Discarded routers an opportunity for hackers

If you had  to clean out your office storeroom right now, you might just find a few old WiFi routers lying about taking up valuable space.  But before you get rid of these items for good you may want to wipe them completely – before hackers get hold of them and access your important data.

A WiFi router may not seem like it could be the key to your important financial and customer information, but in reality every device attached to your network could be a weak link in your cybersecurity chain.

Let’s take a look at the unique threat posed by discarded routers and other devices, and how you can ensure that they don’t compromise your important data.

Routers are a cybersecurity weak point

A recent UK survey by the consumer protection agency Which?, showed that a shockingly high number of Britons – over two million, to be exact –  hadn’t updated their router software in years.

A similar trend is likely unfolding in SA, putting entire IT networks at risk of cyberattacks.

The survey showed the routers pose three threats to cybersecurity:

1. Weak passwords – Most routers come with default passwords that can be accessed online – and you don’t have to be a super hacker to do it. The information can be learned by simply reading the manual.
2. Out of date software – Routers need to be updated just like phones and other devices or they could become highly vulnerable to cyberattacks.
3. Local networks with weak security – This is a general flaw of the IT network itself and could result in attackers gaining control of the router entirely. This could be the perfect launchpad for an online attack or data theft.

How to keep hackers away from your current and old routers

When most of us throw something away it goes into the “gone and forgotten” category in our minds.

Unfortunately, if your router or device falls into the wrong hands it could reveal sensitive corporate information such as network passwords, third-party data connections, network credentials and other information that criminals could use to access important data or launch an online attack.

• Every router currently in use on your network should be updated, patched, and have a regular password change to ensure maximum security.
• When you dispose of old routers it’s essential to change default passwords and ask your IT manager to wipe them using the manufacturer functionality.
• Ideally, old devices should be recycled professionally or physically destroyed so that they can’t be accessed by unauthorised parties.

Reduce your physical hardware risk: secure your data in the cloud

Routers, laptops, and other physical devices are a risky way to store data because they can so easily be stolen.

With secure cloud storage, your data will be encrypted in the cloud – not sitting on your premises. To secure your valuable business information with us, browse our range of packages today.