Sharing a Router Makes You Vulnerable To Those You Share With

The increased use of internet owes greatly to the invention of wireless networks, access points or Wi-Fi networks. At home, at work, at school and at many significant public places, Wi-Fi routers help us connect to the world of internet.

But while we draw packets of data from this wireless technology, a fair degree of your router security is compromised in the process.

Why Shared Router Makes You Vulnerable?

A router serves as a central access point (AP) for every device connected to the computer. If access privileges of your wireless router are lax (such as when router password is disabled or when the AP is left open), bad guys can break into every node connected to the local network and compromise your router security.

In other words, an untrustworthy router is a quick hack opportunity for anyone out there. Using a vulnerable router, a hacker can simply jump into your hard drive, access your files and mail folders and steal every other tempting stuff through your OS file sharing feature.

It might be that your operating system (Windows or iOS) do not have file sharing turned on by default, but hackers can find a way with this problem. Although you can prevent file sharing by turning the feature off and by setting firewalls on, the best idea is to get an additional router function as a firewall between your computer and others on the local network.

Most router-supported devices are attacked because their users fail to set strong administration passwords. In the worst of scenarios, many routers appear naked to hackers because of ‘no password’ or ‘default passwords’ that are easy to crack. So, sharing a router makes you vulnerable and requires adequate protection.

Vulnerable router security can compromise your devices!

Once a hacker makes way to your machine via the router, he may alter different IPs associated with each networked computer. Any activity performed from a stolen router IP appears like that of your own.

So even if the hacker did not do any damage to your files, he can use one of the stolen IPs for any of the bad stuff. At the least, he may suck the speed of your internet by distributing your network to a whole set of unknown computers or devices.

Unless it is physically secured, vulnerable router security can lead to the hijacking of your devices. Data thieves can also break into your machines when they gain administrative access to your router through the installation of malicious software onto your router. In other words, if your router isn’t protected properly, it’s as vulnerable as anything.

How to improve your router security?

Based on the configuration settings of your router, a data sniffer can use multiple ways to get to your machine and hence, your private stuff. Therefore, you need to secure your router from multiple points each of which combines to save you from horrible hack attacks. We prevent these router security measures in the following pointers:

• Enable your OS firewalls. Ideally get an independent firewall-enabled router plugged into your machine.
• Always use the HTTPS surfing protocol. This requires adjusting your browser settings. If your browser does not have an option, install an HTTP to HTTPS plug-in.
• Double-seal your email folders and applications. Most router hacks take place via unencrypted email or through opening of infected email attachments.
• Install a VPN software. It encrypts all of your data so that no one can intercept data traffic to and from the router.
• Always make sure that you have a fully working anti-virus in place.
• Position your router in a way that its signals spread only to the authorized devices. Leakage of Wi-Fi signals is an open threat to your online security.

Conclusion

Compromised router security can turn into a security nightmare. Shared routers expose your computer to hack attacks when someone camouflages as a member of the local area network you’re part of.

While it is difficult to establish the trustworthiness of shared routers, you can protect yourself by learning internet security best practices such as data encryption, independent router installation, VPN router usage and physical security of the router.