FBI Alert: Hackers Hijack Outdated Routers for Cybercrime—Secure Yours Now

We obsess over updating our phones, laptops, even smartwatches, but that dusty router in the corner? Often ignored. Big mistake. The FBI is sounding alarms about cybercriminals turning outdated routers into their personal playgrounds. In a May 2025 alert, the feds warned that old, unpatched routers are being hijacked by malware, transforming them into tools for anonymous cybercrime.

Think your ancient router is just slow? It might be running a side hustle for hackers. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center dropped a public service announcement on May 7, 2025, spotlighting how criminals exploit routers that vendors stopped supporting years ago. Devices from 2010 or earlier are prime targets, infected by a nasty malware called TheMoon. This digital pest turns your router into a proxy node, letting bad actors mask their online tracks while your IP takes the blame.

These compromised routers fuel underground networks like 5socks and Anyproxy, where hackers sell access to your device for illicit schemes. From phishing to data theft, your forgotten hardware could be enabling a cybercrime spree. Worse, it might slow your Netflix to a crawl or land you in legal hot water if authorities trace illegal activity to your network.

TheMoon, first spotted in 2014 targeting Linksys routers, has evolved into a stealthy botnet builder. It sneaks in through unpatched firmware flaws, often via a single malicious web request. Once inside, it can tweak settings, open ports, and connect to command-and-control servers, all while you’re none the wiser. For businesses, the stakes are higher—think ransomware or data breaches that could cripple operations.

Here’s how to lock down your network:

• Replace old routers: If your router’s older than a middle schooler, check its model number and search for firmware updates. No updates in years? Time for a new one.
• Update firmware: Log into your router (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and check for updates under “Firmware” or “Administration.”
• Disable remote access: Turn off “Remote Management” in your router settings to block external attacks.
• Strong passwords: Ditch the default “admin/password” combo for something like T#8r2k!sG91xm4vL.
• Watch for weirdness: Slow internet or unknown devices on your network? Update firmware, change passwords, and reboot.
• Report issues: Suspect a breach? Notify the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

This isn’t just about upgrading gear. It’s a wake-up call about the tech we take for granted. Manufacturers drop support, users forget to update, and hackers pounce. Should companies be on the hook for securing devices they’ve abandoned? That’s the real question lingering in the digital dust.