FBI issues formal warning on massive malware network linked to Russia

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill




BY OLIVIA BEAVERS - 05/25/18 11:27 AM EDT

The FBI on Friday issued a formal warning that a sophisticated Russia-linked hacking campaign is compromising hundreds of thousands of home network devices worldwide and it is advising owners to reboot these devices in an attempt to disrupt the malicious software.

The law enforcement agency said foreign cyber actors are targeting routers in small or home offices with a botnet known as “VPNFilter,” which cybersecurity experts and officials say has infected an estimated 500,000 devices worldwide.

"The FBI recommends any owner of small office and home office routers reboot the devices to temporarily disrupt the malware and aid the potential identification of infected devices," the bureau's cyber division wrote in a public alert.

"Owners are advised to consider disabling remote management settings on devices and secure with strong passwords and encryption when enabled. Network devices should be upgraded to the latest available versions of firmware."

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/389366-fbi-issues-formal-warning-of-massive-malware-network-linked-to-russia

[Qutzupalotl]

1. K&R

[jeffreyi]

2. Ok, I'm in

But I do not know how to do this. I'm a retiree, nontech, all my equipment is old, I'm old, and I need a primer. Any good links out there for easy to follow steps?

[PSPS]

3. Not hard

1. Turn off the remote management feature of the router (this is the default setting on virtually every router, so this is probably unnecessary unless you specifically remember turning it on.)

2. Unplug the power cord to the router for 20 seconds, then plug it back in.

That's it.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. If it was set to off as the default

Just unplug and then replug?

[PSPS]

7. That's right

[JustAnotherGen]

10. Thanks

Mine wireless router is password protected - I will reset.
I will also reset the Xfinity unit.

[C Moon]

5. Trump will soon Tweet that the U.S. needs to ignore this warning from the FBI. Fake news.

[left-of-center2012]

9. Exactly my first thought

[lagomorph777]

6. The malware is Trump.

[BadgerMom]

8. US election interference by Russia. MH17 shot down by Russia.

Chemical attack on British soil by Russia. Malware infection by Russia. Russia is a rogue nation. With real leadership in America action might be taken globally. But Trump is a rogue president involved with Russia. I can’t wait for this to end.