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Netgear Firmware Requires Online Registration

kb.netgear.com

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Re: Netgear Firmware Requires Online Registration

#151

Post by Silhouette »

tiernano wrote: post #148
Silhouette wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I ended up going with Ubiquiti equipment for now, since it was available locally. Sadly, even Ubiquiti gear has recently been criticised for doing the built-in phone home thing.

It can be tuned off, iirc...

I'm a bit out of the loop on Ubiquiti, but IIRC they pushed out an update where telemetry was not optional, and then after the backlash they may have pushed out another one with slightly more configurability.

If you buy professional gear from an organisation that would think that was acceptable in the first place, you might want to re-evaluate your preferred suppliers anyway.

Re: Netgear Firmware Requires Online Registration

#152

Post by Netcob »

duxup wrote: post #32

My new clothes washer has an app. It requires access to location, and phone settings or the app closes by design. I don't think this stuff stops without legislation.

I think any network connectivity related to high-power (2000W or more) household appliances is a big mistake.

Imagine someone hacks their flimsy IoT service and manages to start those 3kW heater elements in hundreds of thousands of washing machines all at once, what that will do to the power grid.

Re: Netgear Firmware Requires Online Registration

#153

Post by Silhouette »

m463 wrote: post #138
zakki wrote: post #86

Why no backlash for iOS and Android? We have to register to use the devices.

I believe you no longer have to register your ios device - but it is a dark pattern. On the screen to enter your apple id, you don't have a "skip" choice, you have to say "don't have one" and I believe then you can skip setting up an apple id. You can use it like a phone at that point - you can send text messages and make calls, but I don't believe you can install any apps. That said - you must go online - turn on ce…

And apple phones home a lot.

I see this sort of claim often, but reliable information about the specifics is hard to come by. Can you share any?

Re: Netgear Firmware Requires Online Registration

#154

Post by MrBuddyCasino »

Pxtl wrote: post #53

I had a Nighthawk router of some persuasion that was so infuriatingly buggy it took years off my life. A bad router is so maddening that the curse "may your brakes work as well as your firmware" repeatedly came to mind. Never again.

Which one? My R7000 works perfectly fine, since years.

Re: Netgear Firmware Requires Online Registration

#155

Post by mason55 »

0xy wrote: post #90
dylz wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When they pushed the firmware, iirc the telemetry was done without notice, opted in and enabled by default, and there was no way to actually opt out until _another firmware update after the uproar_

Ubiquiti has never cared about security, if they did they wouldn't have been scammed for $40,000,000 via a literal scam email. If Ubiquiti staff has the non-existent procedures and corporate security for this to happen, they surely don't care about your privacy or security.

So what is the alternative nowadays?

Re: Netgear Firmware Requires Online Registration

#157

Post by dunham »

ksec wrote: post #84
jchw wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I ran into a similar issue with a Linksys consumer router. Needless to say, that was back in the box and to the retailer in a new york minute. I ended up going with Ubiquiti equipment for now, since it was available locally. Much more expensive and complicated but Linksys convinced me it was worth any cost to get the hell away from them. But I will definitely be looking into the Turris Omnia, pfSense devices, and may…

Which is why I really really want Apple to come back to the Router Market. I miss my Airport Extreme.

I’ve still got mine. I should replace it with something newer, but I’m not sure what, if anything, is safe and secure.

Re: Netgear Firmware Requires Online Registration

#158

Post by dunham »

bbx wrote: post #98
m463 wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is becoming the dark-pattern-du-jour. I get this with videoconferencing too (webex, teams), where the app starts downloading and the ability to do what you want (use the browser) is hidden or delayed until you've failed.

I noticed that too. A few weeks ago, clicking on a Zoom link in your browser would trigger an automatic download of the app installer (which I don’t want). The webpage would still display an “or launch in the browser” link. But yesterday I noticed the link was gone, thinking the only option was to install the app (which I still don’t want). But it turns out the browser link appears after a 5-second delay. I wonder ho…

I didn’t know there was a web mode. I’ve been using my iPad for zoom, because it’s the only way I could think of to sandbox it.

Re: Netgear Firmware Requires Online Registration

#159

Post by 60Vhipx7b4JL »

I'm an embedded systems student and this makes me sad and angry.

I worked with software update mechanisms and they are an essential part of every IoT product. They are needed to supply the product with security updates and consumers should be trained to allow for automatic updates as maintaining 20 devices is not something your average user will do manually. Or at least to install updates when they come along.

This just fucks the consumer as it includes a massive inconvenience. What's going to happen? They won't install the update as they don't want shit forced down their throat. But the bad taste stays, and instead of installing a risky update on other devices or investing the time researching, the consumers will just keep them at the current software state.

Thanks Netgear for fucking a whole industry.

Re: Netgear Firmware Requires Online Registration

#160

Post by detaro »

userbinator wrote: post #72
duxup wrote: post #32

My new clothes washer has an app. It requires access to location, and phone settings or the app closes by design. I don't think this stuff stops without legislation.

Things like this are why I buy "dumb" equipment, which will remain obedient to you and not the manufacturer. My white goods are all many decades old. Washer and dryer are both entirely computer-free (mechanical controls) and don't even contain a single semiconductor (unless you count the indicator bulbs I replaced with LEDs.) Many people often think the house/life of a software developer is filled with "smart" things…

There is the old joke along the lines of:

Tech enthusiast: Everything in my house is smart.

Tech workers: The most smart device in my house is a printer and I keep a gun next to it in case it makes a weird noise.

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