor Work?
A backdoor is a way of bypassing the normal security of a router and using it to gain remote access to a device or an entire network without the users’ knowledge. How can this happen?
How Can Backdoors Be Exploited?
A hacker can do many things to attempt to access your network. One way is to find your IP address remotely and then scan it for any unsecured ports. By doing this, a bad actor can gain entry into your system without your knowledge. Using a FlashRouter with a VPN will hide your IP address from other users on the internet.
Another method is called war-driving. Someone can simply drive around a neighborhood scanning for unsecured networks. Once they find an open router/network they’ll come inside and make themselves at home.
Understanding Threats to Your Network
What’s really so bad if someone gains access to your network? Don’t think they’ll simply surf the web. Once someone gains unauthorized access to your network, they can install malware on your devices, allowing them to spy on you, collect your data, or even steal your money. Additionally, it is also possible that Zero-Day Vulnerabilities could be exploited on your normal retail router.
Your network and all of its devices could also be turned into a botnet — where your devices would be used without your knowledge to carry out attacks against other people! Your devices could be used to send spam, participate in DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attacks, and more. If you are worried about this, check out our FlashRouters below to help protect you from attacks like these!
What is the Best Router to Protect Your Network?
Worried about the safety and security of your router from backdoor attacks? These are the best routers to safeguard your network:
AX3000 WiFi 6 VPN FlashRouter
$149.99
- Perfect for Medium Homes
- Perfect for 20-30 Devices
Asus RT-AX88U PRO Merlin FlashRouter
$459.99
- Perfect for Max Wi-Fi Coverage
- Recommended for 15+ Devices
NordLynx WiFi 6 Router – Privacy Hero
$249.99
- Perfect for Medium Homes
- Perfect for 20-30 Devices
How Else Can You Protect Yourself Against Backdoor Exploits?
It is always important to use a secure password on your FlashRouter that is not easily guessed. Using a unique and hard-to-guess password on every website you use is highly recommended, and it’s easy with a password manager like NordPass.
How Serious Can Backdoor Exploits Be?
A more complex attack on the United States Government was discovered in December 2020. Attackers used an easily guessed password to access a security company named SolarWinds. As a result, foreign hackers infiltrated the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Justice. The intrusion started in September 2019 and went undetected for over a year.
Backdoors in the News
Just this past November, CyberNews Sr. Information Security Researchers discovered backdoors in a router sold at Walmart as an affordable option. These Chinese-made Jetstream routers allowed attackers to control any devices connected to the entire network. Our routers are made to target backdoors and eliminate them so that your network cannot be infiltrated.
Tom’s Hardware discussed a similar vulnerability in retail routers:
“[2018] has brought five undocumented backdoors in Cisco’s routers so far, and it isn’t over yet. In March, a hardcoded account with the username “cisco” was revealed. The backdoor would have allowed attackers to access over 8.5 million Cisco routers and switches remotely.”
Make sure this doesn’t happen to you! Protect your home network with one of our FlashRouters.
Have any questions about network backdoors, secure routers, or network safety in general? Please feel free to reach out!
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