Looking for feedback: Anyone considering AiCloud important to them?

[GNUton]

Useless feature for me too. It just risk.
I will most probably get rid of it in my builds

 

[aru]

I typically choose routers based on the models supported by Merlin firmware, and after purchasing, I first flash the router with Merlin firmware. As a habit, I also disable privacy policies and data transmission options to ensure the router runs simply, stably, and quickly.

 

[DJones]

I typically choose routers based on the models supported by Merlin firmware, and after purchasing, I first flash the router with Merlin firmware. As a habit, I also disable privacy policies and data transmission options to ensure the router runs simply, stably, and quickly.

View attachment 62437

If I didn’t use Aiprotections blocklists with skynet and QoS Cake’s traffic classifications I’d probably do the same. Closed source proprietary software sucks tbh.

 

[thecheapseats]

Less is always More - unless you're writing marketing copy...

 

[nagyimre1980]

I have never use it, you can remove it.

 

[TITAN]

The only time I 'used' AiCloud was to change its default web access port to a random port number so that I can re-use it's default port 443 for the HTTPS LAN port for my router

I wouldn't miss it at all if it was removed

 

[RMerlin]

Just to comment on a few of the suggestions:

Just "hiding it" isn't an option. People who had it enabled in previous versions would end up with an invisible, forever-enabled AiCloud.

Adding a warning similar to the option Enable WAN Access could be an idea, but I wonder how much it would actually help in deterring users from using it.

Building a separate firmware would be pointless. People who wouldn't want to use it would have kept it disabled anyway, so in the end there would be no change in the number of potentially vulnerable users.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Never used it, got a NAS for storage and I can access that via VPN if I need to remotely.

 

[bennor]

Tried the AiCloud 2.0's Cloud Disk and Smart Access early on after buying a RT-AX86U Pro just to see what those features did. Disabled them when I was finished testing those features out and decided I didn't like using them. Never enabled any of the AiCloud 2.0 features since.

I can see that there will be those who like using such features. But I can also see that probably a fair number of SNBforum regulars don't use it and will want it removed.

Considering it appears (at least so far) to be the entry point for the latest security issue plaguing some I can fully understand the desire to completely disable or outright remove that feature. If disabled or removed it won't affect me in the least. So because of that I'd vote disable or remove it. If users need that feature they can go back to using the stock Asus firmware. Those users, if they still want to use Asus-Merlin firmware, can be informed that there are alternatives (VPN) if they need to access a USB drive attached to the router or need to access their internal network.

 

[kuchkovsky]

Just "hiding it" isn't an option. People who had it enabled in previous versions would end up with an invisible, forever-enabled AiCloud.

Then I vote to remove it once and for all

 

[Tech9]

This forum has about 100 or so active users. What % of Asuswrt-Merlin user base they represent?

RMerlin will decide what to do, but every time a feature is removed/modified an avalanche of questions follows. The users who need AiCloud will heave no option but switch to stock Asuswrt. This decision may impact Asuswrt-Merlin user base along with Script users. If you ask me - remove all Trend Micro as well. This is where most of the issues originate. Fresh vanilla Asuswrt or Asuswrt-Merlin with all 3rd party involvement disabled can run forever.

 

[RMerlin]

remove all Trend Micro as well.

BWDPI is not a security issue, and it's something the majority of users (including myself) do use.

Plus, that one cannot be removed, it's integrated throughout the firmware.

 

[sl4fko]

Never used it on my current GT-AX6000 or previous AC86U and AC68U before that.

Feel free to remove it, another closed door for hackers...

 

[Quoc Huynh]

Thank you RMerlin for all your hard work!
In terms of the AiCloud, I have never used it since having my first Asus router which is a RT-AC68U. Therefore, I vote for removing it from the firmware.

 

[Kingp1n]

Its probably best to remove it from asuswrt-merlin firmware and those who need it or use it can use the stock firmware. Based on all the input provided, it seems the one upvote to keep AiCloud doesnt even use Asus routers as their daily driver. Go figure.

But yes RMerlin will decide what's best

 

[Tech9]

Go figure.

The questions why AiCloud isn't available will be directed to RMerlin. Me, you and whoever is not using it - don't care. If he's okay with that - let be it. There will be users registering there just to ask this very question after their previous setup stopped working with Asuswrt-Merlin update. Isn't Web Access from WAN a security risk as well? It's there, Enable/Disable - user's choice. Why not remove it from Asuswrt-Merlin along with AiCloud? What about entire Firewall Enable/Disable page? PPTP VPN is also a security risk, why keep it? User access to /jffs - cut it off!

 

[Kingp1n]

Isn't Web Access from WAN a security risk as well? It's there, Enable/Disable - user's choice. Why not remove it from Asuswrt-Merlin along with AiCloud? What about entire Firewall Enable/Disable page? PPTP VPN is also a security risk, why keep it? User access to /jffs - cut it off!

The best security is to stay off the internet!

 

[Tech9]

The best security is to stay off the internet!

This is correct. Let's remove the WAN interface.

 

[Kingp1n]

This is correct. Let's remove the WAN interface.

No I meant don't use the internet at all. Call your ISP and cancel it.

 

[MDM]

Feel free to remove it.