Netgear Adds Support For "Collecting Analytics Data" To Popular R7000 Router

An anonymous reader writes: Netgear's latest firmware update for the R7000 includes new support for collecting analytics data. The update release notes include this caution:

NOTE:It is strongly recommended that after the firmware is updated to this version, log back in to the router s web GUI and configure the settings for this feature.

An article on Netgear's KB states updated last week that Netgear collects information including IP addresses, MAC, certain WiFi information, and information about connected devices.

Comments

Wow!

[Anonymous Coward]

I guess it is time to switch to a different brand.

Clarification: Netgear collects your data

[the_other_chewey]

It's not made clear at all in TFS, and could be read as if Netgear routers now supported more network stats available to the router's owner.

That's not it: "Analytics Data" collection is done by Netgear, remotely.

Sounds like a good way to fuck yourself Netgear

[Khyber]

Where is this traffic being sent, DNS and IP-wise? How is the data configured for their systems?

Figure these out, and then you could just flood the shit out of their systems with legit-looking bogus data that appears to come from their routers with whatever data you want.

Bonus points if you use this to gain yourself escalated access inside their own network (which wouldn't surprise me given Netgear's security track record.)