What happened with ASUS routers this morning? (downtowndougbrown.com)

Article summary

An ASUS router owner experienced repeated internet connection drops and investigated the issue, finding that the router's security daemon was consuming excessive CPU resources. The problem was resolved after updating the firmware. The cause of the issue is unclear, but it may be related to a faulty file downloaded by the security daemon or a vulnerability that was patched in a recent firmware update. Many other users reported similar issues with their ASUS routers.

Main themes

• ASUS router issues
• firmware updates
• security vulnerabilities
• open-source alternatives
• hardware vendor responsibility
• transparency in updates

What commenters say

• Some users believe that the issue was caused by a faulty file downloaded by the security daemon, while others think it may be related to a vulnerability that was patched in a recent firmware update.
• The use of closed-source firmware and automatic updates can be problematic, as it can lead to unexpected behavior and security vulnerabilities.
• Open-source alternatives like OpenWRT can provide more control and stability, but may require more technical expertise to install and maintain.
• The trend of hardware vendors taking responsibility for vulnerabilities in their products is seen as both inevitable and potentially beneficial, but also raises concerns about the potential for remote exploitation.
• Some argue that the lack of transparency in published updates and the use of proprietary drivers can make it difficult to identify and fix issues.
• Others suggest that the use of alternative firmwares like DD-WRT can help avoid such problems, but may not be feasible for all users due to cost and compatibility constraints.