Question

For those that followed my issue. I was looking for a reason why it was hard to program the insteon app to view some cameras because my normal way of viewing stopped. This is at a remote location. Went to that location and the router was factory defaulted. After setting up the correct wifi info and port forwarding, everything is back up and operational. Why did it factory default? I feel someone tried to hijack the router and failed.  

Answer 1

I have my own router internally with all the settings on, and my ISP supplied one only forwards to my router so I have less work to do should something like this happen, I also have my settings backed up plus everything is behind two firewalls. just a suggestion.  

Comments

@scandalize iv been thinking of doing the same. Have you disabled WiFi on the ISP router?  

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Yes . or rather, did not turn it on. with my ISP if I want their wifi on they charge a few bucks extra per month

Answer 2

My linksys has done this as well

Answer 3

What happened. it happened again. Going to have to wait to go back and fix the problem. I have limited access to things, change routers? change ip addresses? both? For those that recommended firewalls, wouldnt having remote access to the router, have about 9 ports forwarded, defeat the firewall? I guess maybe restrict access ip list for remote access might help. While i dont pay for static ip address from my home, its been pretty unchanged for a long time.  

Comments

The firewalls would close all ports except the few you need and you can redirect external ports to internal ports, 11111 > 80 giving limited access to web pages or 22222 > 22 for SSH. Not fool proof by any means but misdirection may/may not help

Answer 4

How old is the router? I find they have a life of about 3 years then they seem to start dying for . reasons. also, there is a cmd: wget -qO-  ; echo that gives the external IP address. You could create a script to email this to yourself when it changes so you may be able to login again
http://ipecho.net/plain

Comments

Maybe 3 years about. i have other routers older. still dependable

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You have others? can you swap them around?  

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Have to go there. cant do that remotely. yet :)

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I'd be looking at replacing the router with a new one, when you can get there, of course

Answer 5

What recommendation of a new router would people recommend. I probably need backwards to 802. 11b, easy to program port forwarding, and remote access. I am not looking for a gaming platform, just home automation, and need i say. harder to hack?  

Answer 6

I like netgear, as I can config it directly and not go via the manufacturer's website as happened with another make, cannot remeber which now, didn't have it long. I think I have the R7500 night hawk atm. But I understand ubiquiti and Asus are good too.  

Comments

I like netgear too, i like to program it, not the dummy way.  

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Looked at the price. might be overkill for my needs. not needed for streaming multiple video feeds.  

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Yeah . it wasn't their cheapest model, but it gives me a huge wifi range something like 100m from my home [it's OK, I don't have any neighbours that close :) ]

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Thanks. overkill for my needs