FBI San Diego Warns of Russian Hackers Targeting Home Routers

Media
Apr 29
2 min read

SAN DIEGO — The FBI’s San Diego Field Office is warning residents and businesses about a cyber threat involving Russian hackers who are exploiting vulnerable internet routers to spy on users and steal sensitive information.

According to the FBI, hackers linked to Russia’s military intelligence agency, known as the GRU, have been targeting outdated or poorly secured home and small-business routers across the United States and around the world.

Investigators say the hackers are able to break into vulnerable routers and secretly change their settings. Once inside the device, the attackers can intercept internet traffic from phones, laptops, and other devices connected to the network.

Officials say the hackers may be able to capture passwords, emails, browsing activity, and login credentials that would normally be protected.

Federal authorities say the hacking campaign has targeted a wide range of victims, including government agencies, military systems, and critical infrastructure networks. However, everyday internet users could also be affected if their routers are not properly secured.

The FBI says many routers become easy targets when owners fail to update the device’s software or leave default usernames and passwords unchanged.

The FBI San Diego Field Office is urging the public to take simple steps to protect their networks:

Update router firmware to the latest version
Replace outdated routers that no longer receive security updates
Change default usernames and passwords
Disable remote access features if they are not needed

Anyone who believes their router or network may have been compromised is encouraged to report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov .

Federal officials say taking basic cybersecurity precautions can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these types of attacks.