ASUS Settles With FTC Over Router Security

In February, the FTC settled claims against Taiwan-based computer hardware maker ASUSTek Computer, Inc. over allegations the company misled consumers about the security of its routers and cloud services.  ASUS routers are used primarily in private homes to establish internet connections for personal devices such as laptops, tablets, and phones.  The cloud services were provided through the home network established by the router, and typically allowed everyone in the home to access and store information on an external hard drive or print to a networked device.  The complaint alleged that critical security flaws in ASUS's routers put the home networks of hundreds of thousands of consumers at risk by allowing hackers to use the internet to gain control over the routers and connected devices, and that the routers' insecure "cloud" services led to the compromise of thousands of consumers' connected storage devices, exposing their sensitive personal information.