Technology
FBI says Russian hackers hijacked old Wi-Fi routers
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Your Wi-Fi router may be the least glamorous gadget in your home. It sits on a shelf, blinks in the corner and only gets attention when Netflix freezes. However, that little box controls a lot more than you may think.
The FBI and Justice Department say a Russian military intelligence hacking group abused vulnerable small office and home office routers to help run an espionage operation. The group is known as APT28, Fancy Bear and Forest Blizzard. It has been linked to Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency.
The hackers changed router settings so internet requests could flow through servers they controlled. That gave them a way to watch for valuable targets, redirect traffic and steal sensitive login information. The Justice Department and FBI say they disrupted the U.S. portion of the network in April. That is good news. Still, law enforcement cannot walk into your house, update your router or change the password printed on an old sticker. That part is on you.
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FBI WARNS OF HACKERS EXPLOITING OUTDATED ROUTERS. CHECK YOURS NOW
Wires are connected to a router to maintain internet connectivity. (Wolf Von Dewitz/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)
How this router attack worked
This attack focused on SOHO routers. That stands for small office and home office routers. In other words, these are the kinds of devices used by small businesses, remote workers and some homes. The Justice Department says the hackers used weaknesses in older routers to change DNS settings.
DNS is like the address book for the internet. When you type a website name, DNS helps your device find the right online destination. If hackers control that address book, they can send certain requests through their own servers. That can let them spot valuable targets and try to steal passwords, authentication tokens, emails or browsing data.
That to me is scary because the victim may not see anything obvious. Your laptop may still connect. Your phone may still browse. Your router may still look normal. Meanwhile, the traffic can be quietly routed through a bad path.
Why old routers can become a weak spot
Routers age like any other device. The problem is that many people keep them for years after the manufacturer stops supporting them. That can leave known security holes sitting open.
Many people also never change the router’s admin username and password. That admin login is different from your Wi-Fi password. It controls the router itself. If that login still uses a default password, a hacker has a much easier path inside.
Think of it this way. You may have strong passwords on your bank account, email and phone. But if your router is outdated and poorly protected, your network still has a soft spot.
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A router’s admin settings can become a security weak spot when firmware is outdated or default passwords are never changed. (TP-Link)
Which routers were targeted?
The FBI specifically referred to the TP-Link WR841N in its warning. The UK National Cyber Security Centre also listed other TP-Link models targeted by APT28. The agency says the list may not be complete.
Here are the routers named in the advisory:
- TP-Link LTE Wireless N Router MR6400
- TP-Link Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router Archer C5
- TP-Link Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router Archer C7
- TP-Link Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router WDR3600
- TP-Link Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router WDR4300
- TP-Link Wireless Dual Band Router WDR3500
- TP-Link Wireless Lite N Router WR740N
- TP-Link Wireless Lite N Router WR740N/WR741ND
- TP-Link Wireless Lite N Router WR749N
- TP-Link Wireless N 3G/4G Router MR3420
- TP-Link Wireless N Access Point WA801ND
- TP-Link Wireless N Access Point WA901ND
- TP-Link Wireless N Gigabit Router WR1043ND
- TP-Link Wireless N Gigabit Router WR1045ND
- TP-Link Wireless N Router WR840N
- TP-Link Wireless N Router WR841HP
- TP-Link Wireless N Router WR841N
- TP-Link Wireless N Router WR841N/WR841ND
- TP-Link Wireless N Router WR842N
- TP-Link Wireless N Router WR842ND
- TP-Link Wireless N Router WR845N
- TP-Link Wireless N Router WR941ND
- TP-Link Wireless N Router WR945N
If you see your model on this list, take it seriously. Many of these routers are older. Some may no longer get normal security support. We reached out to TP-Link for comments, but did not hear back before our deadline.
What TP-Link says about the router warnings
A spokesperson from TP-Link Systems Inc. told CyberGuy the company is aware of recent public reporting involving legacy consumer routers, including TP-Link models listed in those reports. The company said the referenced legacy router models reached End of Service and Life status several years ago.
“While these products are outside our standard maintenance lifecycle, TP-Link has developed security updates for select legacy models where technically feasible,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also urged customers using legacy or end-of-service devices to upgrade to currently supported hardware that receives regular security updates.
“As immediate precautions, users should update to the latest available firmware, disable remote management, and restrict device access to trusted internal networks only,” the spokesperson said.
TP-Link added that the security of its customers is its highest priority and said detailed mitigation guidance, along with a list of identified affected legacy products, is available on its official security advisory page.
What this means for you
Most people do not think about their router until the Wi-Fi drops. But your router sits between your devices and the internet. That gives it a powerful position in your home or small business. If a hacker changes the router’s settings, every connected device can feel the impact. That includes your laptop, smartphone, tablet, smart TV and work computer.
This is especially important if you work from home. A weak router can create a risk for your personal accounts and your workplace accounts. The good news is that you do not need to be a cybersecurity expert to lower the risk. You just need to stop treating your router like a forgotten appliance.
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Security agencies say replacing unsupported routers is one of the most important steps users can take after this kind of attack. (TP-Link)
How to protect your router from hackers
The good news is that a few simple router checks can reduce your risk and help keep hackers from quietly changing how your internet traffic moves.
1) Check your router model
Look at the label on your router. You can usually find the model number on the bottom or back of the device. If it matches one of the listed models, check the manufacturer’s support page for firmware updates. If the device is no longer supported, replace it. Do not keep an end-of-life router because it “still works.” A router can still provide Wi-Fi while leaving your network exposed.
2) Update your router firmware
Firmware is the software that runs your router. Updates often fix security problems. Open your router’s app or log in to its admin page. Look for a firmware update section. Turn on automatic updates if your router offers that option. If it does not, set a reminder to check for updates regularly.
3) Change the router admin password
Your router has an admin login. This is separate from your Wi-Fi network password. Change the default admin username and password. Use a long, unique password that you do not use anywhere else. A password manager can help you create and store a strong router password so you do not have to remember it. Also, change your Wi-Fi password if you have shared it widely or kept it for years. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com
4) Disable remote management
Most people do not need to manage a home router from outside the house. Remote management can give attackers another way to reach your router. Log in to your router settings and turn it off unless you truly need it. The wording may vary by brand. Look for “remote management,” “remote access” or “WAN access.”
5) Reboot your router
A reboot will not fix every router problem. However, security agencies often recommend restarting routers as part of basic home network hygiene. Unplug your router, wait about 30 seconds and plug it back in. This can help clear some temporary malicious activity. Still, it does not replace updates, stronger passwords or replacing an outdated device.
6) Watch browser certificate warnings
Do not click through browser warnings that say a site certificate is invalid or unsafe. Those warnings can appear when something is interfering with a secure connection. In this kind of attack, that warning could be a major red flag. Close the page instead. Then check the site by typing the address yourself on a trusted network.
7) Use a VPN for sensitive work
If you handle work files or sensitive accounts from home, use your company-approved VPN. A VPN can help protect traffic when you connect to workplace systems. It can also reduce exposure when you use networks you do not fully control. Still, a VPN isn’t a free pass to ignore router updates. You need safer habits and safer hardware. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
8) Use strong antivirus software
Strong antivirus software can help protect your devices if a bad link, a fake login page or a malicious download reaches you. It will not fix a vulnerable router, but it can add another layer of protection for your computer and phone. Look for security software that can detect malware, warn you about phishing sites and help block suspicious activity before it causes damage. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
9) Consider identity theft protection
If hackers steal your login details, the damage can spread beyond your Wi-Fi network. Identity theft protection can help monitor for signs that your personal information is being misused. It may alert you to suspicious activity involving your credit, accounts or personal data so you can act faster. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com
10) Use a data removal service
A data removal service can help reduce the amount of personal information about you that is available online. That is important because scammers often combine stolen logins with exposed details from data broker sites. Removing your information from those sites can make it harder for criminals to build a fuller profile of you or your family. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
11) Replace outdated routers
If your router no longer receives security updates, replace it. That may feel annoying. I get it. Nobody gets excited about buying a router the way they might get excited about a new phone. But your router protects everything connected to it. Spending money on a supported device can be cheaper than cleaning up stolen passwords later.
Kurt’s key takeaways
This router warning should make every home and small business owner pause for a minute. The scariest part is how ordinary the target is. We are talking about routers that may be sitting in homes, home offices and small businesses right now. The FBI and its partners disrupted part of the Russian operation. However, that does not magically secure old routers still sitting on shelves. So check your model. Update the firmware. Change the admin password. Turn off remote management. Replace the router if it no longer gets updates. Your router may be boring. But if it gets hijacked, it can become one of the most important security problems in your home.
Would you know how old your router is right now, or is it one of those devices you have not touched since the day it was installed? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Apple’s self-driving car program never really got off the ground, but it may have been what made the company’s chips the powerful AI performers they are. Early in the development of the self-driving platform, Apple realized that it would need powerful on-device AI processing. While the car processor was never finished, as Mark Gurman details in his latest Power On newsletter, it did lead to the development of the Neural Engine, the backbone of Apple’s on-device AI processing.
The Neural Engine made its debut with the iPhone X and the A11 Bionic. In those early days, it was primarily used for computer vision, powering FaceID, Animoji, and augmented reality features. But by laying the groundwork for on-device AI processing, Apple established itself as an early leader by bringing the Neural Engine to desktops with the M-series chips. While Apple’s AI software efforts have lagged behind the rest of the industry, its hardware has been impressive. It’s also what has allowed Apple to tout its privacy features, since less data is sent to the cloud.
Apple is making its AI hardware a cornerstone of its strategy going forward. According to Gurman, the company is skipping the Pro, Max, and Ultra versions of its upcoming M6 chip. Instead, it’s accelerating development of the M7, which should arrive in the first half of 2027 with significant Neural Engine upgrades. The M7 Ultra is expected to be the basis for a new server product from Apple as well, with support for up to 1.5TB of RAM.
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A cockroach in a tiny scuba suit sounds like something you would run from, not something you would send into a disaster zone. Yet scientists say this strange little setup could one day help rescue teams search places people and larger robots cannot safely reach.
Researchers from NTU Singapore and Waseda University have developed a flexible diving suit for cyborg cockroaches. The suit lets the insects survive and move underwater, as well as through low-oxygen spaces, for up to three hours.
The study was published in Nature Communications. The goal is to expand how cyborg insects could help after floods, earthquakes or other disasters where rubble, drains and tight spaces can block access.
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The tiny diving suit delivers oxygen to the cyborg cockroach, helping it move underwater for up to three hours. (NTU Singapore)
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How the cyborg cockroach diving suit works
A cyborg cockroach is a living insect fitted with tiny electronics that can guide its movement. Unlike a small artificial robot, it uses its own muscles to walk. That means it needs far less battery power than a robot that depends on motors. However, cockroaches still need air. They breathe through small openings called spiracles. Once submerged, they cannot pull oxygen from water.
That is where the cyborg cockroach diving suit comes in. The suit has an oxygen-generation tank, a flexible waterproof shell and four silicone oxygen tubes. Together, those parts keep water out while sending oxygen directly to the cockroach’s breathing openings.
The oxygen tank is 3D-printed from a clear plastic-like resin. Inside, researchers placed a sponge treated with manganese dioxide. They then added a small amount of diluted hydrogen peroxide. That chemical reaction slowly releases oxygen. From there, the oxygen travels through the suit and into tubes attached to the cockroach’s spiracles. In other words, the insect gets its own tiny oxygen system. The researchers compare it to the tank used by human divers.
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Why scientists turned a cockroach into a rescue robot
The team tested the suit on the Madagascar hissing cockroach. That species is often used in cyborg insect research because it is large, sturdy and wingless. The suit turns the cyborg insect from a land-based crawler into an amphibious rescue robot that can move across dry and wet terrain.
That could help in places where normal robots struggle. A disaster site may include collapsed concrete, standing water, blocked drains and narrow gaps. A small insect-guided system could move through those spaces while future versions carry sensors or cameras. The idea may make your skin crawl. Still, the engineering is impressive. Researchers are using the cockroach’s natural movement and adding a way for it to keep breathing underwater.
The tiny onboard controller receives computer commands that help guide the cyborg cockroach’s movement during testing. (NTU Singapore)
What happened when cyborg cockroaches went underwater
With the diving suit, the cyborg cockroaches stayed active underwater for up to three hours. Without the suit, a control cockroach suffocated within about two minutes during testing. The researchers also tested the insects in plastic tunnels that simulated tough rescue conditions. One setup included a carbon dioxide-filled section followed by a water-filled section. The cyborg cockroaches wearing the suit made it through.
The team also tested narrow underwater gaps. With implanted electronics instead of a bulky backpack, the cyborg cockroach moved through a 2-centimeter-high crevice. That is the kind of space where many small robots could get stuck.
How cyborg insects could help search and rescue teams
The biggest takeaway is that rescue robots may not always look like machines. In some cases, they may use a living insect’s body and add technology around it. A cyborg cockroach can crawl through debris, squeeze into tight spaces and use very little power. Add underwater movement, and it becomes more useful in flooded disaster zones.
That could help after heavy rain, earthquakes or infrastructure failures. Future versions could inspect flooded pipes, drains, tunnels or damaged buildings. The researchers are still improving the system. They want to test it in more disaster-style environments, make the suit more durable and add sensors and navigation tools for field use.
What this means to you
You probably will not see cyborg cockroaches crawling around your neighborhood anytime soon. This is still research, not a rescue tool ready for everyday emergency crews.
However, it shows where search technology may be heading. Rescue teams need tools that can reach places humans cannot safely enter. If a small living insect can carry electronics, move through rubble and keep going underwater, it could become part of a larger rescue system.
That could eventually mean faster inspections after floods, better access inside damaged buildings and more options when every minute counts.
Kurt’s key takeaways
A cyborg cockroach in a diving suit sounds wild, but the reason behind it is serious. Disaster zones can be full of tight spaces, toxic air and standing water. Those conditions can stop people, drones and many small robots. This research gives scientists a new way to think about rescue technology. Instead of building every part from scratch, they are using the cockroach’s natural movement and adding the missing piece: underwater breathing. To me, the big question is what happens when this kind of technology gets sensors, cameras and better navigation. That could turn a creepy little crawler into a tool that helps save lives.
Would you be comfortable with cyborg insects being used in search-and-rescue missions if they could help find people faster? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
Rescuers work at the site of a collapsed building complex in the aftermath of earthquakes, in La Guaira, Venezuela, on Friday. (Reuters/Ricardo Arduengo)
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Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield had been seeking documents from Paramount related to its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. Rayfield also asked a state circuit court judge to delay the closing of the deal by 60 days so that his office could review the documents. But according to Deadline and Variety, he’s now dropped his civil investigative demand for the records.
Obviously, Paramount is pleased with Rayfield’s decision to withdraw his request, but the AG’s office isn’t exactly satisfied with the outcome.
Jenny Hansson, communications director for Rayfield, told Deadline that, “Paramount made it clear that they weren’t going to comply with the investigative demand, and that they think they’re above the law. We’re not going to let them waste Oregonians’ resources on these games. We’ve withdrawn the motion to consider our next steps.”
Rayfield specifically was interested in documents relating to Paramount’s lobbying efforts, which were codenamed “Project Warrior.” Paramount is run by David and Larry Ellison, major supporters of Donald Trump who enjoy a cozy relationship with the White House. The President went out of his way during the proceeding to say that Netflix, Paramount’s primary rival for Warner Bros. Discovery, would “pay the consequences” if it didn’t remove Trump critic Susan Rice from its board.
While Oregon’s efforts to stop the merger have stalled, others, including California, New York, and even the UK, are considering moves to block the deal on antitrust grounds. Hollywood has also spoken out in opposition to the merger.
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