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FBI WARNS OF HACKERS EXPLOITING OUTDATED ROUTERS.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.
DON’T USE YOUR HOME WI-FI BEFORE FIXING CERTAIN SECURITY RISKS
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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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Last year, the FBI opened a Cyber Range in Huntsville, Alabama, for simulating cyberattacks. Think of it sort of like the famous Hogan’s Alley, but for modern digital crime training. It’s a massive 22,000 square-foot replica of an entire town, complete with a convenience store, gas station, hospital, and even fully furnished houses.
It’s a training facility where the bureau can recreate real-world scenarios for training and research purposes. All of the various buildings and facilities are hooked up the way they would be in a real town. There’s even a small data center with over 200 servers that can be hacked, infected with malware, and studied. But, importantly, all of the systems in the fake town are cut off from the outside world, which means there’s no danger of any malicious code or anything from escaping containment.
Students practice performing forensic investigations on car entertainment systems, hospital computer networks, and corporate security systems. They can see how various cyberattacks might affect power grids or spread through home networks.
While the facility opened last year, the FBI only shared a video this week, giving the public its first glimpse inside.
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You know that shopping moment when you can picture the exact item in your head, but you have no idea what to call it? Maybe you want a dining chair with a curved back. Maybe you are looking for a black dress with sheer sleeves, but you do not know the exact style name. So you type a few vague words, scroll through a wall of products and wonder why online shopping still feels like a guessing game.
Amazon now wants AI to help close that gap. Its newest search feature creates AI-generated images in real time as you type inside the Amazon Shopping app. The idea sounds simple: describe what you see in your head, watch the image change with your words and tap the version that looks closest to what you want.
From there, Amazon shows visually similar products you can actually shop. Here’s how the new search experience works and why it could change the way you browse for clothes, furniture and home finds.
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AI HOME SEARCH COULD CHANGE HOW YOU BUY A HOUSE
Amazon’s visual suggestions help shoppers narrow broad searches by showing style-based image filters as they type. (Serene Lee/SOPA Images/LightRocket)
Amazon brings AI images into the search bar
Amazon says the new feature appears in the search suggestions area of its Shopping app for U.S. customers. It is rolling out on iOS and Android, starting with apparel and home, where looks carry a lot of weight. Amazon says more categories will be added over time.
That makes sense. Visual details can make or break a purchase. A “blue chair” may give you thousands of results. A “blue velvet accent chair with gold legs” gets closer. Add “curved back” or “tufted seat,” and the AI image can shift as your description gets sharper.
Instead of forcing you to know the right design term, Amazon lets you describe the look. Then the app turns that description into a visual cue.
How the new Amazon AI search works
You start by typing into the Amazon search bar the way you normally would. However, this time, Amazon wants you to use more descriptive language.
For example, you might type: “green dress with puff sleeves” or “wood coffee table with rounded edges.”
As you add details, AI-generated images appear below the search bar. Those images update as you refine your wording. When one looks close to what you imagined, you can tap it and shop for products with a similar look.
That last part is important because the AI image itself may not represent a real product listing. It works more like a visual guide. Amazon uses it to understand the style you want, then matches that idea to items in its store.
HOW GOOGLE’S ‘ASK PHOTOS’ USES AI TO FIND THE PICTURES YOU WANT
Amazon’s new AI search creates image suggestions in real time, helping shoppers refine a product idea with more descriptive words. (Amazon)
Here’s how to try Amazon’s AI image search
- Open the Amazon Shopping app on your iPhone or Android phone.
- Tap the search bar.
- Type a visual description of what you want. Include details like color, material, shape, pattern or size.
- Watch the AI-generated images appear in the suggestions area below the search bar.
- Keep adding details until one image looks close to what you had in mind.
- Tap the image to see visually similar products you can shop.
- From there, Amazon uses that visual cue to show products that look similar to your description.
How this could help you shop
The best use case here involves those hard-to-describe purchases. Furniture, clothing, accessories and decor often depend on texture, shape, pattern and color.
Search has always handled exact terms pretty well. Type a brand name or model number, and you usually get somewhere useful. The problem starts when you know the vibe but not the vocabulary.
Amazon’s AI search could help when you want:
- A coastal-looking couch that does not feel too beachy
- Dining chairs with a curved back
- A black dress with sheer sleeves
- Lighting with a woven shade
- Vintage-style rugs that do not look too formal
That could save time, especially for those of you who browse with a mental image instead of a shopping list.
The catch with AI-generated shopping images
There is just one big caution here: AI can create something that looks perfect but may not exist. That could lead to disappointment if the generated image looks better than the real products Amazon surfaces afterward. Shoppers may tap an image expecting an exact match and end up with close-enough results.
So treat the AI image as a sketch, not a product promise. Before you buy, check the actual listing photos, dimensions, materials, reviews and return policy. That extra minute can save you from ordering a “close match” that misses the detail you cared about most.
Amazon is expanding visual search in other ways, too
The new real-time AI image search fits into a larger push by Amazon to make shopping more visual. Amazon Lens already lets you point your phone camera at an item and search for similar products. Lens Live takes that further by scanning items in real time and showing matching products in a swipeable carousel.
You can also add text to an image search. So, if you upload a photo of a beige sofa, you can add a note like “in white” or “smaller size” to narrow the results.
Amazon also offers a “More like this” option on product images. That can help when you like one product’s look but want a different sleeve, length, color or style.
For iPhone users, Amazon Lens can also launch from the lock screen through a widget. That means you can spot something in the real world and search for it faster.
Shop by style adds outfit inspiration
Amazon is also using AI-generated style images in apparel search results. When you search for clothing, you may see “Shop by style” collages tied to looks such as “Urban luxe” or “Soft elegance.”
Tap a collage, and Amazon takes you to a page with shoppable items, similar products and style options you can browse. That makes the experience feel closer to a digital stylist than a basic product search.
It could help those of you who want outfit ideas rather than a single item. However, the same caution applies. Use the AI styling as inspiration, then judge the actual products on their own.
5 E-COMMERCE TECH TERMS EVERY SHOPPER SHOULD KNOW
Amazon’s “Shop by style” feature shows AI-generated outfit ideas in search results, making it easier to browse curated looks. (Amazon)
What this means for you
Amazon wants to make search feel less like typing keywords and more like describing a picture. That could make it easier to find products when you lack the exact name for a style, material or shape. It may also make browsing feel more personal and less frustrating.
Still, AI shopping tools can nudge you toward impulse buys. A polished image may make a product idea feel more appealing before you compare prices or check quality. So use the feature as a starting point, not the final word.
The smartest approach is simple: describe what you want, use the AI image to narrow your search and then slow down before checkout. Look at the real listing, read recent reviews and confirm the details that matter to you.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Amazon’s new AI search could make online shopping feel more natural for those of you who think visually. Instead of guessing the right product term, you can type what you imagine and let the app build a picture from your words. That could be genuinely useful for home decor and fashion, where small details often decide whether something feels right. At the same time, shoppers should remember that AI images can create expectations that real products may not match. So yes, Amazon’s search bar may soon feel more creative. The bigger question is whether that creativity helps you buy smarter or simply makes you want more.
Would you trust an AI-generated shopping image to guide your next purchase, or would it make you more skeptical before clicking buy? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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