Netgear now collects Router 'Analytics Data' — How to Disable It
Sunday
May 21, 2017
Wang Wei
thehackernews.com
Is your router collecting data on your network?
Netgear last week pushed out a firmware update for its wireless router model NightHawk R7000 with a remote data collection feature that collects router's analytics data and sends it to the company's server.
For now, the company has rolled out the firmware update for its NightHawk R7000, but probably other router models would receive the update in upcoming days.
The Netgear's alleged router analytics data collects information regarding:
Total number of devices connected to the router
IP address
MAC addresses
Serial number
Router's running status
Types of connections
LAN/WAN status
Wi-Fi bands and channels
Technical details about the use and functioning of the router and the WiFi network.
The company said it is collecting the data for routine diagnostic to know how its products are used and how its routers behave.
"Technical data about the functioning and use of our routers and their WiFi network can help us to more quickly isolate and debug general technical issues, improve router features and functionality, and improve the performance and usability of our routers," Netgear said on its website.
How to Disable your Router Analytics Data Collection Feature
But if you are privacy conscious and don't want Netgear to collect details on you, you can disable this feature.
The company has provided an option in the router's configuration panel to turn the router analytics data collection feature off. Follow the instructions:
Launch a web browser from your PC or smartphone that is connected to the network.
Open the router login window by entering
Code:
http://www.routerlogin.net
Type the router username and password. If you haven't changed the default settings, your username is admin, and password is password.
Select Advanced → Administration → Router Update on the Home page.
Scroll down to the Router Analytics Data Collection section and select the Disable button to disable router analytics data collections.
Click the Apply button to save your settings.
That's it. You're done.
