The list of affected routers was published and updated on April 11.
The NSA is warning US internet users to reboot their routers now, as attackers target home networks to steal personal and sensitive data. “Don’t be a victim!” Intelligence agencies say. “Malicious cyber actors can leverage your home network to gain access to personal, private and confidential information.”
The National Security Agency added its voice to the FBI that Russia’s GRU intelligence agency “exploits vulnerable routers worldwide to intercept and steal sensitive military, government, and critical infrastructure information.”
Citizens are warned that APT28 (aka Fancy Bear) hackers working for Russia’s military are “collecting credentials and exploiting vulnerable routers around the world, including compromising TP-Link routers using CVE-2023-50224.”
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The TL;DR to this caveat is to stop using end-of-life Internet routers and ensure that those still in support are updated regularly. Let’s face it – the vast majority of home Internet users never bother. Nor do they typically change router passwords or — for the more advanced — add guest networks to the home.
The NSA reminds citizens that its “best practices for securing your home network” include “changing default usernames and passwords, disabling remote management interfaces from the Internet, updating to the latest firmware versions, and upgrading supporting end-to-end devices”. In other words, don’t ignore the router quietly operating in the corner of your living room or home office. This is a huge security risk.
The NSA also warns users that “at a minimum, you should schedule weekly reboots of your router, smartphone, and computer. Regular reboots help remove implants and ensure security.” This means turning it off and on again.
When was the last time you actually rebooted your home router? Of course you restart it when the internet fails as part of an improved get-well, but I’m sure you don’t schedule any form of weekly restart (automatically or manually).
You probably weren’t targeted by Russia’s military, you will be Be targeted by cyberattacks and hacks that are an ever-present threat to home internet, smartphone and computer users, and which are now on the rise thanks to AI.
This requires good homework habits. Changing passwords, updating when (and soon) updates are released, and – yes – weekly reboots. My advice is to make it a habit to restart devices including routers every Sunday.
Meanwhile PCMag has published a list of brands affected by the widespread router clampdown. “The FCC router ban is bad news for these brands,” the website reports.
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The list depends on data derived from internet speed tests. “The FCC’s ban on foreign-made Wi-Fi routers has many of us questioning whether we’ll be able to stick with our favorite router brands.
WiFi Now warns that “to our knowledge, consumer-grade Wi-Fi routers available in the US are manufactured only in China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. This includes popular home networking products by major Wi-Fi router brands such as NETGEAR, TP-Link, Google Nest, eero, Ubiquiti, and many others.”
A list compiled by Ookla highlights the problem. Compiled from Speedtest users, the list “can be considered a proxy” for Wi-Fi router market share.
Wi-Fi Router Market Share (2025-2026)
Okla
“As far as we know,” says Wi-Fi Now, “there is no domestic American product any A consumer-grade Wi-Fi router at the moment.”
Regardless of the brand of your router, check now to make sure it’s still getting firmware support by checking the model number, with FBI router warnings backed up by cyber agencies around the world. Then reboot it now.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
