this post was submitted on 30 May 2024
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ASUS rolled out an update to its firmware (3.0.0.6.102_34791) that now requires users to be over the age of 16 and to send a slew of metrics and data back to ASUS. If you do not agree or do not check the box to verify you are 16y or older, you cannot use the router. At this time, I’m not sure if ASUS has meant to disable the router for anyone under 16 or if it’s a bug.

You can opt out at any time but lose access to a slew of features:

Please note that users are required to agree to share their information before using DDNS, Remote Connection (ASUS Router APP, Lyra APP. AiCloud, AiDisk), AiProtection, Traffic analyzer, Apps analyzer, Adaptive QoS, Game Boost and Web history. At any time, users can search the contents of the terms at this page or stop sharing their information with other parties by choosing Withdraw.

Moreover, ASUS disables automatic firmware updates and worse, all security upgrades unless you opt into the data sharing. Security upgrades perform the following:

Security upgrade incorporates security measures that continuously update its security file and scans to protect against malware, malicious scripts, and emerging threats in order to secure the router and ensure system stability. Some upgrades addressing important security issues or meeting legal/regulatory requirements will still be downloaded and installed automatically, even if "Security Upgrade" is turned off.

Edit: I have personally contacted their CEO's office, but if others would like to voice their disapproval as well, here is a link: https://www.asus.com/us/support/article/787/

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

This is why I never used to recommend Merlin WRT.

The ones you should look into are OpenWRT (my favourite), DD-WRT, tools like OPNSense or the more sophisticated Ubiquiti.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 6 months ago

THE YEAR OF OPENWRT!

/s not /s

[–] [email protected] 8 points 6 months ago

Good thing openWRT works on those

[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 months ago (6 children)

The data sharing persists even with merlin. I get a prompt about it as soon as I tried to enable those advanced features. I still get updates though.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 months ago (4 children)

Should I need a new motherboard, which vendor would you guys recommend that's not crap (as a company)? Gigabyte? GamersNexus had a few very negative reports on MSI as well.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago

IMO, ASRock.

Considering that they're probably the only mobo manufacturer that officially supports using consumer AM4 CPUs on a server (see ASRock Rack), and always supported ECC ram on all AM4 motherboards - and that I haven't had anything negative happen with any of their products so far (at work) - I personally would choose ASRock next.

Haven't had the chance to try them for AM5 yet, sadly.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago

Fantastic. Time to deliver opnsense and/or pfsense to the masses. Or better, recycle a router with openwrt or similar

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago (2 children)

All you need is Protectli with OPNsense and cheap TP-Link in AP mode.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago

I just write letters to the websites I interact with. I get a good deal on stamps.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (8 children)

I guess I'm not updating my routers anymore then. Sucks though. It seemed to be the only Asus product that wasn't garbage.

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