Router Security Update

Customer security is a top priority for Verizon. In the past, we had been made aware of a potential Broadband Router security risk, and we continue to review administrative password security for the routers that Verizon provides as a part of our Fios service.

Verizon Fios customers may have received an email on this topic:

If you received an email advising that your router's administrative password is being changed

If you received an email suggesting that you change the administrative password for your router

If you have NOT received an email concerning your router's administrative password

More information about router security and Frequently Asked Questions

IMPORTANT: From time-to-time, individuals send out emails pretending to be Verizon for the purposes of gathering passwords and other personal information. Verizon will not send you any email on this issue with a Web link that requests your password information or other sensitive data. The Web links we include in emails concerning this issue will only connect to additional sites where further information and updates may be found. If you receive an email that claims to be from Verizon on this security issue and it contains links that, when "clicked" ask for personal information or password data, do not provide that information.

If you received an email advising that your router's administrative password is being changed

To improve the security of the Fios routers, where our review shows the use of certain default passwords (like "password1" or "admin1") in the router, and where we are able to do so, we are resetting the router administrative password to match the serial number of the router. The router "username" is not being changed.

There is no action required on your part at this time. These password changes will not impact the use of your computer or your Fios Internet Service, and will not change any of your personal network, web, or email settings. After the password change takes effect, you can log into the Verizon supplied router using the router serial number as the password.

You can find your router's serial number on a label attached to the bottom or back of your router, as shown below.

More information is included on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

How do I strengthen my router's password?

Customer security is a top priority for Verizon. Due to increased security threats against routers, we are reviewing the administrative password protection for the Fios Broadband Router that Verizon provides in connection with your Fios Service.

During this review, we found many instances where Fios routers were not protected by a strong password (weak passwords include “password” or “password1”). Verizon is encouraging all Fios customers to take steps to strengthen your router's security by establishing a stronger administrative password.

For step-by-step instructions to strengthen your router security, select the router image below that matches what you have in your business.

Verizon 9100EM Router

Verizon MI424WR Router

Verizon 9100VM Router

Actiontec MI424WR Router

D-Link VDI-624 Router

More Information about Router Security and Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Broadband Router and why does it have a password?
The Broadband Router manages your connection to the Internet, certain local area network (“LAN”) features and other network functions. The router includes a login screen for accessing the “administrative” controls for the router and to make changes to the router settings. A “username” and “password” have to be entered to log in to the router administrative controls.
2. Why are you changing certain administrative passwords for the Broadband Router?
We were recently made aware of a potential broadband home router security risk, and we are currently reviewing administrative password security for the Fios Broadband Routers that Verizon provides as a part of our Fios services. In many cases, we are able to strengthen the password protection for routers that use “default” passwords like “password1” or “admin1” by changing the default password to a more secure password that is unique, but still easily available to our customers. We are changing the default password to match the router serial number, which is located on the Broadband Router. We are not changing the administrative “username” for the router. Customers will receive an email notifying them if their router’s default password was changed, and any changes made will not affect your Internet service in any way except to better secure your Broadband Router.
3. Is Verizon the only company affected by this security issue?
No. This issue is not specific to Verizon.
4. How will changing the Broadband Router password to the router’s serial number affect my service?
Changing your router’s password will not affect your service or the functionality of the router and requires no action on your part.
5. Why are you using the Broadband Router's serial number as the password?
The Broadband's serial number is unique and cannot be readily detected remotely or guessed by hackers. It is also easy for you to find the serial number on the back or bottom of the router.
6. Will the Broadband Router be more secure using the router's serial number?
Yes. The serial number is much more secure than a default password, such as “password1."
7. How do I find the Broadband Router's serial number?
You can find your router's serial number on a label attached to the bottom or back of your router.
8. Why are generic passwords at risk?
Generic passwords such as “password1” or “admin1” can be guessed by system attackers more easily than passwords that are unique to each customer.
9. Does Verizon have access to the administrative password for my router?
The answer depends on the device. However, we can often tell whether the router administrative password is set to a default/generic password. When Verizon accesses the router, we do so for purposes such as maintaining the Internet service itself, changing settings, downloading router firmware, and improving network security.
10. I am not using a router that was provided by Verizon - are you changing my password?
No. Default passwords for routers not supplied by Verizon will not be changed.
11. What are some examples of strong passwords?
Strong passwords are not easily guessed and include a combination of letters and numbers. For more information, please visit the Strong Password.
12. Does Verizon monitor the Broadband Router?
Verizon monitors the health of customer connections and receives some data from the Broadband Router. For example, we get updates when certain events occur, such as the router being reset to factory defaults. Verizon also pushes out updated firmware to the Broadband Routers and may make configuration/setting changes as-needed to add features, correct bugs and improve security.
13. Should I be worried about my computer's security?
There are always threats to your computer, but most of them can be avoided through basic steps applied consistently. Verizon keeps up with the latest findings in security research and provides services such as Business Internet Secure to further protect your systems. While no single action will fully protect a system, using a unique password is one step towards good security.

Router Security Update

If you received an email advising that your router's administrative password is being changed

How do I strengthen my router's password?

More Information about Router Security and Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Broadband Router and why does it have a password?

2. Why are you changing certain administrative passwords for the Broadband Router?

3. Is Verizon the only company affected by this security issue?

4. How will changing the Broadband Router password to the router’s serial number affect my service?

5. Why are you using the Broadband Router's serial number as the password?

6. Will the Broadband Router be more secure using the router's serial number?

7. How do I find the Broadband Router's serial number?

8. Why are generic passwords at risk?

9. Does Verizon have access to the administrative password for my router?

10. I am not using a router that was provided by Verizon - are you changing my password?

11. What are some examples of strong passwords?

12. Does Verizon monitor the Broadband Router?

13. Should I be worried about my computer's security?