The One Device You Forgot to Secure
You’ve updated your phone. Your laptop runs antivirus. You even rotate your OTT passwords every few months.
But what about the one device that connects everything? Your router.
If your router still uses “admin123” as the password, you’re not secure. You’re exposed.
In a country increasingly adopting smart devices from connected cameras to voice assistants, the humble home router has become the weakest link in India’s cybersecurity chain. And no one’s talking about it enough.
The Alarming Data Behind India’s Router Negligence
We think of cybersecurity as a corporate or enterprise concern. But in 2025, it’s hitting Indian homes hard and quietly.
Malware attacks in India increased by about 11% in 2024 compared to 2023, while ransomware rose by 22%. Internet of Things (IoT) device attacks surged by ~59% over that period.
Smart homes are no longer urban-only. Tier-2 towns now have connected doorbells, CCTV, smart lights, and IoT-powered health monitors creating multiple exposed endpoints.
Yet, the majority of routers shipped in the budget broadband category:
• Never prompt password change on first use
• Lack firmware update support
• Have no user education built-in
In short:
We’ve upgraded our lives. But not the box that connects them all.
What’s Actually at Risk?
We often underestimate how much passes through a router every single day:
• Banking apps
• Health records
• Work emails
• Children’s online classes
• IoT devices constantly exchanging data
• Voice assistants listening and storing prompts
A compromised router means everything inside your network can be monitored, redirected, or attacked, often without you knowing.
Top Threats:
• DNS hijacking – directing you to fake banking portals
• Botnet recruitment – your router used in cyberattacks
• Credential harvesting – via fake captive portals
• Surveillance – especially if CCTV or mics are connected
• Bandwidth theft – leading to slow internet and overages
Cybercriminals aren’t targeting your phone anymore. They’re targeting your router to reach everything else.
The Invisible Smart Home Risk in Tier-2 India
Smart devices are getting cheaper. Voice assistants now sell under ₹2,000. Home cameras are bundled with security services. Smart switches and IoT monitors are entering tier-2 markets rapidly. But while the front-end is getting smarter, the back-end router remains vulnerable.
Unlike cities where tech-savvy users install mesh routers or update firmware regularly, most users in emerging towns:
• Don’t know how to access router admin panels
• Never change default credentials
• Are unaware that firmware updates exist
This creates a silent threat. One that can’t be solved by awareness alone, it needs infrastructure-level change.
Our Take: Securing the Home Starts at the Last Mile
At Lytus, we believe cybersecurity shouldn’t start with fear. It should start with responsibility and design.
Here’s what we believe broadband providers across India, including us should start doing:
1. Pre-Hardened Routers as Default
Routers shipped with:
• Updated firmware (not factory-2020 versions)
• Admin credentials auto-generated per user (not “admin/admin”)
• Force password change on first login
A one-time intervention that can stop 70%+ of low-hanging attacks.
2. Auto Firmware Update Support
Many budget routers used in India today don’t support OTA firmware updates at all. Providers must begin auditing what gets shipped — and shift toward routers with active patch cycles from OEMs. Even an annual update reduces critical exposure windows significantly.
3. User Nudges and Simplified Dashboards
Why not have:
• A simple mobile dashboard with a “last updated” alert
• Periodic SMS/email nudges when firmware is out of date
• Clear steps to change Wi-Fi + router admin passwords in under 3 clicks
Because the average user won’t act unless we design it to be effortless.
4. Partnering With OEMs for Security-First SKUs
Can we co-create router bundles with manufacturers that prioritize:
• Security-first architecture
• Regular patch cycles
• Local-language setup guides
This isn't about increasing cost. It’s about increasing trust and long-term network health.
Conclusion: The Cyber Threat Is Already in the Room If the Router’s Unsecured
Cyberattacks today don’t come with warning signs. They don’t knock on the door, they slip in through the router.
We talk a lot about digital transformation, smart homes, connected lives. But the foundation for all of that is a secured, updated, last-mile device.
In 2025, India’s digital safety won’t be defined by what happens in corporate data centers. It’ll be decided at the entry point to your home network.
And it starts with one question: Is your router working for you or against you?