Security Alert

Today's post is short, but important if you own an older Linksys router. The unusual element in this story is the warning comes from the FBI. (PDF)

A fair amount of tech literature drops in my box, keeping me fairly up to date about cyberattacks and vulnerabilities. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t recall a previous FBI interventions. Without reverting to field literature, I hazard affected models have a known weakness that, because the manufacturer has discontinued said models, are especially susceptible to exploitation.

Affected models can be used for Man in the Middle attacks, Evil Twins, data theft, and weaponizing your machine as a zombie bot to attack others.

What do we do?

If you have an older Linksys device, compare it to the following list, which also contains one Cisco unit. If the model doesn’t show on the front or back, it will be identified with a label on the bottom.

Don’t confuse routers with modems. The modem will be fed by a cable coming in from the outside. Next in line, the router will be attached to the modem. Wi-fi modems will have one, two, or three antennae. Linksys gadgets will be either near-black or more traditionally, a vivid ‘IBM blue and grey’.

Is my obsolete model useless?

• In theory if you can disable your machine's remote admin, you could continue using it.
• You could probably convert it into a wired ‘switch’, but if your internal network is that extensive, you’ll likely want newer, faster, safer equipment.
• Otherwise, donate it to your local recycler.

The Dirty Dozen

Here’re the dangerously obsolete models. Stay safe.

Compromised Modems

Linksys E1000	Linksys E2500	Cisco M10
Linksys E1200	Linksys E3000	Linksys WRT310N
Linksys E1500	Linksys E3200	Linksys WRT320N
Linksys E1550	Linksys E4200	Linksys WRT610N

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