Always, Always Change Default Passwords

Consider this a little bit of public service announcement from Tasty Booze. The very first thing you should do whenever you get a new gadget or service that uses a password is to change the default password it came with.

The vast majority of wireless routers that I come across have never had their default passwords changed. You think the wireless at your house is secure because it requires a WEP key or a WPA password, but if someone can guess your default password (hint: it is printed online in owner’s manuals) then that someone can access your router and either disable or change those protections. How can this bite you in the ass? Well the FBI has recently started posting fake hyperlinks that claim to link to kiddie porn. When someone clicks one of these dummy links they are redirected to a government server that logs their IP address and notifies the FBI. The FBI takes that IP address to the ISP and gets the billing information for the account using that IP address. Then the FBI shows up at the billing address carrying a search warrant with weapons drawn. If someone uses your default password to access your wireless and then clicks one of the dummy links you are fucked.

Original Story: FBI posts fake hyperlinks to snare child porn suspects

Here is another default password you have probably never changed that can bite you in the ass. Your voicemail password. Telephone hackers (yes, they do exist) dial a number and try to guess the voicemail password. Generally, if it hasn’t been changed something like 1234 will work. Once they access your voicemail they change your outgoing message to “operator, I will accept the charges.” Once that is done they will start making international collect calls through your number and the phone company is going to come looking for you to pay the bill. One unlucky Sprint customer had $13,000 worth of calls charged to her account in just 48 hours.

Original Story: Landline Hacking

That it is my helpful hint of the day. Always change the default password. I will now get back to finding funny shit on the internet which is probably what you came here for.