Your home router, that little box that gives you Wi-Fi, might secretly be helping criminals.

Security researchers recently found a new piece of harmful software, called Evooo1Bot, that's been sneaking onto internet-connected devices, especially routers. This software is a type of "botnet" malware, meaning it turns your device into a "bot" or zombie computer controlled by someone else, without you knowing. Evooo1Bot is based on an older, well-known botnet called Mirai, but it has new tricks up its sleeve, making it more flexible and dangerous.

Think of your home router as a highway interchange for all your internet traffic. Normally, cars (your data) go in and out directly. But with Evooo1Bot, criminals can essentially build a secret, hidden exit ramp and entrance ramp on your interchange. This lets their traffic sneak through your system, appearing as if it came from you, not them. They use your device as a "SOCKS5 proxy," which is like a middleman that relays their internet requests, hiding their true origin.

Why does this matter to you? When your router becomes a traffic relay, criminals can use it to hide their illegal activities, like launching cyberattacks, sending spam, or even distributing more malware. Because the traffic looks like it's coming from your home, it's harder for law enforcement or security teams to trace it back to the actual bad guys. This could also slow down your internet connection, as your router is busy handling someone else's traffic in the background.

This kind of attack, where everyday devices are hijacked, is becoming more common. Many companies, like Google with its Gemini AI or OpenAI with GPT, focus on making AI models smarter. But while they build bigger brains, other less glamorous corners of the internet, like the security of our basic network hardware, often get overlooked. Criminals are always looking for the weakest link, and often, that's the device we plug in and forget about.

To protect yourself, make sure your router's software is always up to date. Check your router's manufacturer's website regularly for "firmware" [the basic software that makes your hardware run] updates and install them. Also, change the default password on your router to something strong and unique, rather than leaving it as "admin" or "password." These simple steps can close the door to many common attacks.

Keeping your router updated and secure is crucial to preventing it from becoming a tool for cybercriminals.