Analyzing Incoming Connections in Your Wireless Router Logs
When examining the incoming connection log from your Linksys E1000 wireless router, you may come across some unfamiliar entries that raise questions. In this article, we will explore how to interpret these connections and understand their significance.
Understanding the Entries
Typically, your router logs only store a limited amount of information, often a few hundred or thousand entries at most. Unfortunately, there isn’t a specific way to determine the exact duration for which these logs are stored. To gain more control over your router logs, you can consider using open-source router firmware like Tomato or DD-WRT.
Now, let’s focus on the specific entries you mentioned. One entry appears to be from your friend’s ISP and relates to the port you have configured for your Mumble server. This is a known connection and can be considered safe.
The other two entries are from unknown IPs, one originating from Serbia and the other from an unfamiliar location. In addition, they both reference port 54876. This raises concerns as you have only forwarded the port for Mumble/Murmur on your router. So, what could these entries represent?
Possible Explanations
One possibility is that these entries are the result of outgoing connections. When you connect to a web server or any other server, your end randomly selects a connecting port. This could explain the unfamiliar IPs and port numbers.
Another possibility is that these entries could be the result of scanning activities, such as port scanning. Large groups of botnets often scan ports and IPs randomly to avoid detection. Over time, you may observe numerous IP addresses attempting to connect to different unused ports.
It’s important to note that with the limited information provided, it’s difficult to determine the exact nature of these connections. If you have any concerns about the security of your network, it’s recommended to consult with a network security professional or consider implementing additional security measures.