Securing the Router from BruteForce Attacks - MIKROTIK TUTORIAL [ENG SUB]

Summary

This video tutorial on the MikroTik Indonesia YouTube channel provides valuable insights on protecting devices from BruteForce attacks. The presenter explains the significance of using strong and unique username/password combinations, disabling unnecessary services, and configuring MikroTik's firewall to block BruteForce attempts on SSH and Telnet services. Viewers are guided through setting up specific firewall rules to identify and blacklist attackers, preventing unauthorized access. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of security and offers clear, step-by-step instructions, making it an essential resource for MikroTik users aiming to safeguard their devices.

Takeaways

• 😀 BruteForce attacks target devices like routers and servers by attempting multiple combinations of usernames and passwords to gain unauthorized access.
• 😀 To prevent BruteForce attacks, using a unique and hard-to-guess combination of usernames and passwords is essential.
• 😀 Disabling unused services, such as www or telnet, can help minimize exposure to potential BruteForce attacks.
• 😀 RouterOS MikroTik's Firewall feature can be utilized to prevent BruteForce attacks on SSH and Telnet services by creating specific rules.
• 😀 A firewall rule can be set up to limit failed login attempts to a specific threshold (e.g., 3 attempts) and trigger defensive actions when exceeded.
• 😀 Failed login attempts can be monitored and blocked by adding the IP address of the attacker to an Address List blacklist for a specified duration (e.g., 10 days).
• 😀 For SSH services, monitoring failed login attempts requires using the 'New' Connection State parameter to detect and flag potential BruteForce attacks.
• 😀 Firewall rules can be configured to block attackers' IP addresses from accessing specific services like SSH or Telnet after exceeding the failed login limit.
• 😀 Testing the BruteForce prevention setup can be done using tools like ncrack, which allows simulating BruteForce attempts to verify if the configured rules are effective.
• 😀 In conclusion, securing a router from BruteForce attacks involves using unique login credentials, disabling unnecessary services, and setting up proper firewall rules to block attackers.

Q & A

What is a BruteForce attack?

A BruteForce attack is an attempt to gain unauthorized access to devices, such as routers or servers, by trying all possible combinations of commonly used usernames and passwords.

Why is it important to use a unique username and password combination?

Using a unique username and password combination makes it harder for attackers to guess or crack them, reducing the risk of a successful BruteForce attack.

How does disabling unused services help in preventing BruteForce attacks?

Disabling unused services such as WWW or Telnet reduces the attack surface, making it less likely for attackers to target those services, thus enhancing security.

What role does the Firewall play in preventing BruteForce attacks?

The Firewall in MikroTik RouterOS can block specific attack methods by filtering out suspicious activity, such as repeated failed login attempts, and adding attackers to a blacklist.

What is the significance of the 'Content' parameter in MikroTik firewall rules?

The 'Content' parameter helps to capture specific messages sent by the router, such as 'Login Failed' or 'Incorrect username or password', which are then used to identify potential BruteForce attempts.

How does limiting the number of login attempts work in preventing BruteForce attacks?

By limiting the number of allowed login attempts within a specified time frame, attackers are prevented from trying an unlimited number of password combinations in a short period, thereby stopping brute force attacks.

What does the 'Dst. Address List' option do in MikroTik's firewall rules?

The 'Dst. Address List' option allows you to add IP addresses that are identified as potential attackers to a blacklist, effectively blocking them from accessing the router or service for a specified period.

How does the MikroTik RouterOS differentiate between legitimate users and BruteForce attackers?

MikroTik RouterOS uses parameters like 'Connection State' and the number of failed login attempts to distinguish between legitimate users and attackers, marking frequent failed attempts as a BruteForce attack.

What is the purpose of the 'Action = accept' setting in MikroTik's firewall rules?

The 'Action = accept' setting allows legitimate traffic to pass through the firewall rule, while blocking suspicious or malicious traffic based on the configured conditions.

What is the benefit of using the 'ncrack' tool in testing BruteForce defenses?

The 'ncrack' tool helps simulate BruteForce attacks to test the effectiveness of security measures, such as firewall rules and login attempt limits, ensuring the router can defend against real-world threats.