Cisco Pushing 'Cloud Connect' Router Firmware, Allows Web History Tracking

**FirtY** · 06-29-12 at 11:19 PM

"Reports have started popping up that Cisco is pushing out and automatically (without permission) installing their new Cloud Connect firmware on consumer routers. The new firmware removes the user's ability to login and administer the router locally. You now must configure the router using Cisco's Cloud connect service. If that wasn't bad enough, the fine print for this new service allows Cisco to track your complete internet history. Currently, it appears the only way to disable the Cloud Connect service is to unplug your router from the internet."

Source:

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http://tech.slashdot.org/story/12/06/29/1425210/cisco-pushing-cloud-connect-router-firmware-allows-web-history-tracking

**L1b3rta** · 06-30-12 at 12:23 AM

Edit:
Oh really? If eventually true, I'll have to consider to avoid routers from the company then.

Valid_Username · 06-30-12 at 12:33 AM

Quote:

We may share aggregated and anonymous user experience information with service providers, contractors or other third parties

They probably have it in mind to cash in on the stats, which is some incentive to make sure everyone's using it - like it or not!

Gotta admit, I would go totally ape-shit if they did this to me.
What a colossal balls up.

**FirtY** · 06-30-12 at 01:12 AM

Tomato ftw!

**Mbbest** · 06-30-12 at 01:17 AM

Well, if they do that you can expect load of custom firmwares for that company routers without any monitoring software or cloud thing, so its all good

**SteveJones7** · 06-30-12 at 04:06 AM

So whats the thinking behind this?

That people "arent" going to notice.

And that people wont get mega upset and stop buying it?

Moves like this are suicidal to sales.

b1sgas · 06-30-12 at 04:29 AM

TOMATO 4 SURE!!!

**Shawn_7** · 06-30-12 at 05:05 AM

I have a Cisco, very good modem/router, I must admit. But if Cisco keeps that policy next time I'll buy a Belkin, so the problem is solved. Sorry, Cisco, it was nice until it lasted.

So long

**TensionX1** · 06-30-12 at 05:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by FirtY

Tomato ftw!

High five to that!

igenther99 · 06-30-12 at 07:45 AM

Hopefully Netgear and other companies dont follow

zero_elevation · 06-30-12 at 08:56 AM

Buffalo time! Comes with DD-WRT installed!

**darklightv2** · 06-30-12 at 09:08 AM

This better not happen or i'm going to turn my cisco router to ash.

ST0boy · 06-30-12 at 12:58 PM

This cannot be true. Consider how many enterprise products Cisco makes. No company in the world would stand for this - that data or any other data from the company or it's employees would be considered confidential. Essentially what you are saying would be a major breach in network security and there is no way Cisco would advertise that.

Unless this is just for consumer products... but really when does Cisco make a 'consumer' product? All Cisco products are really for business customers. The consumer-level stuff it makes is branded under Linksys I thought.

**Shawn_7** · 06-30-12 at 01:10 PM

Linksys and Cisco have been the same thing for years now. All linksys router are branded Cisco System, there is no more difference as it might be years ago - cheap modem linksys, expensive professional modem Cisco. It is not so now, so their policy affects everybody if actually Cisco wants to do that.

Anyway It's not so clear, it seems it is not compulsory to install Cloud Connect as it's not compulsory to install Cisco network manager or what it's called, a good example of crapware.

06-30-12 at 12:23 AM	#2
L1b3rta Guru Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 5,985	Edit: Oh really? If eventually true, I'll have to consider to avoid routers from the company then. Last edited by L1b3rta; 06-30-12 at 12:27 AM.

06-30-12 at 07:45 AM	#10
igenther99 Newcomer Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 37	Hopefully Netgear and other companies dont follow Last edited by igenther99; 06-30-12 at 07:47 AM.

06-30-12 at 12:33 AM	#3
Valid_Username Expert Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Posts: 720	Quote: We may share aggregated and anonymous user experience information with service providers, contractors or other third parties They probably have it in mind to cash in on the stats, which is some incentive to make sure everyone's using it - like it or not! Gotta admit, I would go totally ape-shit if they did this to me. What a colossal balls up.

06-30-12 at 01:12 AM	#4
FirtY Elder Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eire Posts: 2,948	Tomato ftw!

06-30-12 at 01:17 AM	#5
Mbbest No kitty! bad kitty!!! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Southpark Posts: 1,660	Well, if they do that you can expect load of custom firmwares for that company routers without any monitoring software or cloud thing, so its all good

06-30-12 at 04:06 AM	#6
SteveJones7 Too sexy for this board Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: teh earth Posts: 1,541	So whats the thinking behind this? That people "arent" going to notice. And that people wont get mega upset and stop buying it? Moves like this are suicidal to sales.

06-30-12 at 04:29 AM	#7
b1sgas Newcomer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: tehparadox planet Posts: 65	TOMATO 4 SURE!!!

06-30-12 at 05:05 AM	#8
Shawn_7 Elder Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Eventyrland Posts: 3,514	I have a Cisco, very good modem/router, I must admit. But if Cisco keeps that policy next time I'll buy a Belkin, so the problem is solved. Sorry, Cisco, it was nice until it lasted. So long

06-30-12 at 05:11 AM	#9
TensionX1 Batman? Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 609	Quote: Originally Posted by FirtY Tomato ftw! High five to that!

06-30-12 at 08:56 AM	#11
zero_elevation Apprentice Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 422	Buffalo time! Comes with DD-WRT installed!

06-30-12 at 09:08 AM	#12
darklightv2 Lost One Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Beyond your reach. Posts: 1,408	This better not happen or i'm going to turn my cisco router to ash.

06-30-12 at 12:58 PM	#13
ST0boy Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 292	This cannot be true. Consider how many enterprise products Cisco makes. No company in the world would stand for this - that data or any other data from the company or it's employees would be considered confidential. Essentially what you are saying would be a major breach in network security and there is no way Cisco would advertise that. Unless this is just for consumer products... but really when does Cisco make a 'consumer' product? All Cisco products are really for business customers. The consumer-level stuff it makes is branded under Linksys I thought.

06-30-12 at 01:10 PM	#14
Shawn_7 Elder Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Eventyrland Posts: 3,514	Linksys and Cisco have been the same thing for years now. All linksys router are branded Cisco System, there is no more difference as it might be years ago - cheap modem linksys, expensive professional modem Cisco. It is not so now, so their policy affects everybody if actually Cisco wants to do that. Anyway It's not so clear, it seems it is not compulsory to install Cloud Connect as it's not compulsory to install Cisco network manager or what it's called, a good example of crapware.