Chuck Norris Botnet Roundhouse Kicks Routers

A so-called Chuck Norris botnet discovered by Czech researchers is spreading among poorly configured routers and DSL modems.

Computerworld reports that Czech researchers have uncovered a botnet that is spreading from one poorly configured router to the next. Jan Vykopal, the head of the network security department with Masaryk University's Institute of Computer Science in Brno, Czech Republic, told Computerworld on Friday that the botnet installs itself on your router's RAM by guessing default administrative passwords and taking advantage of the fact that many devices are configured to allow remote access. It also exploits a known vulnerability in D-Link Systems device.

Vykopal claims he has evidence that the hacked machines are spread around the world, from South America through Europe to Asia, and that the botnet aims at many networks of ISP and telco operators. The Chuck Norris botnet can be used to attack other systems on the internet (via a DDoS attack). It can also launch a password-guessing dictionary attack on another computer as well as change your routers DNS settings. Because the Chuck Norris botnet lives in the router's RAM, it can be removed with a restart.

Read the full story here.

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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.

24 Comments Comment from the forums

moomooman

The botnet wasnt infecting the router, it was hiding, from Chuck Norris
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The eyes of a botnet are upon your router. Anything ya do its gonna see...lol.
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Rancifer7

I suppose this is one of those few times a power outage can fix a virus :)
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the_krasno

moomoomanThe botnet wasnt infecting the router, it was hiding, from Chuck Norris
This made me laugh xD
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mlopinto2k1

I like this botnet. It'll give some bandwidth back to the backbones of the world by crippling massive amounts of users. Is the FBI gonna be knocking on my door because I said that?
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Ciuy

Only Chuck Norris can stop the plague ....
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decepticon

CiuyOnly Chuck Norris can stop the plague ....Apparently, a flip of a switch can stop this virus....not Chuck Norris.
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FlorinR

The botnet wasnt infecting the router, it was hiding, from Chuck Norris

:) :) :)
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redplanet_returns

Chuck Norris ....ok, i don't know how to make a Chuck Norris joke properly...
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amdchuck

Chuck Norris would not skulk about hoping some weakling had left their router password defaulted. Jean Claude Van Damme maybe, but not Chuck.
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