Tag Archive for: router

Best secure router of 2024

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Best secure router: Quick Menu

In an era where network security is paramount, choosing the best secure router is crucial for safeguarding your online presence, whether at home, in the office, or in a small business setting. 

As more devices become network-enabled, the necessity to protect your network against unauthorized access and threats becomes more pressing. With the right secure router, you can enjoy not just fast Wi-Fi access, but also the peace of mind that comes with enhanced security.

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Audio Router routes audio from programs to different audio devices

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Let’s assume that you want to use headphone for Microsoft Edge’s YouTube video but a speaker when watching movies on the VLC media player or Windows Media Player. Such things are not possible on a Windows PC. While Windows 10 lets you set preferred speakers for an app, Windows 8.1/7 users have no such option. If your version of Windows does not allow you to set different speaker for different apps, you may want to check out Audio Router.

Audio Router for Windows PC

Audio Router is a free Windows software that allows you to choose the different audio output for different apps. For instance, you can set headphone while listening to music on Spotify and use the speaker for other purposes. It is a portable Windows software, which means you do not have to install it on your computer.

After downloading, unzip the zipped folder and double-click on Audio Router.exe file to open it.

set different speaker for different apps in Windows 10

On the UI, you can find all the opened apps as well as default audio device, and all the connected audio devices including headphone, Bluetooth speaker, wired speaker, etc.

Let’s assume that you want to set speakers for Microsoft Edge. For that, click the arrow icon visible in the bottom of an app and select Route.

Audio Router for Windows PC

You will get a popup window with a drop-down menu. You need to select an audio device or output from the corresponding drop-down menu.

Having done that, your app will start using that audio output instead of the default one.

Audio Router has some other options as well. Like you can mute a device by clicking the Mute button, duplicate an audio output by clicking the Duplicate button and so on.

Audio Router is a simple open-source Windows software, and if you like it, you can download it from Github.

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Router botnet tied to Volt Typhoon’s critical infrastructure breaches

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Chinese threat group Volt Typhoon used a sophisticated botnet of unsecured home and small business routers to stealthily transfer data during a major campaign targeting U.S. critical infrastructure discovered earlier this year.

The group’s actions raised alarm in the intelligence community when they were first reported in May because of the breadth and potential impact of its attacks. Organizations across a range of sectors, including government, defense, communications, IT and utilities were targeted.

One victim was a critical infrastructure organization in the U.S. territory of Guam. There were fears the breach could be a precursor to an attack aimed at disrupting U.S. military capabilities in the nearby South China Sea.

KV-botnet comprised of end-of-life routers

In a Dec. 13 post, Lumen Technologies said following the discovery of the attacks, its Black Lotus Labs division discovered Volt Typhoon — and possibly other advanced persistent threat (APT) actors — had used a botnet as a data transfer network as part of its operations.

Dubbed KV-botnet, it was a network of mainly end-of-life infected small office/home office (SOHO) routers made by Cisco, DrayTek and Netgear.

“The KV-botnet features two distinct logical clusters, a complex infection process and a well-concealed command-and-control (C2) framework,” the researchers said. “The operators of this botnet meticulously implement tradecraft and obfuscation techniques.”

There were several advantages of building a botnet from older SOHO routers, they said, including the large number available, the lack of security measures and patching they were subjected to, and the significant data bandwidth they could handle without raising suspicion.

“Additionally, because these models are associated with home and small business users, it’s likely many targets lack the resources and expertise to monitor or detect malicious activity and perform forensics.”

In a separate statement, Lumen said KV-botnet had enabled Volt Typhoon to maintain secret communication channels that merged with normal network traffic, avoiding security barriers and firewalls.

“This botnet was essential for their strategic intelligence collection operations,…

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People are just realising a little-known Wi-Fi hack makes router upgrades less of a nightmare – it’ll save loads of time

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THERE’S one issue people complain about time and again when upgrading their Wi-Fi router.

“Do I have to change the network and password on all my devices?”

Changing the password on every device you own is a massive hassle

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Changing the password on every device you own is a massive hassleCredit: Getty

In the early days of Wi-Fi it was fine as you probably owned a handful of gadgets that could use it, such as a laptop.

Today, we own a load of internet-connected devices from TVs, phones, tablets, smart lights, heating systems, you name it.

Going through the settings to change the network it’s connected to and the password is a massive pain.

But there might be a far quicker way to solve it.

One trick is to go into the router’s settings and rename it (known as the SSID), as well as the password, so it matches your old router.

There are some caveats – if you’re upgrading from a really old router that has very dated security protocols it won’t work.

It’s also worth pointing out, your Wi-Fi password should not be simple as this makes it far too easy to hack.

So if you’re currently using a basic password, it’s far better to use this opportunity to go with a new complex password that’s watertight than the dangerously easy one of the past.

You’ll need to access your router’s system settings to do this, so check your box’s instructions on how to do it.

But here’s how to do it on Sky, Virgin Media and BT.

How to change Wi-Fi password on Sky

To change your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password on Sky, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure you’re connected to your new router.
  2. Type 192.168.0.1 into your web browser.
  3. Select Wireless or WiFi.
  4. Type in the default username, which is “admin”.
  5. Enter your password – this will either be “sky” or the Wi-Fi password on the back of your hub, depending on the kit you have, so try both.
  6. In Network Key, enter the password of your old Sky Hub.
  7. Click Apply.

How to change Wi-Fi password on Virgin Media

To change your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password on Virgin Media, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure you’re connected to your new router.
  2. Type 192.168.0.1 into your web browser.
  3. Go to Advanced settings from the left menu.
  4. Click on Wireless.
  5. Click on Security.
  6. Change the network names and password to the exact ones used on your old…

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