[Solution] Cisco Linksys privacy issues on EAxxxx routers | NotebookReview

There have been some rather discouraging news in recent days as to the TOS of new Cisco Cloud Service that is bundled into new EAxxx routers.

Cisco got some heat over this:

When you use the Service, we may keep track of certain information related to your use of the Service, including but not limited to the status and health of your network and networked products; which apps relating to the Service you are using; which features you are using within the Service infrastructure; network traffic (e.g., megabytes per hour); internet history; how frequently you encounter errors on the Service system and other related information (“Other Information” .

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Source

Admittedly well-deserved heat.
They have since removed that paragraph from TOS but what is still in the TOS isn't much better:

You agree not to use or permit the use of the Service: (i) to invade another's privacy; (ii) for obscene, pornographic, or offensive purposes; (iii) to infringe another's rights, including but not limited to any intellectual property rights; (iv) to upload, email or otherwise transmit or make available any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, spam, junk mail or any other form of solicitation; (v) to transmit or otherwise make available any code or virus, or perform any activity, that could harm or interfere with any device, software, network or service (including this Service); or (vi) to violate, or encourage any conduct that would violate any applicable law or regulation or give rise to civil or criminal liability.

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How is it going to be enforced or is it going to be enforced at all is another matter. It might have been the case of "better safe than sorry" on Legal Department's part but it might also be a case of "we don't want to be another Megaupload so we're gonna keep an eye on your files".

In case you want to get rid of the Cisco is Watching You Firmware by following steps described in official Cisco knowledgebase which I wholeheartedly encourage you to do.

If you were thinking of buying Cisco-Linksys router from EAxxx series- don't.
EA4500 costs some $170 while E4200v2 costs $150. Both routers have identical hardware and E4200v2 does not spy on you.

NOTE: As always opinions presented in my posts are mine and mine alone and do not necessarily reflect opinions of Notebook Review or Tech Target especially that I'm in no way related to them. So sue me if you want

[Solution] Cisco/Linksys privacy issues on EAxxxx routers.

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