Router requiring a security exception in the browser to proceed

rivre · 11 Mar 2019

All of a sudden since last week I cannot access my Verizon FiOS router without making a security exception. When I go to myfiosgateway.com/#/login, or 192.168.1.1, I get the following:

"Verizon takes your privacy and internet security seriously. To better ensure security, Your router is automatically being redirected to https://myfiosgateway.com. The redirected site is protected with a self-signed certificate, and your internet browser will prompt you with a security warning to accept the router's self-signed certificate before proceeding. This is a standard prompt for any self-signed certificate to help ensure the security of your internet connection."
From there, I have to hit proceed, then add a security exception in my browser, to proceed to the router.

Why is this happening all of a sudden? I tried turning off the router and back on, but it still does it.

Caledon Ken · 12 Mar 2019

You will have to call Verizon and ask them about this.

Actually it sounds like a good thing. Sounds like Verizon is deploying something to prevent unauthorized access to router.

So many people do not change the default user name and password and the bad people are taking advantage of this. Once in your router the war is lost.

See what Verizon has to say. They may even have a way to shut off but if it added another layer of security I would leave it.

rivre · 12 Mar 2019

Well yeah, if it's a new, added layer of security, I'd prefer to leave it alone. I just want to make sure nothing is suddenly "wrong" with the router.

Caledon Ken · 12 Mar 2019

Please call Verizon and if you don't mine report back. I'm interested in this although I change default passwords on everything.

A lesson I learned from audits of data centres. The auditors would always catch a device with the default password on it either in the network or the server farm.

rivre · 12 Mar 2019

I called Verizon and unsurprisingly they weren't much help. They weren't sure why that started redirecting. They had me reset my router. It still does the same thing. She suggested maybe a recent update or change with my antivirus (AVG) affected the certificate. She said the router thinks I'm not connecting securely to the router which is why I need to make an exception. Whatever. It works once I make the temporary exception. No idea what changed. It would be nice if tech support was actually helpful for once.

Caledon Ken · 12 Mar 2019

Interesting. Does this happen on multiple browsers?

Did you by chance install any new extensions like https everywhere?

rivre · 12 Mar 2019

Firefox and Chrome. I do have HTTPS everywhere installed as an add-on but it's been there all along and hasn't been an issue previously. No new add-ons lately.

Caledon Ken · 13 Mar 2019

Have you tried clearing browsing history in one of those browser and trying again.

Well as Verizon thinks it is AVG would you consider uninstalling and testing?

rivre · 13 Mar 2019

They don't think it's AVG. They just randomly threw out the suggestion that maybe it's a Windows update or an antivirus or something that's the issue, but as I said, I've had AVG all along and there has not been an issue up until last week.

Yes, I've cleared all history, cookies, etc., even used ccleaner. Nothing makes any difference. I've also tried temporarily disabling AVG.

Caledon Ken · 13 Mar 2019

I would go a step further, uninstall AVG. I hear you that you've had it but I would try.