sky router passwords

[danny565]

Hi

i have just had a new sky router and noticed that the password takes the same format as the old router (ie. 8 capital letters). is this the same for all sky routers as default? because if it is this makes them very vulnerable to a brute force attack using an easily created password dictionary.

Danny

[James67]

If you're referring to the WPA password, then yes, it's the same on all Sky's routers, 8 capital letters. That's about 200 billion combinations - not a great deal in this day and age.

In the case of the V1 router, it's generated entirely from the router's MAC address, which of course is broadcast in the clear, so when you pick up someone else's Sky wireless network, getting the WPA password is pretty easy.

The best advice is to disable wireless if you're not using it, or if you do need it, set a stronger password, especially in the case of the V1 router, but it's good advice for people with V2 routers as well.

[PaulSky]

And if you change the password make sure you know it/ remember it, calling T1 and not being able to access the router will just lead to a full reset of the router back to factory settings

[pete.i]

Hey Danny565 I just tried to squash that bug thing you have on your avatar LOL

Yeah I know but its been a long day and no I haven't been drinking.