My Tech Adventures

Hi! Security Alert: This router has been found vulnerable to Mirai worm. Here are some steps to try to prevent such attacks (disconnect the 'internet' cable and reboot first just in case): 1. Change default admin password if you haven't done so (Change via Console is preferred) 2. Disable Remote Management (may prevent future updates though ... manual update would be needed if new firmware is released) 3. Remove additional users from config file (Advanced) - Save the current router configuration via Maintenance tab from Advanced GUI to a PC - Edit the config file for "Account" section and remove the extra users apart from admin by deleting the Entry1 and Entry2 sub-sections Note: One can also change the default password for the admin user here if not already changed. Be sure to change the console password as well! <Account> <Entry0 username="admin" web_passwd="admin"

Hello Again! I wanted to write up this post a lot earlier, but, it got delayed somehow. Here it is now: The BT Home Hub 3.0 Type A originally from (Siemens) Gigaset seems to be a nice router given the specifications as shown on the OpenWrt Wiki page . However, it also does not accept username(s) without the allowed domains (like @btbroadband.com, @btinternet.com, @btclick.com, ...) making it a "locked" router (unless your ISP doesn't use the username to authenticate). Fortunately, it can be "unlocked" in a similar manner to the BT Home Hub 2.0 Type B  to accept any username and allow usage with other ISPs after its "retirement". Firmware Unlock: The guide as posted on now-defunct psidoc.com, relevant files and some firmware images are available here! Here is a video showing the process: Note: Video best viewed fullscreen in 1080p! Tweaks after Unlock: With SSH access, we can tweak some settings of the rout

Hi! BT Home Hub 2.0B on the left and the BT Infinity Home Hub 2.0B on the right! Next up is the Home Hub 2.0 Type B router alongwith the Infinity Home Hub 2.0 Type B that is necessarily the same hardware as the first one but with different firmware and markings. It is quite a nice router from Siemens (some are 'Made in Germany' and some 'Made in Tunisia') and is one of my favourites. The openwrt wiki page provides all the details of the hardware. Unfortunately, the firmware prevents usage with other ISPs and as shown above in pictures some are found 'dumped' here in Pakistan in an unused condition so it is great that there is a method to 'unlock' these routers. Firmware Unlock: For the unlock of Home Hub 2.0 Type B as provided by the now defunct psidoc.com website: Note: The Infinity hub can accept firmware for the non-infinity normal hub and can be unlocked in such a manner! Then, one can re-flash the infinity hub with

Hello Again! This router ( User Manual , openwrt wiki ) is also found 'dumped' here in Pakistan. It is quite a good router, but, older firmware versions suffer from security flaws, so it's a good idea to use newer firmware (or to let it update automatically). Also, this router doesn't allow usage with other ISPs as it accepts only certain domain names for the 'username' setting, though it runs fine with services that don't care for the username and when configured as a Wireless Router (IPoE) with LAN port 4 used as the WAN port. However, there are some ways to use the username of our own choice. One such way is shown below thanks to http://www.the-scream.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=242301#post242301 : (To be continued...)

Hello Again! O2 Wireless Box III Note: I have put up stickers to cover the DSL port and mark the Ethernet port to use as WAN port O2 Wireless Box IV Next to a (relatively) generic model! This time it's the turn of 2 routers, the O2 Wireless Box III ( specifications , firmware ) and the O2 Wireless Box IV ( manual , firmware , openwrt ), both being locked to O2 as usual. Now, one may use jtag to try to 'unlock' these by replacing and/or editing the CFE in order to flash generic firmware for use with other ISPs but if you are just looking for a wireless router to add to an existing lan network, all it takes is the Configuration Wizard with custom templates (and the SuperUser account credentials). (To continue reading, please click on 'Read More')

Hi! Next we have the locked down version of the Thomson SpeedTouch TG585v7 ( Specifications , wikidevi ) router in the form of O2 Wireless Box II. Fortunately, one can install (compatible) firmware (apart from changing CFE via jTAG) by BE that is much closer to generic firmware allowing the router to be configured easily for other ISPs (and not only other ISPs, but, can also be configured differently such as a Wireless Router with one LAN port acting as WAN port and more). Here are some pictures of the router itself: Firmware Update: (To continue reading, please click on 'Read More')