BGP Hijacking: How Routing Gets Weaponized

Have you ever paused to wonder how data from your computer finds its way across the internet to its destination? For most casual users, things “just work,” and packets magically show up in the right place at the right time. But underlying all that magic is a powerful protocol called BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) that internet service providers (ISPs) rely on to route traffic.

When BGP is manipulated, it can leave countless users vulnerable. This is where BGP hijacking enters the picture, turning a behind-the-scenes protocol into a potentially dangerous weapon.

What Is BGP Hijacking, Anyway?

BGP is the agreed-upon “map” that internet routers use to determine the best route for your data. Think of it like a worldwide GPS for networks. Internet backbone routers talk to each other using BGP, exchanging routes so that packets know which path to follow.

BGP hijacking occurs when someone—be it a careless operator or a malicious actor—announces fraudulent routes that misdirect traffic. Suddenly, data headed to Company A’s network might be sent to Attacker B’s network. The consequences can be massive: eavesdropping, rerouting, or even bringing down services.

Why BGP Hijacking Matters—A Lot

Picture your everyday online routines: sending work emails, banking online, or simply browsing the news. None of these tasks are particularly fun to have snooped on or interrupted. But with a successful BGP hijack, attackers might intercept (and read or modify) traffic en route to your favorite website—or your business’s server.

This can lead to anything from stolen credentials to large-scale outages. In other words, if an attacker “owns” the routes, they can do an unsettling amount of damage before anyone notices.

Common Misconceptions About BGP Hijacking

1. “It Only Happens By Accident.”

There’s no denying many hijacks have had accidental origins—maybe an ISP mistyped a routing table entry. But malicious BGP attacks do happen. Sometimes a cybercriminal (or even a state-sponsored actor) intentionally promulgates incorrect routes to steer data for espionage or sabotage.

2. “Big Companies Are the Only Targets.”

While large-scale hijacks targeting well-known companies grab the headlines, smaller organizations and online services aren’t immune. Attackers might hijack routes to or from smaller networks to gather personal data, compromise smaller financial transactions, or disrupt service for political reasons. If your network is connected to the internet, it’s fair game.

3. “The Impact Is Obvious Right Away.”

If you imagine hijacked traffic getting instantly swallowed into a black hole, you’re not alone. But in reality, some hijacks can go unnoticed for days or even weeks—especially if the attackers quietly reroute traffic for espionage instead of causing noisy outages. Security teams might not realize anything’s amiss until suspicious logs or user complaints surface.

Mitigating the Risk

Network owners and ISPs can reduce the odds of a BGP hijack by implementing a few best practices. One tool is RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure), which cryptographically verifies route announcements. Another is route filtering, where ISPs adopt strict rules to confirm that only legitimate routes get advertised.

Coordination and transparency also matter: sharing route information with trusted networks and monitoring suspicious changes go a long way toward thwarting hijacks.

Staying Proactive

If you manage an online service or handle your organization’s network, keep an eye on route anomalies. Make routine checks on your BGP route advertisements and monitor external data sources—there are free services that alert you to unusual routing announcements. And if you’re relying on an ISP to handle such matters, ask what protective measures they have in place. It never hurts to confirm they’re using the latest security methods.

Final Thoughts

BGP hijacking, at its core, is all about misinforming the very roadmap our data relies on. But by understanding how routing can be exploited, supporting industry-wide best practices, and staying vigilant, you’ll be in a far better position to prevent malicious actors from turning internet traffic into their personal playground.

After all, while the average person may never tinker with a BGP router, the impacts of a hijack can affect anyone who ventures online. The more we know, the more we can defend ourselves—and keep that “internet magic” running smoothly.