Dangerous Worms Target Routers and Modems

This updated guide examines Dangerous Worms Target Routers and Modems and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

According to reliable sources, the worm is native to Australia and is known as "psyb0t" or Bluepill, the first known worm to infect home routers and modems..

Psyb0t is equipped with about 6,000 usernames and 13,000 passwords to combine to access home networks. Most home routers usually give you an unlimited number of attempts to enter the correct username and password, so these devices are an ideal location for infection. In addition, unlike your computers, routers and modems usually operate 24/24, which means that psyb0t can perform unlimited attempts and increase access.

None of the above mentioned dangers can yet be completely compromised, psyb0t is difficult to report to detect and most home users do not know that they have been infected. Like other worms, psyb0t is also designed to infect the system, then execute its owner commands, creating what is known as a botnet. It may not be much to create a warning but as APC magazine is reporting that the botnet capability for this worm is not high. However psyb0t is still suspected that it is controlling about 80,000 to 100,000 systems.

The DroneBl blog - a real-time blog that looks for botnets - says that the threat that psyb0t causes or can cause is exaggerated. DroneBL believes that this is not the end of the world: all routers have holes. While the appearance of psyb0t still brings a lot of concern because it is difficult to detect and this worm is used to steal personally identifiable information.

While the threat posed by psyb0t may not be high, it still requires users to take some preventive measures. The best way to protect yourself is to make sure you are not using your device's default password and username. Look up what comes with your device or the manufacturer's website for instructions on how to change your password and username. If you are concerned that you have been infected, reset the device to remove this worm.