/system safemode /system backup load name=old_config.backup If the router behaves erratically, after 9 minutes safemode will auto-revert. Many admins use a "golden image" backup to deploy dozens of identical routers. However, if that golden image was created on an unpatched router, you are propagating the vulnerability. Here is the secure workflow for a patched MikroTik backup : Step 1: Export, Don't Just Backup Instead of a binary .backup (which can hide malware), use an .rsc (script) file. RSC files are human-readable.
# On a Linux machine (not on the router), use the unbinary tool: /usr/bin/unbinary yourfile.backup | grep -i "script\|add user\|http://" If you see unusual strings like /tmp/runme or suspicious IP addresses, do not restore that backup. When restoring a backup, always enable /system safemode before running: mikrotik backup patched
Routers running software (v7.13 or lower) restored this automatically. Within 24 hours, over 2,000 routers joined a UDP amplification DDoS botnet. /system safemode /system backup load name=old_config