Most Insecure Wi-Fi Router Passwords & Securing by Free Antivirus Software

 Most Insecure Wi-Fi Router Passwords & Securing by Free Antivirus Software

Insecure passwords open the door to hackers, but users and manufacturers are still neglecting the security of their entrance doors to the network and sloppy with passwords.

Passwords are a tiresome subject. Security specialists have now put together the top 10 insecure router passwords. Oldies remain goldies:

Top 10 Most Popular Weak Router Passwords:

1.      admin

2.      root

3.      1234

4.      guest

5.      password

6.      12345

7.      support

8.      great

9.      Admin

10.  passport

 

Routers are the gatekeepers for the network, but these important devices often only use a password to protect against unauthorized access to access the administration interface. This can have fatal consequences: Anyone who knows or easily guesses the password can access the entire network. Too few users probably know that the assigned access code for the configuration and the WLAN network play a key role.

Security experts have evaluated the current telemetry data from the ESET network scanner and obtained worrying results: Several thousand of the more than 100,000 scanned devices use standard passwords. These devices are often in use for many years without modification.

“Users who do not secure administrator access to their routers also in most cases do not protect their WLAN network with secure passwords. Routers should never be operated with factory-set or weak passwords. If possible, the user name should also be individualized, ”explains Michael Schröder, Security Business Strategy Manager DACH at ESET. “Common passwords are the first cybercriminals try and do not offer any protection. WLAN keys and administrator passwords, in particular, should therefore be assigned individually when they are set up. "

The WLAN router is the control center of the home network and is responsible for the Internet supply within your own four walls. Smart home devices from security cameras to heating systems to locking systems are also controlled and managed via routers. According to a survey by the digital association Bitkom, around 30 percent of Germans have already installed a smart home application in their homes. This central role and the rapidly increasing use of such applications make the router a popular target for cybercriminals. Given the often laxity of users with password security, it is not surprising that attacks are on the rise.

The administration interface and the wireless network of a router are each protected by a password. Under no circumstances should the password supplied by the manufacturer with the device be used. A good router password should be at least 8 to 12 characters long. Users should think of a sentence that contains at least one number and is easy to remember. For example: "I prefer to eat pizza with four ingredients and extra cheese!" If you now take the first letter of each word this results in: "AleiPm4Z + eK!". Users already have a secure password.

Followings Are the Tips to Secure a Router:

Keep firmware up-to-date: In many cases, updates bring new functions and close security gaps. If possible, you should enable automatic updates in the router's menu or check for updates regularly.

Deactivate remote access: With remote access, users open ports on their device. While this feature has numerous advantages, it also gives hackers another point of attack. Remote access should therefore remain deactivated.

Activate two-factor authentication (2FA): Modern routers offer the option of activating 2FA. If settings are changed, they must be verified by another source. This confirmation can be done by pressing a specific button on the device or using the telephone.

Change Wi-Fi password: The best encryption method is useless if the associated password is easy to guess. With standard passwords in particular, which are set at the factory, there is a risk that hackers will automatically test known passwords using special programs.

Deactivating the WPS PIN: “Wi-Fi Protected Setup” (WPS) is a standard for setting up an encrypted WLAN network quickly. Users only need a PIN, which can be read on the device. This feature should be disabled as it is easy to crack.

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Change network name: Users should give their WLAN a new name (SSID). The pre-set network name often contains the manufacturer name and device type. This allows attackers to check directly whether there are known vulnerabilities in the router.