Old Routers Pose Serious Security Risk, Researcher Finds

If your Internet service provider gave you a router to use with your DSL connection a few years ago, you might want to upgrade. Security researcher Kyle Lovett found that a number of low-cost models provided by ISPs have serious security flaws that could get your Internet traffic or computer hijacked. Certain configuration files of the routers affected can be tampered with remotely by hackers, opening the device up to host malware or redirect traffic to malicious sites. Over 700,000 vulnerable devices are thought to be in circulation.

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Most of the affected devices aren't in the U.S., but this type of flaw is not uncommon in routers, webcams and Internet-connected security cameras — a number of similar flaws have been identified in such devices over the years. If you have an old router, it's a good idea to check now and then whether it has any newly-discovered bugs. Searching for your model's name and number along with "security" (for example, "D-Link 2750E security") should turn up any articles like this one, if they exist. The router may also have updated software available that closes security holes.

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