Submitted via IRC for TheMightyBuzzard
Router hardware has evolved and improved over the years, but its firmware remains stuck in the dark ages when it comes to security, network traffic visibility and control. Recognizing the inherent limitations in popular commercial routers, Untangle set about making a radical new OS for home routers based on its popular, broadly installed and easy-to-use NG Firewall product.
Untangle's NG Firewall will be available to flash onto various router models, beginning with the Asus AC3100 RT AC88U.
"The open source community has known for a long time what router manufacturers are loathe to admit: router firmware is lacking," said Dirk Morris, founder and chief product officer at Untangle. "Projects like DD-WRT have gained traction because of the limitations of the operating systems developed by hardware manufacturers. Firmware has failed to provide adequate security to the modern home, let alone network traffic visibility and shaping. Untangle handles these issues and more."
The biggest challenge facing home networks isn't necessarily even security: it's the lack of visibility into and control over the traffic. Unlike commercial firmware on today's home Wi-Fi routers, Untangle NG Firewall logs traffic for rich, robust reporting into every facet of what's happening online: sites the kids are visiting, neighbors jumping on the wireless network, and the newest IP-enabled gadget phoning home.
Source: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2016/08/05/new-home-router-os/
(Score: 4, Insightful) by driven on Sunday August 07 2016, @10:05PM
I want my router to block Smart TV spying. More and more devices will be spying on us (not the least of which is Windows 10, not that I use it personally) - I hope to see anti-spying features implemented in an easy to use manner.
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Sunday August 07 2016, @11:53PM
Tv calls home. No reply. Tv stops working.
Will be the same for many devices..
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 08 2016, @12:18AM
I think that is a mostly cynical comment. Not in the best interests of the TV makers, internet goes down and your TV stops working? Class action lawsuit right there.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 08 2016, @12:37AM
> Tv calls home. No reply. Tv stops working.
> Will be the same for many devices..
Hopefully not in my lifetime! Can I hold out for another 30+ years or will the "internet of things that suck"* take over before then?
* Credit to the Soylentil who coined this one.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 08 2016, @01:29AM
TV never gets connected to the internet. TV doesn't work. TV goes back to shop for full refund.
This is Oz. We have customer protection laws. We don't put up with that shit.
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Monday August 08 2016, @03:24AM
Yes, the "basic" television will work.
Anything else (Connecting a DVD player, or STB, or media hub)? Terms of Service say internet connection is required.. to ensure "compatibility" and "the best possible experience"
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 10 2016, @09:14PM
It's a sale of a device. "Terms of Service", whatever they may be and even if they applied, do not override the law.
Can't connect a DVD or STB ? The device is clearly faulty. Full refund.
Actually, I don't expect such a device would be sold here in the first place. The stores aren't stupid and the law makes them directly responsible for what they sell.
There is no "you have to deal with the manufacturer" or RMA bullshit here for customers. You take it back to the store and they have to fix, replace, or refund.
(Score: 2) by Fnord666 on Monday August 08 2016, @03:07AM
Tv calls home. No reply. Tv stops working.
Will be the same for many devices..
Hopefully the response is something simple that a local server can reply with when pinged.
(Score: 2) by maxwell demon on Monday August 08 2016, @05:50AM
It's trivial to make that impossible. For example: TV sends random number. Server cryptographically signs random number and sends it back. TV verifies that the returned message contains the same random number. TV checks signature.
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 2) by Fnord666 on Tuesday August 09 2016, @01:36PM
It's trivial to make that impossible. For example: TV sends random number. Server cryptographically signs random number and sends it back. TV verifies that the returned message contains the same random number. TV checks signature.
True but here's to hoping that they are too lazy to even go to that much trouble.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 08 2016, @12:54AM
> Windows 10
The fortune on this page says "It is impossible to defend perfectly against the attack of those who want to die."