Are you aware of the susceptible threat that your Asus router might face if the firmware is outdated?
Asus has issued a warning to its router owners about the Cyclops Blink Botnet malware attack. As the technology is improving with each passing day, it is essential to stay current with the most recent capabilities that come from the firmware update. Good firmware support is the most crucial factor to maximize the performance of your device and ensure safety. You can’t compromise the functionality of your Asus router and sabotage the device by exposing it to threats from outside. The device will be ineffective when the firmware becomes obsolete and, consequently, your data becomes vulnerable to external interference.
What is Cyclops Blink?
Cyclops Blink is a malware framework that is targeted at SOHO devices. This malware can be on your device and decrease its performance. It could remain in flash memory and access any file that isn’t encrypted. Asus has instructed their customers that they must update the firmware of Asus routers.
Security Checklist issued by Asus
- Resetting the device back to factory defaults.
- Remember to update every device to the latest version of the firmware.
- Ensure that the admin password used by default has been changed into a more secure password.
- Enable remote management. It is turned off by default and is only activated via Advanced settings.
Affected products
- GT-AC5300 firmware= 3.0.0.4.384.xxx or earlier version
- GT-AC2900 firmware= 3.0.0.4.384.xxx or earlier version
- RT-AC5300 firmware= 3.0.0.4.384.xxx or earlier version
- RT-AC88U firmware= 3.0.0.4.384.xxx or earlier version
- RT-AC3100 firmware= 3.0.0.4.384.xxx or earlier version
- RT-AC86U firmware= 3.0.0.4.384.xxx or earlier version
- RT-AC68U, AC68R, AC68W, AC68P firmware = 3.0.0.4.384.xxxx or earlier version
- RT-AC66U_B1 firmware = 3.0.0.4.384.xxxx or earlier version
- RT-AC3200. Firmware will be released soon.
- RT-AC2900 firmware = 3.0.0.4.384.xxxx or earlier version.
- RT-AC1900P, RT-AC1900P = 3.0.0.4.384.xxxx or earlier version.
- RT-AC87U (EOL)
- RT-AC66U (EOL)
- RT-AC56U (EOL)
Suppose you aren’t planning to install this firmware to protect yourself from intrusions and unauthorized access. In that case, you should disable remote access via the WAN. Now you can reset your router to its factory default settings.
If you’re trying to remove all the customized settings in your router back to the default settings, you can try various ways to reset asus router based on your model. Be sure to note down all your essential credentials to be used in the future.
Reset using Web GUI
- Firstly, open any compatible browser and input the local gateway http://router.asus.com.
- Log in with the login username and password on the login screen and click Sign In.
- Once you’ve accessed the internet-based application of the router, you can select the Administration option.
- Select Restore/Save/Upload Setting tab from the following menu appearing in the drop-down.
- Click the Restore button to restore your router to its factory default.
Reset using the reset button
- Find the reset button on your router. The location may vary with the model.
- Now press the button.
- You should hold it for about 5-10 seconds. The light of the power LED will begin to flash.
- Be aware that no LED lights need to be lit at this period. This behaviour is expected because of the router rebooting.
- Finally, be patient until the light on the LED turns back on.
- With this, the reset process comes to an end now.
Reset using the WPS button
- Switch off the router first.
- Click the WPS button. Press it for a couple of seconds. The router is turned on.
- The power light is on. Hold on to the WPS button.
- When the light on the power LED is flashing, release the button.
- The power light ceases to flash as the router begins to restart.
How to upgrade the Asus router firmware manually?
The process to download and upgrade may depend on the model you own. But, we will discuss every aspect here.
- Firstly, download the most recent firmware from the Asus official support site.
- Get your contents extracted from the ZIP file you downloaded. Within the folder, you’ll discover it’s.trx file
- Determine the IP address on the device. The method can vary based on whether you are Windows, Android, or Mac OS X user.
- Upload the firmware to the device. Enter the local IP address. Then enter your username and password required to log in to the Asus network device.
- Once you have logged into the Asus network device, select to enter the Firmware Version number at the top of the page.
- Select the Choose File button present on the firmware upgrade page. Be sure you’re uploading the correct firmware version.
- Choose the firmware that is unzipped .trx file that you downloaded before.
- Select the open button. It is present in the bottom left corner.
- Make sure the file you have selected is the right one. Click on the Upload button at the end.
- Gear up the firmware installation now. Wait for 3 minutes until the firmware file is installed on the device.
- After the firmware update has been completed, press the ON/OFF switch on the device to restart it.
- After rebooting, log back into the device and verify that the most recent firmware version is successfully installed.
How to Upgrade the firmware using the Web GUI?
- Use any compatible browser to navigate WebGUI.
- Input the login credentials, then click Sign In.
- There will be an announcement in the top-right corner of the screen when a new firmware version is made available.
- Click Update Now, and it will bring you to administration. Select the System page. Select Firmware Upgrade now.
- Wait for a few seconds until your upload is completed.
- When the upgrade is completed, log in to the online UI once more and go to the administration option.
- Choose Restore/Save/Upload Setting. Select the Factory default option, and then select Restore.
- You can reset the router now when the pop-up window appears. After you click OK, the reset will begin.
- Lastly, you can configure the router once more.
Conclusion
For more details on this subject contact our experts right now.