What are the risks of using compromised MikroTik and TP-Link routers in cyber espionage?

Compromised MikroTik and TP-Link routers pose significant risks in cyber espionage campaigns like those conducted by APT28, as they can be turned into malicious infrastructure for DNS hijacking. This allows threat actors to intercept and redirect internet traffic, leading to data theft, surveillance of sensitive communications, and deployment of malware. For individuals and organizations, this can result in loss of confidential information, financial fraud, or compromised network security. The use of these common SOHO routers makes detection harder, as the malicious activity blends with normal network traffic. To mitigate risks, it's crucial to secure routers by using strong, unique passwords, enabling encryption, applying security patches promptly, and employing network monitoring tools to detect unusual DNS changes or traffic patterns.

📖 Read the full article: Russian State-Linked APT28 Exploits SOHO Routers in Global DNS Hijacking Campaign