A Corporate Secret is not Destroyed, it’s Discarded: Threat of Old Routers

Many business network environments probably experience the process of removing a defunct router from a rack and accommodating a shiny refurbished replacement now and then. The fate of the disposed router should be as significant, if not more so, as the smooth transition and delivery of the upgraded kit into the rack. The truth is, however, that this is not always the case. 

Home and business security are threatened by security issues stemming from vulnerabilities in routers. These threats can extend beyond email compromises to security breaches in physical homes. However, despite this, people rarely consider security as a concern when using their devices. According to research, approximately 73% of Internet users never consider upgrading their router or securing their system. Therefore, it can be considered one of the major threats to the Internet of Things.

It surprised the ESET research team that in many cases, previously used configurations had not been wiped away when they purchased a few used routers to setup a test environment, causing them to be shocked upon realizing the data on the routers could be used as a source of identification along with the network configurations of the prior owners. 

The researchers purchased 18 used routers made by three popular vendors: Cisco, Fortinet, and Juniper Networks, in a variet

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