How to Update DDWRT & Tomato Routers to Protect Against the KRACK Attack
We just covered the massive KRACK attack panic that has affected pretty much every Wi-Fi connection in the world. All it takes is a savvy attacker to be within radius of your router, and they can steal passwords, information, and sensitive data if you’re using Wi-Fi. The reason being is that a research team found that the WPA protocol is vulnerable to key decryption.
Fortunately, VPN routers–DDWRT and Tomato routers, are a perfect solution to extend security throughout your house to defend against KRACK attacks. DDWRT VPN routers put up a safety net of encryption on your internet, so your web traffic can’t be kracked in the same way as the WPA protocol that Wi-Fi uses.
However, if your router firmware is out of date, you might be vulnerable to attacks and data leaks if the VPN is turned off. In this guide, we will show you how to update your DD WRT and Tomato router so it has the correct and most up to date firmware to protect against the new KRACK WiFi vulnerability.
Method #1: Flash it Yourself!
If you want to update your router yourself, you need to be careful so you don’t brick your router (make it unuseable). The good news is that it’s not too hard. Simply download the latest patched DDWRT or Tomato firmware that matches your router.
From here, load up your router’s interface by going to “192.168.1.1”. If that address doesn’t work consult your router’s manual for the admin address. Once here, go to the “Firmware Upgrade” portion and click “browse” to find the file you just downloaded. Now, click “Upgrade”. Make sure to select the file that matches your specific VPN router’s make and model.
Method #2: Got a New 2017 DDWRT or Tomato Router? Auto Update!
If you got a brand new DDWRT or Tomato VPN router in 2017, then chances are you can use the automatic update function that is available on most recent builds. If you enable this setting, the router will automatically update once a new version of firmware is available. Even so, it is recommended to check the version to be sure you are running the latest patched build.
Method #3: Bought a TorGuard VPN Router? We got your back.
If you’ve bought a TorGuard VPN Router, that means you’ve also bought into the best customer support in the VPN industry. This means that if you are not comfortable updating the router yourself, TorGuard’s support team can update your router for you over a remote TeamViewer session. Or if you would prefer to send in your router, we can patch it for you and ship it back at no additional charge. To schedule a remote support session, or to ship your router back for re-flashing, simply contact our advanced support desk!
