NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
blue47
Sep 02, 2022Aspirant
AX1800 Router Hacked
My Nighthawk router was hacked and the hacker changed the admin password to the router. I realized since I have the physical router I can perform a factory reset and go through the setup again, but I...
FURRYe38
Sep 02, 2022Guru
What model is this router? AX1800 is a wireless speed.
How are you sure of this?
Try the router password recovery option?
- blue47Sep 02, 2022AspirantIt is a RAX20.
- plemansSep 02, 2022Guru
why do you want the info off there?
I'd be more worried about getting my router back so others can't use it/access it.
- blue47Sep 02, 2022AspirantI should have explained better. I saw a massive spike in internet usage on my bill which prompted me to look at network. I know the addresses of all of the devices that I had given access to my network since getting the router (there were only five), but I am seeing 46 devices that do not belong. I also know that I do not have a smart TV or a Nest thermosat. As for the admin account I am assuming they changed it when my creditals stopped working. I am using a password manager so there is little opportunity for human error.
- FURRYe38Sep 02, 2022Guru
IF you can recover the PW using recovery feature of the router, get logged in again and I would change the SSID name AND password for the WiFi AND change the admin pw to something new as well and don't give it out to anyone. Be limiting on who you give the wifi pw too as well.
blue47 wrote:
I should have explained better. I saw a massive spike in internet usage on my bill which prompted me to look at network. I know the addresses of all of the devices that I had given access to my network since getting the router (there were only five), but I am seeing 46 devices that do not belong. I also know that I do not have a smart TV or a Nest thermosat. As for the admin account I am assuming they changed it when my creditals stopped working. I am using a password manager so there is little opportunity for human error. - michaelkenwardSep 02, 2022Guru
blue47 wrote:
I should have explained better. I saw a massive spike in internet usage on my bill which prompted me to look at network.So, they didn't hack the router so much – which would have given them control of it – as break into your wifi password? If they had really hacked you, and changed the wifi password, you wouldn't be able to get into the wifi.
The simple answer is to change the wifi password. Pick something hard to guess and don't write it on the wall!
Changing the SSID, or even hiding, isn't likely to make a difference. That is easily found.
You can set the router to block wifi access to new devices.
I know the addresses of all of the devices that I had given access to my network since getting the router (there were only five), but I am seeing 46 devices that do not belong.If these are Mac addresses, rather than IP addresses, don't assume that all of those devices have nothing to do with you. Some of our devices have more than one Mac address, for different wifi bands, for example.
There may be more than five, but 46 is highly unlikely.
Of course, you should also change the password for the browser graphical user interface (GUI) to block a real hijack.
- blue47Sep 03, 2022AspirantThere has been alot of activity since my new neighbors move in. By 51 devices, I ment the history, not the number of currently active devices.