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How to Detect and Stop Malware or Botnets on Your Network
Router & WiFiAdvanced60-120 minutes

How to Detect and Stop Malware or Botnets on Your Network

Difficulty
Advanced
Time
60-120 minutes
Category
Router & WiFi

Suspect your network has been compromised by malware or a botnet? Here's how to detect infections and clean up your devices and router.

💡What's Happening

You've noticed strange behavior on your network - unusually slow speeds, devices acting weird, unexplained network traffic, or maybe you received a notice from your ISP about suspicious activity. You suspect malware or that one of your devices has been recruited into a botnet. This is serious because infected devices can be used to attack others, steal your data, or mine cryptocurrency without your knowledge. The good news is that with some careful investigation, you can identify infected devices and clean them up.

✓Quick Checks (Do These First)

  • Check for ISP warnings. Did you receive an email or notice from your internet provider about malware or botnet activity?
  • Monitor network activity. Look at your router's traffic stats - is there heavy upload/download when no one is using the internet?
  • Look for unknown devices. Check your router's connected devices list for anything you don't recognize.
  • Run antivirus scans. Scan all computers, phones, and tablets with updated antivirus software.
  • Check IoT devices. Security cameras, smart TVs, and other IoT gadgets are common botnet targets.

Signs Your Network Might Be Compromised

  • Internet is slow even when no one is actively using it
  • Router shows constant heavy traffic at odd hours (middle of the night)
  • Devices behave strangely - crashing, slow performance, overheating
  • Router settings have changed without your knowledge
  • Antivirus software has been disabled or won't install
  • You can't access certain security websites or your bank
  • Pop-ups, redirects, or ads appearing where they shouldn't
  • Your ISP contacts you about abuse complaints

🔧Step-by-Step Fixes

Fix 1: Check Router Logs for Suspicious Activity

  1. Log into your router at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1
  2. Find "Logs," "System Logs," or "Security Logs"
  3. Look for unusual patterns: connections to strange IPs, repeated failed login attempts, port scans
  4. Note any IP addresses or domains that appear frequently but you don't recognize
  5. Google suspicious IPs to see if they're known malicious servers
  6. Take screenshots of concerning activity for reference

Fix 2: Monitor Real-Time Network Traffic

  1. In your router, find "Traffic Monitor," "Statistics," or "Bandwidth Monitor"
  2. Watch which devices are actively using bandwidth RIGHT NOW
  3. If a device is constantly uploading/downloading when it shouldn't be doing anything, that's suspicious
  4. Note the MAC address and device name of the suspicious device
  5. IoT devices (cameras, smart TVs) infected with botnets often show constant upload traffic

Fix 3: Isolate and Scan Each Device

  1. Disconnect all devices from your network except one
  2. For that device, run a complete antivirus/antimalware scan with updated software
  3. Use multiple scanners: Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, HitmanPro, or Kaspersky Rescue Disk
  4. Quarantine or remove any threats found
  5. Repeat for each device one by one
  6. This is time-consuming but thorough - you'll find the infected device

Fix 4: Check IoT Devices for Infections

  1. Security cameras, smart TVs, and NAS devices are common botnet targets
  2. Log into each IoT device's admin interface
  3. Check for firmware updates and install them immediately
  4. Change default passwords - many botnets exploit devices still using factory passwords
  5. Look for unfamiliar user accounts or scheduled tasks
  6. If a device can't be updated or secured, factory reset it
  7. Consider isolating IoT devices on a separate network (guest network)

Fix 5: Change All Router Passwords

  1. Change your router's admin password to something strong and unique
  2. Change your Wi-Fi password (this kicks everyone off - reconnect trusted devices only)
  3. Disable remote management if it's enabled
  4. Disable WPS (it has known vulnerabilities)
  5. Disable UPnP if you don't need it (botnet malware uses this)
  6. Save all changes

Fix 6: Update Router Firmware

  1. In router settings, find "Firmware Update" or "System Upgrade"
  2. Check for available updates
  3. Install the latest firmware - this patches vulnerabilities that malware exploits
  4. If no updates are available and your router is old, consider replacing it
  5. Routers more than 3-4 years old often have unpatched security holes

Fix 7: Enable Router Firewall and Security Features

  1. In router settings, find "Firewall" or "Security"
  2. Enable the built-in firewall if it's not already on
  3. Enable "SPI Firewall" (Stateful Packet Inspection) if available
  4. Enable "DoS Protection" (Denial of Service protection)
  5. Block WAN ping requests
  6. Some routers have built-in malware protection (like Asus AiProtection, Netgear Armor) - enable these

Fix 8: Use DNS-Based Malware Filtering

  1. Change your router's DNS to security-focused services
  2. In router settings, find "DNS Settings" or "WAN Settings"
  3. Change to Quad9 (malware blocking): 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112
  4. Or use Cloudflare Malware Blocking: 1.1.1.2 and 1.0.0.2
  5. Or OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
  6. Save the settings and reboot the router
  7. This blocks access to known malicious domains at the network level

Fix 9: Factory Reset the Router (Last Resort)

  1. If you suspect the router itself is compromised (malware in firmware), factory reset it
  2. Use the reset button on the router (hold for 10+ seconds)
  3. The router will reset to factory defaults
  4. Log in with the default credentials (check the sticker on the router)
  5. Immediately change the admin password
  6. Update firmware to the latest version
  7. Reconfigure your network from scratch with strong passwords
  8. Only reconnect devices you've already scanned and cleaned

Preventing Future Infections

  • Keep all devices updated - enable automatic updates
  • Use strong, unique passwords for everything
  • Don't use default passwords on routers or IoT devices
  • Disable UPnP and WPS on your router
  • Isolate IoT devices on a guest network
  • Use security-focused DNS (Quad9, Cloudflare Malware Blocking)
  • Run antivirus software and keep it updated
  • Be cautious about opening email attachments or clicking links

⚠️If Nothing Worked

If you've cleaned all devices, reset the router, and still see suspicious activity, you may have a sophisticated infection or a compromised device you can't identify. At this point, professional help is recommended. A security-focused tech can use advanced tools to capture and analyze network traffic, identify infected devices, and ensure your network is clean.

📞When to Call a Pro

Malware and botnet infections can be complex and persistent. If you're not confident in your technical skills, if you've received ISP warnings, or if you're dealing with sensitive data (business, financial), professional help is absolutely worth it. A tech can thoroughly audit your network, clean infected devices, and set up proper security measures to prevent reinfection.

Need Professional Help?

If you're in the Tampa Bay area and suspect malware or botnet activity on your network, Geeks in Sneaks provides friendly, on-site tech support in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and Dunedin. We can thoroughly clean your devices and secure your network.

Schedule a Visit

Related Topics

routermalwarebotnetsecurityvirusnetwork-securityinfection

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