Security isn’t free applies to our online presence, our person, and property. Sandra and I were talking about what is important to share with our new friends that we meet here, security is at the top of the list.
News in May 2018 coming from the FBI: Hackers found a flaw allowing them to take control of your router and read your network traffic. The FBI has taken down the identified sites being used to take advantage of this exploit, but new sites could spring up in the future.
Definitions: Detailed and Simple
Sandra’s eyes glazed over as she read the original draft of this post. After a little ‘remember when’ conversation, it’s clear that some definitions are useful.
There are two links for most items. One link goes to Wikipedia and gives a detailed definition. The second link goes to Boomer Tech Guy’s Jargon page with a short simple definition.
- Network [BTG Jargon – Network] – A collection of connected devices that can exchange data.
- Router [BTG Jargon – Router] – The router allows two or more devices (computers, printers, and others) to talk together and/or share a connection to the internet. Devices connect using RJ45/Ethernet cables. (RJ45 cables link is only for the very curious. Detailed spec information that made my eyes glaze over.)
- Wireless Router [BTG Jargon – Wireless Router]- Router with Wireless Access Point (also called WAP or AP) that allows devices to connect by cables or through WiFi. Wireless Routers allow the addition of smartphones, tablets, enabled household appliances, thermostats and more onto the network.
What Should You Do?
The initial FBI recommendations are:
⁃ Step One: Reboot your router!
⁃ Step Two: Factory Reset your router!
⁃ Step Three: Update your router firmware!
Step One is easy. To reboot your router, you can just unplug it, count to thirty and plug it back in. You should be back up within 90 seconds.
Step Two is a little more challenging. Doing a Factory Reset may overwrite settings that allow your router to connect to your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
Each ISP/router combination may have different results following a Factory Reset. This link https://www.router-reset.com/30-30-30-reset-factory-defaults-wireless-router/ provides more detail on specific routers, including router dashboard/control panel IP addresses, default passwords by manufacturer and more instructions to consider.
Those two steps fix two-thirds of the problem. But the last third is to update your firmware. What does that mean? Some of us think firmware refers to our belly not covering our belt when we stand up.
What is Firmware?
Firmware is the software instruction set stored in nonvolatile memory (NVM) so that when a device powers up it knows what to do. You can think of it as similar to the brain’s instructions to the body telling the heart to beat and the diaphragm muscles to cycle so we breathe.
Updating Firmware – What You Need to Know
This post will not cover how you update your firmware because every manufacturer’s process is specific to the brand and model of your router. Instead, we will cover the generic process and some critical considerations to keep in mind during a firmware update.
What You Need For A Firmware Update
The following things are needed for a firmware update:
- Router Manufacturer and Router Model # – The manufacturer and model # will be on a label affixed to the router or wireless router.
- Current firmware version – To find the installed firmware version, you must connect to the administrator dashboard for your router via a web browser at the default address for your router. The most common address is 192.168.1.1. Your router may be different. Check here for your default router IP: http://www.router-reset.com/default-ip-address-list {Note: Some routers require a wired connection and will not allow wireless updating for security reasons.}
- New firmware update file – Downloaded from the manufacturer’s website for your router model #.
- Reliable power connection – If the power fails during a firmware update there are two typical outcomes.
- 1. You recover with the old firmware running, YEAH!
- 2. Your device is ‘bricked,’ meaning it is now worthless except for a photo shoot or paperweight.
If You Choose to Update the Firmware…
If you undertake a firmware update, please search for the specifics for your router on the manufacturer’s website. An update isn’t a difficult process, but it must be followed exactly to reduce the risk of a bad outcome.
I print the manufacturer’s directions, highlight the key steps, draw a checkbox for each step in the left margin, and check off step by step as I work through the instructions. No missed steps and if I’m interrupted, I know the last step I completed when I return to the process.
What Now?
This post gives you the information needed to reset and update your router. If you feel lost or intimidated, welcome to the party. After years of doing this, I still have that feeling. If you need help, contact your technical go-to person.
Boomer Tech Guy is in the business of providing personal technical support and training to the North Puget Sound area for those that would prefer help rather than searching through pages of how-to posts and YouTube videos to figure out what they need to do. Contact me for a personal consultation.
