My wireless network has been hacked

Secure that account using a strong passphrase. Wi-Fi Protected Setup WPS has good intentions; it allows users to connect their devices to a wireless network without using a password.

If you have a Linksys router, for example, you can disable WPS by doing the following:. Step 3: Click the toggle so that it reads OFF. Step 4: Click on the Apply button. Anyone within range of your router can see this name, know who built your router, and search the internet for the default login credentials. SSIDs can be 32 characters long. If you want to keep hackers off your network, we suggest one of the best routers for security.

Malware you unintentionally downloaded to your computer or mobile device could lead the way to a hacked router. You may have obtained the malware by clicking on a link in a phishing email or chat message, connecting an infected flash drive, accessing a malicious website, or viewing infected ads.

Even mobile devices can grant hackers access to your router. For instance, the Switcher trojan lurked in Android apps and contacted a command-and-control server once the user connected to Wi-Fi. By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Author - Kevin Parrish. Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices.

At HighSpeedInternet. Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.

Pro tip: Are you troubleshooting speed issues? Jump to: Signs that someone hacked your router How to fix a hacked router How to prevent a router hack Jump to: Signs that someone hacked your router How to fix a hacked router How to prevent a router hack.

Signs that someone hacked your router. All internet browsers lead to the same site. Pro tip: When left unsupervised, kids can download software without fully realizing the possible consequences.

You receive a ransomware message. Pro tip: Phishing is another email-based way to hack into your router. You see unrecognized devices on your network. Your internet speeds are slower than snails.

Pro tip: Are you experiencing slow internet speeds? How to fix a hacked router or gateway. Step 1: Disconnect the router or wireless gateway. In both cases, disconnect all wired and wireless devices. Step 2: Power cycle or reset your router or wireless gateway. Step 3: Change the password.

Step 4: Update the firmware. How to prevent a router hack. Turn on automatic updates. Use a secure password. Schedule routine reboots.

Disable remote access. Disable WPS. Change the default SSID. Pro tip: If you want to keep hackers off your network, we suggest one of the best routers for security.

Never click or tap on strange links. Sign up for our newsletter. Get more from your internet. Have a better, faster, more secure experience with your internet. Remote management gives you access to your router from a distant location. Remote management is enabled by connecting a router to the internet.

Even though they have passwords, the attackers can figure the passwords out and therefore, have complete access to your entire network. Outdated software and weak passwords are a couple network vulnerabilities that make it easy for attackers to access your router. This left their connections potentially susceptible to attackers who exploit such firmware vulnerabilities.

Things get real ugly real quick once a hacker gains access to your router. A few examples are as follows:. Once hackers have found their way into your router and network, they will most likely carry out malicious activities like website reroutes and identity theft. Here is how to tell if your wireless router has been hacked:. Different router attackers have various reasons for gaining illegal access to your router.

For example, wanting free access to a Wi-Fi connection. Hackers with a more malicious intent can be identified because your router will have more flagrant symptoms. Presence of such symptoms call for immediate action e. Other symptoms like router inaccessibility and unapproved software installations also indicate possible hacking. To fix this:. Rebooting the router disrupts active malware. The FBI recommended that users reboot the routers as soon as they suspect any threat.

After the reboot, reconfigure all the network settings. While there are routers that auto-update their firmware, there are those that do not—as such, ensuring that the firmware is continually updated will help keep attackers at bay.

It is safest to upgrade the firmware as soon as an upgrade is available or after every three months. While remote administration is a helpful feature, you should consider deactivating it. Lack of this feature means you are reducing the chances of real-time computer manipulation.

Once a hacker has access to your computer, they also have access to all of your data, including sensitive documents, emails and images.

They can also install new software on your computer and uninstall security measures like your antivirus and firewall. If your default browser changes suddenly or redirects you to an unfamiliar page, then your home network has probably been hacked.

Usually, this type of activity is caused by a browser redirect virus. Be especially careful with browser redirects, since attackers may send you to a spoof website where they will try to harvest personal or financial information. Hackers like to use stealth to operate undetected for as long as possible. Fortunately, there are ways you can check to see if someone is hijacking your network. The first thing you can do is check out what devices are connected to your network. You can do this right from your computer.

Usually, this is located in a section called Device List or Attached Devices. Take a look at these steps for how to stop hackers in your home network. Every wireless router comes with a reset button that restores the router to its default settings.

When you hit the reset button, it will disrupt anyone lurking in your network. Keep in mind that resetting your router is not the same as power flushing it. When your router boots up after resetting it, be prepared to reconfigure your network settings.

Your network should be protected by a strong, unique password. If your network was password-protected prior to being hacked, you should reset the password to make it more difficult for intruders to re-establish access to your network.

Remote administration is a setting on your router that permits someone to access your system from a far-away location. While the setting can be useful in some legitimate scenarios, it can also be abused by hackers. There are red flags that a hacker has gained remote access to your computer, such as when your cursor moves on its own or programs seem to install themselves all on their own.

Deactivating remote administration will no longer allow hackers to abuse that feature to access your network. There are multiple ways to hack a home network, and one of them is via malware.

Certain viruses, like a keylogger, record everything you type on your keyboard, including your usernames and passwords.