Web pages all redirect to fake sites!!

bobman1235

Are you referring to the password for the config page?

I just type username = admin, password = password to get into the router.

Haha! Seriously?! So there's your problem. Someone logged into your router using that same default password and changed your DNS stuff. This surprises you?

Go to the admin page of your router, change your login and password. Now.

Serendipity

But they had to connect to it wirelessly, right?

Which means they would need to know the other, complex (?%& characters were used) password.

bobman1235

NO. Most routers have the ability to be controlled via the web. If they knew your IP, they could just go to http://xx.xx.xx.xx:8080 and there's your router, wide open for the world. (You can disable this ability as well, which is recommended)

Serendipity

I never knew that! I thought the config page was only available locally.

Also, is it bad that I am using multiple routers as access points to extend coverage?

Serendipity

I just followed the instructions on this page: http://kbserver.netgear.com/inquira/default.asp?ui_mode=answer&prior_transaction_id=436507&action_code=5&highlight_info=16777285,133,140&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fkbserver.netgear.com%2Fkb_web_files%2FN101496.asp&answer_id=98667282#__highlight

That is how I turned the routers into access points but I don't know if it is safe or not.

Edit: The wireless routers are always on sale vs. the access points which are never discounted, so my question is would using the method above be unsafe in any way?

mmadden28

appadv wrote: »

Are you referring to the password for the config page?

I just type username = admin, password = password to get into the router.

:eek::eek::eek:

Serendipity

mmadden28 wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek:

Haha, okay. I get it now.

With regards to being cheap and using routers as AP's, is that dangerous/unsafe?

mmadden28

appadv wrote: »

I just followed the instructions on this page: http://kbserver.netgear.com/inquira/default.asp?ui_mode=answer&prior_transaction_id=436507&action_code=5&highlight_info=16777285,133,140&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fkbserver.netgear.com%2Fkb_web_files%2FN101496.asp&answer_id=98667282#__highlight

That is how I turned the routers into access points but I don't know if it is safe or not.

Edit: The wireless routers are always on sale vs. the access points which are never discounted, so my question is would using the method above be unsafe in any way?

With a setup like that, only the router/access point that is connected to the Cable/DSL/FiOS modem would be accessible via the internet. Unless of course you opened up the rules to allow other traffic in (which is not the usually default). Should be fine but change the default passwords on EVERYTHING anyway.

Also make sure the WiFi portion is protected, use WPA2 if you can over WEP,

Thing of a typical Wireless Router as an AVR. An AVR has a preamp, amp, tuner, decoders, etc all in one unit. The typical wireless router is the same-It has the router, the wifi access point, and the LAN switch all in the same unit, but managed or packaged as one unit. Using a WiFi router as an access point is fine. Its kinda like just using your AVR's preouts to an external amp. (if that helps understand it at all). So you're not really using the router features of the Wireless router on the internal ones.

Serendipity

So from what I understand it's the WIRED router I need to be worried about?

I have the WIRELESS routers (turned into AP's via Netgear's instructions) connected to the 1-4 ports on the WIRED router. These should be safe as long as you have WPA2 enabled on them? I think I need to upgrade these units because they are a few years old then to get the WPA2.

The WIRELESS routers shouldn't be accessed by the Internet since they are just AP's hiding behind the WIRED router. But I should change the login passwords on them too?

bobman1235

For safety's sake, just pretend you have to worry about all of them. None of them should have the default password.

billbillw

Always change default passwords to something personal. I do this on everything that has a password. Computers, websites, etc.

Hackers are getting more and more savvy every day.

mmadden28

appadv, you got it right.

bobman1235

How much space are you trying to cover that you need FOUR wireless routers broadcasting? And how much can you be gaining if all four are wired into the same wired router? Are you saying you have five routers (one wired, 4 wireless) in one room? Your setup bewilders me.

Serendipity

No, when I meant the "1-4 ports" I meant the connections labeled 1-4. I'm only using two AP's.

And they are on opposite ends of the house. It would be idiotic to have them in the same room.

awe-d-o-file

browser hijack! Go to Trend Micro and do a free online virus scan then download "hijack this" and remove all that crap you don't want running anyway.

Serendipity

awe-d-o-file wrote: »

browser hijack! Go to Trend Micro and do a free online virus scan then download "hijack this" and remove all that crap you don't want running anyway.

Did you read the thread? The issue was a hacked router redirecting PC's to sites with malware.

Hijack This wouldn't have solved the problem.

Serendipity

Just wondering -

This could happen on a Mac too, right? If the router was compromised...

mmadden28

appadv wrote: »

Just wondering -

This could happen on a Mac too, right? If the router was compromised...

Yes.

Well technically anything that uses the compromised router as a DNS server. Of course it is possible to have another DNS server internal to your network, but thats a bit more advanced and most home users won't be running anything like that. :rolleyes: