While there are many ways to both attack and hack personal routers, actually frying one is not possible on modern devices.
I’ve spent a lot of my life working with and using different routers. That experience has given me a lot of knowledge on the devices, and it’s helped me understand just how they can be both attacked and protected.
The following paragraphs cover that topic in further detail by looking at how routers become fried, the different ways they can be attacked, as well as what you can do to protect yourself.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- While routers can be hacked and slowed down, the chance of getting fried by any external source is extremely unlikely.
- Suspicious activity, web redirects, strange slowdowns, or odd downloads are all signs someone is attacking your network.
- Always keep your router’s software up to date, monitor activity on your network, and create a strong password to prevent potential cyber-attacks.
Can A Router Be Fried
In today’s world, everything is connected. While that makes technology much more useful than it once was, it also makes networks much more at risk for outside attacks. There are many ways hackers can get into a connection. However, that doesn’t mean they are able to fry it.
Strictly speaking, there’s no way that someone can actually “fry” your router. They might be able to infiltrate it or hack it from an external source, but modern routers are practically impossible to overload in that way.
Still, that doesn’t mean your router is invulnerable to threats. Denial of service attacks can disrupt your connection, DNS hacking can lead to security breaches, while DDOS attacks cause slowdowns. Those are detrimental, but none of them will fry your machine.
How to Tell If Your Router’s Under Attack
Though your router isn’t going to get fried anytime soon, it can still be hacked. That’s something you need to watch out for, especially if you already think something is wrong.
The first is if you’re having any trouble logging into your router’s admin settings. That’s a huge red flag. You should always be able to get into your own system. If your password suddenly isn’t working, it likely means a hacker got into your router’s settings.
Something else that should raise concerns is suddenly slow internet speed. Though there are many ways your internet could slow down, a cyberattack is one of them. Browser redirects are another sign as well. Always be aware if your searches take you to strange websites.
Moving further along, suspicious network activity and any strange downloads are both common signs of an attack. If you ever see someone using your WiFi that you don’t recognize, or if there are any odd downloads, you should check your connection as soon as possible.
It’s important to always keep your network as secure as you can, which includes using a strong password and keeping all of your software up to date. The more top-of-the-line your router is, the better chance you have of fighting off any attacks.
Ways to Keep Your Router Safe
When discussing the possibility of someone overloading your router, users are typically referring to hacking or some sort of cyber attack. Though rare for most people, such incidents can happen if your security protocol isn’t up to date.
The most important step to preventing any external attacks is to have a strong password. Most people typically come up with something basic or use the first that pops into their heads. That’s typically not a good idea. It’s much better to go with something secure and hard to crack.
Something else to consider is making sure your router is up to date. Most users, especially ones with busy lives, never bother to keep their wireless equipment up to date. That then opens the door for external attacks. The more you update your router, the less that’s an issue.
Changing your router’s network name, using specific wireless security tools, and keeping track of who’s using your network are all great solutions too. They aren’t foolproof, but such measures ensure you stay on top of your personal connections.
How to Tell If Your Router is Fried
While hackers can’t outright fry your router, the devices do wear down (and become fried) over time. There are several tells that your device is on its last leg.
The biggest sign to watch out for is sudden stops. If your router shuts off or quits doing its job out of nowhere, it’s likely fried and needs to be replaced. Even if it comes back on, the issue is only going to get more and more frequent as time goes on.
In that same vein, slowdowns or non-responsiveness are both signs that something’s wrong with your device. Anytime it’s acting in a way you’re not used to, it could be a hardware problem. Check the indicator lights and see if any show a larger problem.
FAQs
These are some of the most common questions related to fried routers.
How Can I Tell If My Router is Bad?
If your WiFi constantly disconnects or your signal drops, especially when you once had a reliable connection, it’s often a sign that your router is degrading and it’s time for a new one.
Can I Check If Someone’s Using My WiFi?
Yes. There are a few ways to check if someone is on your network without your consent. You can log into your router’s admin settings, use special apps, or even download web programs that track activity.
Does Resetting Your WiFi Stop Hackers?
While a quick reset may not be a long-term solution, a factory reset that completely wipes your router is a great way to stop hackers. Short reboots can sometimes get rid of some malware as well.
Final Words
Routers can become fried, but that’s from years of use rather than a malicious attack. Despite that, it’s important to keep your router up to date and protected from any would-be hackers. All devices are vulnerable to some point, you want to reduce that risk as much as possible.
Has your router ever been overloaded? What security steps do you have in place to ensure others can’t get into your system? Let us know in the comments below!