The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released a critical alert concerning a rise in extortion scams targeting outdated and insecure routers across the United States and globally. Cybercriminals are exploiting known vulnerabilities in older router models to infiltrate networks, extract sensitive data, and demand ransom payments from both individuals and organizations.
In a recent public bulletin, the FBI named specific router models that have been consistently identified as common points of attack. These devices, many of which are no longer receiving firmware updates or official support, represent a weak link in network infrastructure. Attackers are leveraging these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access, install malware, and exfiltrate confidential data such as personal documents, passwords, and business credentials.
Routers Identified as High-Risk:
- Cisco M10
- Cisco Linksys E1500
- Cisco Linksys E1550
- Cisco Linksys WRT610N
- Cisco Linksys E1000
- Cradlepoint E100
- Cradlepoint E300
- Linksys E1200
- Linksys E2500
- Linksys E3200
Nature of the Threat
These attacks typically begin with threat actors scanning public IP ranges to find routers with outdated firmware or misconfigured settings. Once discovered, the attackers gain access to the device’s admin panel, often due to weak or default passwords, and either install malware or exfiltrate sensitive information. Victims are later contacted and threatened with the exposure of their private data unless a ransom is paid.
FBI Recommendations
To mitigate this risk, the FBI has issued the following recommendations:
- Replace outdated hardware: If your router is no longer supported by the manufacturer, consider upgrading to a newer, more secure model.
- Update firmware: Always keep your router's firmware up to date with the latest patches and security updates.
- Disable remote management: Turn off remote administration unless it is absolutely necessary.
- Use strong credentials: Change default usernames and passwords to secure, unique combinations.
- Monitor for suspicious activity: Use firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor your network for anomalies.
- Enable encryption: Use WPA3 (or at least WPA2) for your Wi-Fi security to prevent unauthorized access.
Conclusion
This warning underscores the importance of not just securing computers and mobile devices, but also the routers and networking equipment that connect them to the internet. These pieces of hardware are often neglected, yet play a critical role in ensuring cybersecurity. Users are encouraged to take immediate steps to audit their network devices and follow best practices to avoid becoming the next victim of these evolving cyber threats.