There is a virus circulating the internet that infects, not your computer, but your router. The advantage of infecting a router is that every computer connected through that router can be attacked. In one scenario, when you browse the internet, the virus in the router redirects that request to a site loaded with viruses and malware in an attempt to infect that computer. A virus in the router can also carry out remote attacks without a computer and thus someone becomes unknowingly becomes part of a botnet. A botnet is a collection of devices connected to the internet which is used to carry out the requests of the botnet owner. These requests are usually to make a coordinated attack on other computers or to send out massive amounts of spam. A botnet is created to make it harder to prosecute someone.

The current virus circulating is called the Chuck Norris virus. It is called this because the code of the virus has a comment in it that says "in the name of Chuck Norris", but in Italian. This virus attacks routers that are based on Linux, such as the Linksys WRT54GL. What it does is attempt to guess the password. This virus can also infect certain D-Link routers. Another router virus is called Psyb0t.

So how do you get rid of this virus? The fix is amazingly simple. Unplug your router and plug it back in. Problem solved. This Chuck Norris virus cannot modify the software used by the routers, so it has to reside in the router's memory. Unplugging the router clears the memory and thus clears the virus. However, expect future router viruses to be able to modify the router's software. In that case, a factory reset should clear the virus. In the worst case scenario, you will have to connect a computer directly to your cable, DSL, or satellite modem and download the latest firmware for the router. Then you will need to connect back to the router and install the firmware. In all situations, the fix is a lot quicker than on a computer.

To protect yourself from such attacks, always change your router's password and never use a simple password. Always secure your Wi-Fi connection with a password. Never assume you are safe. Test your password with Microsoft's strong password checker.