Why Hackers Want Your Router (And What You Can Do About It)

You might think your home Wi-Fi router just helps you stream Netflix and scroll social media. But to an advanced attacker — especially ones linked to espionage or cybercrime — your router can be a gateway to much more serious stuff.

A recent attack on ASUS routers shows how easily a home device can be turned into a stealthy spy tool, malware server, or even a weapon for other hacks. The worst part? You probably wouldn’t even notice.

Let’s look at how this works, why your router matters so much to attackers, and what you can do right now to stay safe.

What Can Hackers Do With Your Router?

If someone takes over your router, it’s not just your connection that’s at risk. They can use it for:

🕵️‍♂️ Launching Attacks from Your Network

Hackers often try to hide where their attacks are coming from. By routing their traffic through your home Wi-Fi, they make it look like a regular person accessing a website or company system.

This is called a residential proxy — and it helps them sneak past detection systems.

💻 Hosting Malware

Your router can quietly deliver malware to target devices, or act as a middleman for stolen data leaving the victim’s network.

🪤 Honeypot for Other Hackers

In some cases, attackers use compromised routers to monitor what other hacker groups are doing.

🧨 Injecting Malicious Traffic

They can change the content of websites you visit, steal passwords, or load fake ads — all without needing to touch your laptop or phone.

🔥 DDoS Attacks

A hacked router can become part of a botnet, flooding websites with traffic alongside thousands of other hijacked devices.

And yes — even a smart kettle can be part of a DDoS army.

How Routers Get Hacked

There are two main routes in:

1. Weak Passwords

Many routers still use default login credentials (like admin/admin or 123456). Attackers scan the internet for these devices and try common combos until one works.

2. Unpatched Software

Every router runs firmware — and like any software, it can have bugs. Hackers identify the make and model of your router, then try known exploits to take over.

Once they’re in, they often install hidden backdoors to keep access — even after reboots or updates.

What Made the ASUS Attack So Nasty?

This wasn’t your typical “change the password and move on” kind of attack.

Hackers targeting ASUS routers used multiple vulnerabilities:

• They tried default or weak passwords first.
• If that failed, they bypassed login altogether using exploits.
• Then, they enabled the router’s hidden SSH access feature.
• Finally, they added their own cryptographic key so they could connect remotely — even after a firmware update.

This level of stealth means you wouldn’t see anything unusual in the settings — and even a factory reset might not help.

The good news? These bugs have been patched. But if your router was already compromised, you’ll need to dig into the settings yourself to be sure you’re safe.

How to Check for ASUS Backdoors

If you have an affected ASUS router, do this:

1. Log in to the admin panel.
2. Check if SSH is enabled (especially on port 53282).
3. Look for any saved SSH keys starting with:
4. If you find one, delete it.
5. Still unsure? Do a full factory reset — not just a reboot.

It’s Not Just ASUS

Researchers say this attack style has hit at least 60 other device models — including routers, NAS boxes, security cameras, and even VPN servers.

Models from D-Link, Cisco, Linksys, QNAP, and others have been affected. While the technical details vary, the goals are similar: break in, stay quiet, and use the device for stealthy, long-term access.

And these attacks don’t just come from criminals. Some are linked to state-sponsored groups running full-on espionage campaigns.

How to Lock Down Your Home Router

You don’t need to be a network engineer to secure your home network. Here’s what matters:

✅ Pick a Router That Gets Updates

Don’t settle for the free router from your ISP. Look for models released in the last year or two from brands that regularly release firmware updates.

Check forums or sites like RouterSecurity.org to get a sense of how well a model is supported.

🔄 Keep Firmware Updated

Enable automatic updates if your router supports them. Otherwise, check for new firmware every few months.

If it’s been over a year since the last update, your router might be too old to protect.

📴 Disable What You Don’t Use

Turn off things like:

• Remote admin access (especially via SSH, Telnet, or HTTPS)
• Mobile router management apps
• Features you don’t need (like UPnP or WPS)

🔐 Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Change both:

• The admin panel login (don’t keep admin)
• The Wi-Fi password

Avoid using the same password for both. Make them long and unique — a password manager helps here.

🔍 Audit Your Settings

Go through every tab of your router’s settings and look for:

• Unknown port forwards
• New user accounts you didn’t create
• Saved SSH keys or strange hostnames

If something looks off, search online for your router model and the suspicious data — or reset the device and set it up fresh.

🛡️ Use a Network Monitor

Some security tools (like Pi-hole or network-wide scanners) can alert you to new devices or weak spots.

They’re especially useful in homes with lots of smart gear (TVs, plugs, voice assistants, etc).

Final Thoughts

Most of us think of routers as “set-it-and-forget-it” gadgets. But as these recent attacks show, they’ve become a favorite entry point for hackers — especially those who don’t want to be seen.

You don’t need to panic, but you do need to stay aware. Keep your firmware current. Use strong passwords. And check your router like you check your bank account — not every day, but regularly enough to catch something weird.

A secure router won’t stop every attack — but it closes one of the biggest, quietest holes in most home networks.