Does RMerlin run Trend on his routers?

[martinr]

On updating to 351 on my RT-AC68U, I noticed the Trend stuff on the AI Protection page.

Amongst other info, I've read about it here:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/trend-deep-security-consumer-routers.369125/

but I'm not a great deal wiser at the end of it.
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/trend-deep-security-consumer-routers.369125/
I'm aware of the concept of security in layers, but even assuming the developers are trustworthy, each security application is also a possible future source of vulnerability, never mind any performance implications.

I could ask what people think about the virtues of the new Trend protection, and probably trigger a long heated, inconclusive debate. But all I really need to know is: does RMerlin run it on his kit (and would it put him on the spot to disclose such info)?

Martin

 

[VANT]

AsusWRT-Merlin use Trend DPI engine like AsusWRT

 

[RMerlin]

If you mean wether I use it at home, I keep most of its features disabled simply because I have no need for them. I'm the only network user, so I have no need for QoS (which I did use for a few weeks, to test it back then). Malicious website is disabled (there's already my browser and my desktop security software doing this function, I'm not at risk enough to warrant validating all visited sites against a third different source). If I had any kids however, I'd sure keep it enabled.

I have the Apps Analysis and Vulnerability Protection enabled.

Trend Micro is a fairly good name in this domain. Most of my corporate customers have been using their security suites for years, and I nearly never get any of these customers contacting me with malware issues. I might have gotten maybe 2 or 3 cases (mostly adware) in the past 10 years with all these specific customers. Can't say the same with my home customers using Norton/AVG/Kaspersky/you_name_it.

 

[martinr]

If you mean wether I use it at home, I keep most of its features disabled simply because I have no need for them. I'm the only network user, so I have no need for QoS (which I did use for a few weeks, to test it back then). Malicious website is disabled (there's already my browser and my desktop security software doing this function, I'm not at risk enough to warrant validating all visited sites against a third different source). If I had any kids however, I'd sure keep it enabled.

I have the Apps Analysis and Vulnerability Protection enabled.

Trend Micro is a fairly good name in this domain. Most of my corporate customers have been using their security suites for years, and I nearly never get any of these customers contacting me with malware issues. I might have gotten maybe 2 or 3 cases (mostly adware) in the past 10 years with all these specific customers. Can't say the same with my home customers using Norton/AVG/Kaspersky/you_name_it.

Many thanks, Merlin. Yes, I didn't express myself very well; I did mean if you used it at home. Your answer has informed me better than many hours of reading could have done. Sincere thanks, once again.

Marin

 

[RMerlin]

When Asus publicly announced the RT-AC87U, I said at the time that, in my personal opinion, the Trend Micro DPI engine was the most exciting feature of this new router - well above the 4x4 or MU-MIMO (future) capabilities. There's all the security features associated to the DPI engine, but its use for QoS was also a very nice addition.

Adaptive QoS means that for many users you don't even need to know anything about ports and MAC addresses - you turn it on, perhaps drag around a few priorities if you really want to, and it just works out of the box. At the time, I tested it by running a torrent at full speed, starting a Speedtest from speedtest.net which ran at its full speed while the torrent automatically dropped to a trickle, and once the speedtest ended the torrent went back to full speed.

 

[kitsura]

I think Asus is slowing turning it's routers into a UTM appliance aka Fortinet. No SME or corporates would use them but it's a value proposition for mom and pop businesses or enthusiast home users.

 

[RMerlin]

I think Asus is slowing turning it's routers into a UTM appliance aka Fortinet. No SME or corporates would use them but it's a value proposition for mom and pop businesses or enthusiast home users.

Router manufacturer need something to distinguish themselves from the competition, as everyone is using the same wireless SoCs anyway, so wireless performance is the same within a relative margin of error. So expect more added features like this to appear in the coming years: advanced QoS, VPN, security features, home automation integration, storage-related features...

 

[waffles]

From what I have gathered thus far is that having the Trend Micro DPI engine on one's router is very beneficial and recommended from a security perspective. I also understand that it comes standard in the AC87.

However, here is where I am unclear: from this Trend Micro press release the AC56 should have also gotten this feature in 2014. I skimmed through Merlin's release notes, but could not find any reference to it - only for the AC87 and AC68. So my question is, if the feature is not included or if not, is it still planned to be added.

Last but not least, does it have to be activated and if so, how?

Thanks!

 

[RMerlin]

From what I have gathered thus far is that having the Trend Micro DPI engine on one's router is very beneficial and recommended from a security perspective. I also understand that it comes standard in the AC87.

However, here is where I am unclear: from this Trend Micro press release the AC56 should have also gotten this feature in 2014. I skimmed through Merlin's release notes, but could not find any reference to it - only for the AC87 and AC68. So my question is, if the feature is not included or if not, is it still planned to be added.

Asus added it a few weeks ago in firmware 3.0.0.4.378.4376, which is available on their support site.

I don't have updated GPL code yet, so for now I can only offer it as an experimental build, by reusing the wireless driver from the RT-AC68U.

Last but not least, does it have to be activated and if so, how?

All related features can be found under AiProtection.

 

[waffles]

Thanks, Merlin,

I much prefer and appreciate your stable firmwares over the ASUS stock ones.
Wireless seems to be a real winner (robustness) for me with .51, so I'd rather not switch to an experimental build right now, but wait a bit.