I connect my computers to the Internet using a Mercury brand router. This plugs directly into the wall with an ethernet cable. A modem is not needed, as best as I know. Near my apartment is a closet with the network switch. I assume my Internet cable goes directly to that.

Recently, my Internet connection has strange problems with SSL sites always failing to establish secure connections. Other residents in my building had no such problem.

So, I went to the IP address which I usually use to configure the Mercury router. Instead, this asks me for the password to a FAST brand VPN router. From pictures on-line, I see that this is one of the small consumer routers designed to sit on a shelf, and has two WIFI antenaes. Most of the other newer residents received one of these for free when they moved in, but I don't have one in my apartment.

Why is the IP address for the Web-based Mercuriy configuration tool going to another device? Is that normal to place a router somewhere inside the walls before the Internet plugs directly into the network switch? Is this a sign that my router or some part of the Internet connection has been hacked?

Most probable explanation is a software update in the building. I wouldn't start worrying about hacking - yet.

Do you mean, they sent a software update to all of the FAST brand routers, and my Mercury router's software was mistakenly overwritten with the FAST updates?

To be sure, you should disconnect the router from the Internet, switching-off any wireless etc., connect your computer to the device through a Cat-5 cable, and go directly to the IP address corresponding to the device's maintenance port. The password and so-forth should be exactly as you left it.

You don't make it clear what "the IP address that you use" ... is. I would expect it to be a local-only "127.x.x.x" address which, most likely, should be configured so that it can only be accessed by a Cat-5 cable connection from your computer.

Routinely check the manufacturer's web site to see if software updates have been published for the model that you own, and install them immediately.

I didn't specify the IP address, because I'm concerned it might be dangerous to list that address on a public forum. It begins with "192.x.x.x".

I found that connecting directly to the wall doesn't connect me to this FAST device.

And I pressed the reset button on my router and the issue disappeared right away and now I can configure it using this IP address.

192.168.x.x is a non-routable address - many (most ?) home routers use addresses in this range.
I'd say one of your neighbours got a new router with the same address as you use (or reset it), and you got connected to that (via wifi) accidentally. Best to connect by SSN (name) rather than ip address, and use a cat5 cable to do the config, rather than wifi.

No, I am not connected with Wifi, but connected with the cable. I don't even have the Wifi drivers and software installed, and when I unplug the wire, the Internet stops working.

Just factory reset it altogether

Ensure facts, getting right you should.
Else no basis you have, to draw conclusions on.
Don't assume but ensure.


Cable and xDSL require a modem. Providers often ship a single device acting as modem / router.


Have the equipment inspected instead?


Explain with examples how it fails and use verbose 'cURL' output ('curl -vIL https://some/site;') to illustrate?