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Russian Hackers Target Routers in 50 Countries Worldwide

In a day and time when everyone is being super careful not to click on suspicious links, there’s a new threat lurking. Just about every home and office has a router. It’s an inconspicuous piece of equipment that most of us rarely think about. And now, a new alert issued by the FBI says that Russian hackers have targeted routers in 50 countries around the world.

Just last week, the FBI issued a warning stating that a malware botnet known as VPNFilter was responsible for taking over millions of routers worldwide. The affected routers are thought to be primarily consumer-grade routers purchased at Best Buy and other retail and online electronic stores. The authorities also believe that routers provided by internet service providers such as Frontier Communications, Spectrum, and Charter have been affected. Commercial grade routers found in many businesses are also at risk.

Why the router?

Routers are rarely updated. Unlike the operating system on a smartphone or computer, most router manufacturers do not send out regular updates for their products. Last January, a complaint was filed against router manufacturer, D-Link. In the complaint, the FTC said that the manufacturer was leaving their users at risk by not installing adequate security measure. Their failure to do so had left many consumers open to attacks from hackers.

Experts are now saying that there’s no incentive for router manufacturers to release regular updates to their products that could stave off attacks. Up to now, these manufacturers have not been held liable and when there’s no liability, manufacturers will often take cost-saving shortcuts.

How hackers are getting in

Using malware to target the VPNFilter, cybercriminals are able to collect user data. Once the hacker has control of the router, they can use it to eaves drop on consumers. This weakness also allows hackers a doorway to all home computers, TVs, smartphones, or anything connected via the router.

The FBI recently discovered one website that hackers had set up to use in their attack. This website was designed to give instructions to the routers that had been taken over. Though shutting this site down did cut off one avenue of attack, the FBI warned that millions of routers were still infected. This leaves millions of consumers around the world vulnerable and most users will not even realize they’ve been hacked.

Who is responsible for the hacks?

The Justice Department said the hacking group referred to itself as “Sofacy” and that they answered to the Russian government. The hacking group also goes by the names Fancy Bear and APT28 and they have been involved in some very high-profile targets over the last few years. This group was blamed for the hacks carried out during the 2016 presidential campaign that targeted the Democratic National Convention.

Cisco Systems Inc. performed its own investigation and found that the targeted routers include Netgear, Belkin’s Linksys, QNAP, Mikro Tik, and TP-Link. There may be others involved as well and most were purchased by consumers at local electronic stores and online. Cisco shared the results of their investigation with the Ukrainian government and the U.S. The FBI said that they believe some of the affected routers were also provided by internet service companies.

What routers have been infected?

Authorities have put together a list of the known affected routers, but recommend that everyone take the precaution of rebooting the router and changing the password as soon as possible. The known affected routers include:

• Linksys (Models E1200, E2500 & WRVS4400N)
• Netgear (Models DGN2200, R6400, R7000, R8000, WNR1000 & WNR2000)
• Mikrotik Cloud Core Routers (versions 1016, 1036 & 1072)
• TP-Link R600VPN
• QNAP NAS devices running QTS software
• QNAP (Models TS251 & TS439 Pro)

New types of warfare between Russia and the Ukraine

Russia has long been involved in attacks against the Ukraine and Ukrainian companies due to ongoing hostilities between the two countries. In the past, these attacks have cost millions of dollars and exposed the personal, confidential information of both businesses and individuals. At least one attack was responsible for an electricity blackout in the Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government recently stated that the Russian government was planning a cyber-attack against some privately held companies, along with Ukrainian state bodies. They believe these attacks were meant to disrupt the Champions League soccer finals which were being held in Kyiv.

What to do next

Experts are recommending that everyone using a router shut it down and reboot it. They also recommend disabling remote manager settings. If at all possible, upgrade the router to the latest firmware and change your password.

Managed IT providers are recommending many commercial grade firewalls and routers for business owners who have quite a bit more to lose than the average consumer. They have stated that commercial grade firewalls and routers offer powerful firewall technologies and some offer wireless access point that offers stronger protection for the home or office.

Consumer-grade routers used by the average individual are most at risk. Businesses who have remote employees working from home often forget that these workers present a weak area that hackers can take advantage of. Most individuals have never upgraded their router’s firmware or changed the original password that came with the router. IT experts believe that hackers will eventually exploit all weaknesses like this.

An ongoing risk

The FBI warned, “The size and scope of the infrastructure by VPNFilter malware is significant.”

Their experts said that hackers could render the routers affected completely inoperable if they wanted to, but that wasn’t their primary goal. Instead, they were planning to steal data off the computers, phones, and other connected devices by taking over the routers that controlled internet access. The FBI stated that the malware would be very hard to detect even by professionals because of encryption and other tactics used by the hacking group.

In addition to rebooting routers and changing passwords experts recommend contacting your internet service provider for possible firmware updates or other guidance.

It’s one thing for a business to have installed Wi-Fi networks, but it’s another thing to ensure that the equipment is and will continue to work properly. This means the network should be able to continue supporting the growing demands of a business. It should be able to upgrade automatically whenever necessary to provide the latest and most convenient improvements available. This may sound simple and manageable by the IT staff, but it can be challenging.

Having in-house IT staff means that you have to get in line with other departments and wait your turn before you get help. They already have enough work each day so your Help Desk request may get pushed to the back. This is just one reason why it can be beneficial to have a trusted partner manage your Networks and computers.

The Right Fit

So many managed IT providers say that they’ll be there when you need them. How can you find the right fit for your business? It can be challenging in this day and time, simply because of all the many great choices. But, it can be helpful to sit down with your supervisors and talk to them about the ideal IT provider – someone who will take the time to listen to you, show concern about getting it right for you, someone who really will become a trusted partner.

A good IT partner will stay on top of daily maintenance for your hardware and software. They’ll keep the Wi-Fi equipment running smoothly. They will make recommendations about new products your company could benefit from. If you could find an IT service provider who stands by their promises, imagine how much easier your life would be. Your company would stop demanding so much of your time. You might actually get a vacation this year.

How to find your IT Managed Services Provider

Talk to other businesses owners in your area. Ask them to recommend someone. Check all names, credentials, and reputations online. You can find out quickly whether someone has a good strong reputation in the business world. Visit the company and meet some of their staff members. Do they seem capable, knowledgeable and skilled? If you walk in and find a young receptionist on the phone with her boyfriend and two of the techs in the back flirting, then get out of there quickly! That’s not the right place for you.

You’re serious about your business. You want it to succeed for yourself and especially for your family. So don’t settle for lame vendors that never show up and don’t do good work when they do meander by your place. Take as much time as you need finding a professional team of IT techs who know their jobs exceptionally well and love to come to work each day. These guys will know what’s going on when you get the Blue Screen of Death. They can fix it remotely in just a few minutes and you’re back to work.

Communicate your needs

When you find the right IT managed support team, sit them down at your office and make it clear that you want the very best they can give. You’re in this to win it and if they want to go along for the ride, they’re welcome. But they will have to pull their weight.

When you set down some guidelines right at the beginning of any relationship, you’ll find that the relationship is much more rewarding for both people. Of course, there will be contracts to sign that will state and include everything you talk about. A good contract is clear about what your responsibilities are and what the IT provider will provide. The cost should be included and can be a monthly charge or a fixed price you pay several times a year. Most vendors will work with you because they want your business.

Below, are just a few of the more important IT and networking services/products that your business needs:

• Cloud storage and backup
• Remote monitoring/management of servers, desktops, mobile devices
• Business continuity plan in case of disaster
• Cybersecurity for all computers and devices
• Regular preventative maintenance
• Scalability
• 24/7 tech support

There are many other services you could opt for and you should discuss this with your IT professional.

The best managed wireless is all about handling many different services well. Every phone and computer should be secure even those of remote workers. Communications should be up and running 99 percent of the time. If you run a hospital or medical office, then you understand the importance of a good communication system. Most providers will suggest VoIP. It’s cloud-based and dependable, plus it can fit nicely in any budget.

With managed services, an organization should not have to worry about maintaining their Wi-Fi networks. Work with someone you have confidence in; someone who will exceed your expectations. You need a good, trusted IT service provider who is willing to get to know your business and work right alongside you to see it grow. Don’t settle for less than the best!