How your home router might be the backdoor in to your corporate network. Beware of the bear!

As the world becomes increasingly connected, the line between personal and professional technology is becoming blurrier than ever. Many of us are now working from home, and that means our personal devices are being used for business purposes more often than not. But what happens when those personal devices aren’t properly secured? That’s where unpatched home networking infrastructure comes in.

You might think that your home network is secure enough, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. In fact, some hackers are specifically targeting home networks in order to gain access to corporate data. One shocking example comes from the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), who discovered that a hacking group linked to the Russian government had been using compromised home routers to steal data from Western governments and businesses.

According to the NSA, the group known as APT29 (or Cozy Bear) had been using unpatched home routers to create a “backdoor” into corporate networks. Once they gained access, they could steal data, install malware, and wreak havoc on the affected systems. And the scariest part? The NSA believes that APT29 is just one of many groups using this tactic to target businesses around the world.

So, what can you do to protect yourself and your company? The first step is to make sure your home network is secure. That means checking for firmware updates regularly and installing them as soon as they become available. It also means setting strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication whenever possible. By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your home network isn’t an easy target for hackers looking to steal corporate data.

In conclusion, the dangers of unpatched home networking infrastructure are very real, and the consequences can be catastrophic. Don’t assume that your home network is secure – take the necessary steps to protect it, and by extension, your company’s data. And if you’re ever in doubt, remember the shocking example of APT29 and their use of compromised home routers to steal data from businesses around the world. It’s a wake-up call that we should all take seriously.