Melita ‘firmly rejects any claims’ on unsafe modems in evasive reaction

On Wednesday, NEWZ.mt reported a severe security issue in Melita modems, as the provider regularly resets their admin interface login to factory settings.

These regular resets allows any expert user who has been granted or otherwise gained access to a Melita home network to also easily access hardware settings.

Modem settings could then be manipulated by simply using ‘admin’ and ‘password’, even if an advanced network owner previously changed these login credentials for increased security – unaware of Melita’s regular remote resets.

Melita ‘firmly rejects claims’

On Wednesday evening, Melita issued what it called a ‘Right of Reply’, a legal tool actually designed for individuals to contradict misrepresentation or defamation.

For this and further formal reasons, NEWZ.mt immediately rejected to publish in full and uncommented what is in fact a normal corporate statement.

The company first explained the security of the Wi-Fi networks broadcast by its modems, stating that their default passwords ensured a “robust level of security”.

Melita also felt the need to point out that the password referred to in our article is “the equipment default administrative password used to access the modem settings”. That’s what we had actually explained in a more consumer-friendly language.

While further stating the obvious – that Melita takes security “very seriously” – the company has so far failed to give an explanation as to why it regularly resets ARRIS modem passwords when other internet service providers don’t.

The security issue uncovered by NEWZ.mt is of particular concern as typical private internet users neither configure their modems nor make a distinction between personal and guest access.

Melita statement (PDF)

Cover Image: Freepik