Help with selecting home router

I use two Asus Wifi 6e routers in a mesh configuration: RT-AX82U and a RT-AX86S. I have had no issues at all and they perform well and I have had no issues with them crashing or anything - they just work. I have a good number of devices being used by several people
They have updated the microcode regularly with security patches and some functionality improvements.

As for sending data to trend-micro - this needs to be enabled to use enhanced "AIProtection" such as blocking known malicious sites, DDOS protection, and isolating infected devices on your wireless LAN. Also, with it enabled, you can get statistics on visited sites. (traffic statistics). I have this "AIprotection" disabled unless I need it for some diagnostic. It doesn't affect the functionality of the routers.

"AIprotection" will send traffic statistics to trend-micro which can be sensitive. Here is a link to the description of the feature:


And here is the trend-micro global privacy notice


And their personal data collection disclosure

I currently use an RT-BE88U
I also have 2 in an AI Mesh: RT-AC68U, DSL-AX82U and none of the 3 have Trend turned on.

The one time I tried it (I always buy ASUS) it caused trouble with a cloud storage setup. I couldn't download anything from that site.
They told me to disable Trend in my Router, which fixed the issue.

I like: Orbi Mesh WiFi For Reliable Whole Home Coverage - NETGEAR

What I love about Asus routers is that as long as it is even remotely modern (model does not matter), they can be used to build a mesh. No more throwing away old routers.

SlicEnDicE said:

What I love about Asus routers is that as long as it is even remotely modern (model does not matter), they can be used to build a mesh. No more throwing away old routers.

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And you can mix and match them with no issue in my limited experience.

idgat said:

What do you mean by "give away your data"? Why do you think this will happen? What data does it want?

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See the screenshot of the "click to agree" popup. (attached0

What data does it want? I don't know, and I don't think it matters. By clicking "I agree" to the popup, I give up certain rights. It really doesn't matter what data they claim they will or won't collect.. they WILL collect whatever they can and whatever they want, regardless of what the agreement statement claims.
For what it's worth, while there have been data collection lawsuits and penalties, none of them (as far as I can find in the USA), are related to a violation after a user clicked "I agree". There are none because there are no laws regarding such agreements.

There seems to be a data tracking trend in these products these days.
Examples: 1) Purchased a FitBit, then discovered that in order to do anything useful with it, I needed to open an online account with Fitbit. The unit functioned at the basic level, but would not perform all of the functions advertised on the box unless I opened an account and logged into Fitbit dot com or whatever.
2) When I investigated a home energy monitor, I found several dozen product offerings.. They're made by companies with names like Sense, Emporia, etc. All but two very obscure brands require an online account for the unit to upload all your data. They won't even work correctly without the account.

Did you know that when you sign the purchase agreement for a new car, the "I agree" statements compile to about 400+ pages of text? And that agreement allows for the sale of data from where and when you travel, to your sex life if they get access to it. Imagine all the other things they can collect about you. They record, collect, retain, and sell, the data related to your travel and your driving behaviors like how fast you accelerate or break, when and where you fill the fuel tank, where you go, when you go, etc. Everything. Profiles are then built and you are linked to others..

But I thought a router would be different since it is a security device in itself. So much for that wishful thinking.

I didn't click the agree so I still have some rights.. although I'm not clear on what those are.

I think I've exhausted my contribution here, bit too "tin-foil hatty" for me

Absolutely obviously an opt-out/work-around possibility for the OP, but who probably can't (or doesn't want to, for whatever reason) see that opportunity

idgat said:

I think I've exhausted my contribution here, bit too "tin-foil hatty" for me

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Some people are indifferent to the invasive and costly data collection concerns. I don't understand why, but it's not tin-foil hatty.. Such comments imply conspiracy theory nonsense.

Anyhow, there does not seem to be a way to get around ASUS's collection if I want to use any of the more advanced router functions.

When you drive your car on the public road you agree to put on your seatbelt (except in New Hampshire) but when you surf your Asus router on the internet you don't have to put on your AiProtection. Aggrieving, isn't it?

Asus account is not required with both App or WebUI setup.

Data sharing to Asus is required for:

• Firmware Updates
• Asus App
• Asus DDNS
• Remote Connection
• AiCloud
• AiDisk

Data sharing to Trend Micro is required for popular firmware features. Without it the following will not work:

• AiProtection
• Traffic Analyzer
• Apps Analyzer
• Web & Apps Filters (Parental Controls)
• Adaptive QoS & Game Boost
• Web History

However, modern routers from Asus have plenty of other, really very useful features. For example, AiMesh 2.0 can be enabled/disabled regardless of whether you use the Wi-Fi system in router mode (the default mode) or in Access Point mode (AP mode). Switching to AP mode with AiMesh 2.0 turned on allows you to avoid Double NAT when you insert a separate router (e.g., enterprise-grade hardware or a DIY-based solution like VyOS, pfSense, OPNsense, IPFire, etc.) between your ISP modem/gateway and the Wi-Fi mesh system from Asus.

That said, aside from being able to mix multiple different router models from Asus together to create a single mesh setup, being able to choose the wired backhaul option is one of my big favorites with AiMesh 2.0. (Unlike a wireless backhaul, a wired backhaul neither adds nor is susceptible to wireless interference anywhere in the setup.) Another one is that I am getting better range, signal strength, coverage, stability, and performance with just 2 nodes when compared to much more expensive mesh setups from "competing" brands with 3 units (one base station/unit, 2 satellite units). Also, when I use the Asus router app on my phone to upgrade the mesh system's firmware, it automatically upgrades the firmware in both nodes at once.

The bottom line is that you don't even have to install the Asuswrt-Merlin firmware to get a whole plethora of interesting features that truly set Asus routers apart from most (or all) other popular brands in the same price range—and sometimes even far beyond the same price range especially if you understand what to look for and why.

It was time to upgrade my old linksys router. Received the Asus ZenwiFi AX today. Appears to be a good choice for my setup. Will setup tomorrow and maybe provide a bit more info.

maybe step up to something like this?

MachineLanguage said:

It was time to upgrade my old linksys router. Received the Asus ZenwiFi AX today. Appears to be a good choice for my setup. Will setup tomorrow and maybe provide a bit more info.

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I don't know how much you paid for the ZenWiFi XT8, but: Amazon.com

Murby said:

Anyhow, there does not seem to be a way to get around ASUS's collection if I want to use any of the more advanced router functions.

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I think the problem is your lack of understanding re the router.

You’re not missing out on any security features like the router firewall, unless you include the Bloatware Trend Micro Software, that’s all the AI does, is turn Trend on.

The router has a firewall and security settings
Your PC has antivirus and a firewall
Trend Micro in the router, I consider to be bloatware or at the least, overkill.

Murby said:

Hello,
I am looking for information on which home router to purchase. I had a Netgear unit but it was outdated as it was a standard 10/100 unit.. So I upgraded to an ASUS RT-AC88U and it was a horrible choice. Apparently, in order to make use of most of the router's features, I have to agree to let Trend Micro spy on me. WTF?? I also have an ASUS motherboard on my PC and it's glitchy too.. I will never ever purchase an ASUS product ever again.

So onto google to find a good router and it has become apparent that google is flooded with crap links, most of which are just marketing and sales dressed up to look like a review or opinion article.

Does anyone make a router that is secure? One that isn't going to spy on me or force me to give out my private data to a 3rd party? I still can't get over the fact that ASUS wants me to give Trend Micro my data.. I'm floored by that. I even went so far as to write ASUS a nasty email letting them know I will never ever purchase another ASUS product..

As I've gotten older, it has become clear that as one company does something nasty and gets away with it, other brands will follow.. and I'm assuming the router issue isn't any different.. or am I wrong?

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What do you mean with "ASUS motherboard on my PC and it's glitchy too"?

I'm using a Asus motherboard and router and it works good so far. Planning more upgrades with Asus products.

Anyone using the traffic analyzer in the Asus router? Seems kind of pointless.

antspants said:

I think the problem is your lack of understanding re the router.

You’re not missing out on any security features like the router firewall, unless you include the Bloatware Trend Micro Software, that’s all the AI does, is turn Trend on.

The router has a firewall and security settings
Your PC has antivirus and a firewall
Trend Micro in the router, I consider to be bloatware or at the least, overkill.

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Looking at the traffic and bandwidth requires agreement to allow trend/asus to collect my data. Why would a router need to communicate to a third party for those features? I don't want or use the AI security feature, but I would like to look at traffic and bandwidth. I would also like to use the parental control feature, but that requires trend/asus collection.

There is no legitimate reason (that I can think of) why my router would need to send data outside for these features to work. I understand the AI needing it, but not the traffic, bandwidth and parental features.

user1010 said:

What do you mean with "ASUS motherboard on my PC and it's glitchy too"?

I'm using a Asus motherboard and router and it works good so far. Planning more upgrades with Asus products.

Anyone using the traffic analyzer in the Asus router? Seems kind of pointless.

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The first glitch that comes to mind is that when I set my bios to fast boot, the F10 button stopped working to access bios. There is no way to access the bios settings when in superfast boot mode.. you have to go through windows troubleshooting in order to do it, which requires extra reboots.

user1010 said:

What do you mean with "ASUS motherboard on my PC and it's glitchy too"?

I'm using a Asus motherboard and router and it works good so far. Planning more upgrades with Asus products.

Anyone using the traffic analyzer in the Asus router? Seems kind of pointless.

Click to expand...

Before I updated my router's firmware, I was able to use it without agreeing to anything.

I used it to basically spy on my child's computer use. The schools at her age group, are using google classroom, which itself is collecting and storing every bit of data on these kids. Of more concern, is that the school is giving these kids "digital arts" homework.. IE: teaching them to draw, make animations, etc.

Stupid doesn't even begin to describe how useless and time wasting that is. They should be teaching them mathematics, science, etc.. Heck, even philosophy would be a good subject.. But what the schools are doing is addicting these kids to staring at computer monitors instead of playing outside like kids are supposed to.
My child has free roam of over 100 acres to do whatever.. nope, just wants to stare at the computer screen because the schools are addicting them to it.

So I use the traffic monitor to watch some of what's going on and to limit computer time.

Heck, just go and try to find a parental control software package to install... WTF? Every one of them requires an agreement for data collection that results in a privacy nightmare.

By the way, did you know that if you allow a school issued student computer into your home, the school can turn on the camera and speakers whenever they want? It's their device, they have legal control over it.

Murby said:

The first glitch that comes to mind is that when I set my bios to fast boot, the F10 button stopped working to access bios.

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Asus uses either Delete key or F2 to enter bios.

Murby said:

first glitch that comes to mind is that when I set my bios to fast boot, the F10 button stopped working to access bios

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RTFM!

ASUS boot keys for the BIOS are F9 (desktops) or F2/F9/Del (laptops, depending on the model) or F2 (netbook)

ASUS boot keys for the boot menu are F8 (desktop) or F8 (laptops, Esc for the R503C) or Esc (netbook)

... unless you've changed the motherboard??

KevTech said:

Asus uses either Delete key or F2 to enter bios.

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I tried them all.. Delete, F2, F8, F9, F12, Esc, and a few others.. You can google it, I'm not the only one complaining about the issue.