To create an encrypted backup with a strong password, use the following command:
To overcome the challenges associated with MikroTik backup and patching, the following best practices are recommended:
If you script a router to automatically upload a backup to an FTP server every night, but that router is running a buggy, unpatched version of RouterOS, you aren't automating safety; you are automating corruption. Patched firmware ensures that the encryption used to upload these backups (SFTP/FTP over TLS) functions correctly, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks where a backup could be intercepted and altered in transit.
# .gitlab-ci.yml backup-patch: script: - ansible-playbook patch_mikrotiks.yml - python3 verify_patches.py --against ./known_leaked_secrets.txt - ./encrypt_backups.sh --algo AES-256 - aws s3 cp ./patched_backups/ s3://secure-bucket/ --sse
grep -E "password|secret|key|psk|community" pre_patch_audit.rsc
He looked for his .rsc (script) files—the human-readable version of the config. He found one, but it was from before they added the new guest wing.
Turn off API, FTP, and Telnet if they are not actively used. Summary: A Proactive Security Posture
You can also backup your Mikrotik configuration using the CLI:
Based on the vulnerabilities discovered and patched over the years, here are recommended best practices for protecting your MikroTik backups:
Regular backups of your MikroTik configuration are essential for several reasons: