Router Security

Blessed are the Geeks, for they shall internet the earth

Router Security Tips

Douglas Chick

Reminded by the latest Cisco security alert, many network managers do not realize that their routers can be the jump point to attack. Router operating systems are just as vulnerable to hacker mischief as network operating systems. Most medium to small sized companies do not employ router engineers, or outsource this function on a need to do basic. And because of this, network administrators, and managers, either do not know enough to secure the router or do not have time. Listed below are the 10 basic router security tips. 

1. Update your router's OS. Just like network operating systems, router operating systems need to be updated to correct programming oversights, flaws, and buffer overflow issues. Always check with your router manufacture for current updates and OS versions. 

2. Change the default password. As much as 80 % of security incidents are caused by weak or default passwords, (This is according to CERT at Carnegie Mellon University) Avoid using common passwords and use mixed case letters as a stronger password policy