Router-hacking cybercriminals are swift and precise, spending countless hours spotting network vulnerabilities and ultimately compromising sensitive data.
Thankfully, this comprehensive router protection guide has got you covered. We’ll show you how to spot the signs of router hacking, help you fix a hacked router, and cover the steps you need to take to strengthen your router security.
10 signs of a hacked router
If you deal withthese computer and network issues daily, there’s a good chance a hacker found away to compromise yourWi-Firouter.
1. Routerlogin failure
Having troublelogging into your router’s admin settings is an immediate sign of having yourrouter hacked. Sincepasswordscan’t change themselves, a hacker likely used somekind ofpassword attackto break into your router’s settings. Cybercriminalsuse this access to create security flaws to further exploit your data.
Router protection tip: Use complex passwords for router admin profiles toprevent your passwords from being hacked.
2. Slowinternet speed
Experiencing slowerinternet speeds is normal. There are a variety of factors that can affect an internetconnection, such as router placement, weather conditions, and outdatedfirmware. However, experiencing slower speeds could also indicate that you’vehad your Wi-Fi hacked.
Router protection tip: Create a unique Service Set Identifier (SSID) — or nameof your Wi-Fi network — to prevent your network from being identified.
3. Browserredirects
Browser redirectsoccur when your browser takes you to a completely different website than youintended to enter. Hackers who can get ahold of your router’s admin account canchange domain andIP addresssettings to have all your traffic directed to wherethey’d like. This is usually a website hostingmalwareor othervirusesthat can further corrupt personal computers andnetworks.
Router protection tip: Regularly schedule router password changes and routerreboots to patch security flaws that cybercriminals can exploit.
4.Suspicious network activity
You should habituallyreview your Wi-Fi activity logs to check for unfamiliar IP addresses that areusing your internet. This could be an indication someone has unauthorizedaccess to your network and could be silently siphoning any information they canfind without triggering any alerts.
Router protection tip: Turn off Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), which allowsdevices to connect to your Wi-Fi network without the use of a password, toavoid unauthorized access to your network.
5.Unfamiliar software downloads
Your device shouldn’thave any software that you don’t recognize or remember downloading. If it does,consider it a potential risk to your cybersecurity and delete it. Hackers oftenusedrive-by downloadsto install malicious software onto computers withoutthe user’s knowledge or consent.
Router protection tip: Download strong antivirus software like Norton 360 Deluxe that can detect threats and help prevent malware from being downloaded onto your device.
Get Norton 360 Deluxe
6. Sessionhijacking
Session hijackinggrants a hacker complete control over a device. Theycan move freely through systems, applications, and files as if they weresitting right in front of the computer.
Router protection tip: Regularly unplugand disconnect your router to give it a hard reset. Bump all users off of it topurge your router.
7.Ransomware messages
Some may find theyhave a hacked router by receivingransomwaremessages in their email. Ransomware is a type ofcyberattackcapable ofencryptingdigital files, systems, and other assets until youpay a demanded ransom. If you don’t, they’ll threaten to destroy, sell, orexpose your stolen items.
Router protection tip: Never respond to or pay ransom demands.
8. Fakeantivirus notifications
Fake antivirusnotifications, also known asscareware, alert you of a virus installed onto your device andpressure you to download an antivirus solution to destroy it. Though sometimesconvincing, these are false advertisem*nts. Hackers lace these downloads withmalicious software capable of compromising your router and internet connection.
Router protection tip: Only use antivirus software from well-known andtrusted companies.
9.Increase in pop-up advertisem*nts
You can treatunsolicited pop-up ads similar to how you’d treat scareware. If you notice anincrease in these unsolicited messages, it’s a telling sign of having yourrouter and internet hacked. These ads also often haveadwarehidden inside to launch once they are installed ontoyour device.
Router protection tip: Never click or download anything from suspiciouspop-ups.
10. Alertsfrom your internet provider
Finally, yourinternet provider might even alert you of increased or unusual activity on yournetwork. And you should take those alerts seriously if you can verify they’refrom your internet provider. To do this, call your internet provider directlyand verify that they contacted you with this alert.
Router protection tip: Change your admin login credentials and reboot yourrouter.
Common causes of a compromised router
Now that you know howto tell if someone hacked your router, you might also be wondering how peopletypically end up with a compromised router in the first place.
There are a fewcommon causes.
Networkvulnerabilities
Networkvulnerabilities are a hacker’s best friend when it comes to breaking into homerouters. Astudysurveying 127 homes found that each household’srouter had at least over 100 vulnerabilities, compromising the Cyber Safety of all connected devices using that internet connection. These security gaps allowcybercriminals to install differenttypes of malwarethat help hackers get ahold of yourpersonal information.
Remotemanagement
Remote managementallows people to connect to their router from remote locations. Though convenientfor people traveling or working remotely, having this level of open accesscould potentially put your network at risk forsession hijackingorbrowser hijacking.
Hackers who get ahold of and use this connection could take complete control over your computer.They’ll then transfer your data to themselves for future use or sell it on thedark webto the highest bidder.
How to fix a hacked router?
If you experiencethese issues and you’re sure there’s a hacker at large, follow these steps tohelp fix your hacked router.
Step 1:Disconnect the router from the internet
Disconnecting yourrouter from the internet can stop the progress ofcyberattacksfrom existing on your network.
- If you have a standalone routerwith cables, simply unplug yourEthernet cord from your router to immediately stop communication with yourmodem.
- If you have a wireless router, you can just switch off yourinternet connection.
Both actions can stopcyberthieves in their tracks.
Step 2:Reset the router
Resetting your routeris often a quick fix for potentially hacked routers. In most cases, you can doa simple power cycle to clear your router’s memory and any malicious programs,then reset your IP address. All you need to do is unplug the router, wait 30seconds, and plug it back in.
If this doesn’t work,resetting your router to its factory settings is the next best option. You cando this by locating the router’s power button — either mounted on the surfaceor nestled in the back — and holding itfor at least 10-20 seconds or until a light flashes indicating a reboot.
Step 3:Change your account’s password
After resetting yourrouter, the next step should be changing the login credentials to your router’sadmin account. You don’t want hackers to be able to freely manipulate yourinternet’s security settings. A great option is to use a password manager to generate a secure, trustworthy password you cansave in a safe location.
Step 4:Update the router’s firmware
A standard routersecurity best practice is to update your router’s settings to automaticallyinstall firmware updates whenever they become available. This ensures yourrouter can protect your network from new cyberthreats as they arise. If yourrouter doesn’t have this feature, set yourself apersonal reminderto update itevery month.
Step 5:Contact the authorities (if necessary)
If you experience ahacked router paired with other crimes, such asidentity theftand bankingfraud, you should contact the authorities immediately. There is a high chance acybercriminal used the information stolen from breaking into your router tocarry out these crimes.
Router hacking protection tips
To help guarantee theCyber Safety of your router and internet connection, consider the followingrouter hacking protection tips.
Set upautomatic firmware updates
Many routers comewith the ability to automatically install firmware updates when they becomeavailable. This can help ease the fear of having your internet and routerhacked by a cybercriminal with too much time on their hands.
Disableremote access
As mentioned, remotemanagement allows you to access your router from anywhere with a workingcomputer. Though convenient for you, hackers can easily misuse this feature to breakinto your private network and information. This is why we suggest disablingremote access altogether.
Scheduleroutine reboots
Similar to setting upautomatic updates, scheduling a routine reboot every month or so is great foryour router’s system. It helps renew its connections and wipe away anypotentially malicious coding present. It also renews the public IP addressassociated with your router, often used by hackers to track your device’snetwork and internet activity.
Usecomplex passwords
Your router’s admincredentials are what keep hackers from being able to do what they want on yournetwork. Keep your account safe by creating a strong, complex password. Youshould stay away from common phrases or guessable number combinations like“qwerty” and “12345”. Use a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols. And mostimportantly, never share your password with anyone.
Create aunique SSID
An SSID is what yousee when you connect a new device to your internet. These come as default formost routers, but you should change them once you set them up in your home.Hackers can use a default SSID to identify service providers. They then look onthedark webfor stolen credentials and usecredential stuffingandpassword sprayingattacks to compromise your router and network.
Takeadvantage of guest networks
Guest networkswork well for those who have frequent visitors orhave a lot ofIoT deviceshanging around the house. They work by creating aseparate internet connection apart from the one your own devices are using.That way, if a guest’s device already has a virus on it, it won’t compromiseyour router and spread throughout your entire network.
Turn offWPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup(WPS) allows you to connect devices to your internet without requiring apassword. Instead, you’d use an eight-digit PIN located on your router. This isnot seen as secure, as most hackers can decode this supposed security PINwithin hours. Turn WPS off and use a secure SSID and password to access yourinternet.
Install aVPN
A router is identifiable because of the public IP address associated with it. These are unique to each unit, so hackers know it's you once they’ve discovered your identity. To help mask these and become anonymous, you can download a VPN. Norton Secure VPN uses encryption to hide your IP address as well as your online activity connected to it.
Get Norton Secure VPN
Avoidsuspicious links and attachments
Phishingemails with malware embedded inside is a populartrick hackers use to compromise routers and personal devices. If you comeacross an email you don’t recognize asking for money, login credentials, or anyother strange request, delete it immediately.
Downloadantivirus software
This leads to our last router hacking protection tip, which is to download trusted antivirus software like Norton 360 Deluxe. Instead of analyzing every email for potentially harmful links or files, your antivirus software can help take care of it for you. Along with sending you alerts when threats arise, it also works to clean your system of the intruder.
Get Norton 360 Deluxe
So, if you’ve learnedonly one thing after reading this, it should be that you don't have to fear theday you potentially wake up to a compromised router. Learning how to tell ifsomeone hacked your router is easier than you might think — it’s about looking for anything outof the norm. Consider this guide as another tool you can use to safeguard youronline privacy.
Hacked Wi-Fi router FAQs
Still have questionsabout how to tell if someone hacked your router? We have answers.
How can Icheck if someone is using my router?
A simple way to seeif you have a compromised router is to unplug it for 30 seconds. Then, look fora green light to display after it restarts.
Can someoneaccess my Wi-Fi remotely?
Yes, hackers canaccess your router and Wi-Fi remotely, especially if you have either of thefollowing:
- Remotemanagement is enabled in your router’s settings.
- Aweak router password that can be easily guessed.
How do Isecure my Wi-Fi router?
You can help protectyour Wi-Fi router by:
Settingup automatic firmware updates
- Disablingremote access
- Schedulingroutine reboots
- Usingcomplex passwords
- Creatinga unique SSID
- Takingadvantage of guest networks
- Turningoff WPS
- Installinga VPN
- Avoidingsuspicious links and attachments
- Downloadingantivirus software
What can ahacker do with your Wi-Fi password?
If a hacker decodesyour Wi-Fi password, they could potentially use your internet to steal privatedata from you and commit other online crimes.
How do Idisable remote access to my router?
Log in to yourrouter’s admin account and look for a “Remote Administration,” “Remote Access,”or “Remote Management” tab. Once you’ve clicked on it, make sure it’s disabled.
Does arouter provide security?
Routers come with astandard amount of security, featuring a default firewall that helps block any malicious requests from theinternet.
