Question Is Netgear armor subscription worth it?

General Security Discussions
26 Replies 5,557 Views
Help answer the author's question with clear explanations and useful steps.
cartaphilus said:
Or should I just point it to NextDns?
Click to expand...
Because Netgear Armour Marketing is the same as Philips Toothbrushes and heads (confusing to a point where you just go for the more expensive ones, I asked AI to tell me what’s done on a router and what’s done through the Bitdefender software, which you install (and you can get very cheap or a competitor one).

Here is the answer:


🛡️ 1. Network-Wide Threat Blocking
This is the core feature. Armor actively blocks your devices from accessing malicious destinations.
* Malicious Site Blocking: If you or a device on your network tries to connect to a known phishing site, a scam website, or a server known to host malware, Armor blocks the connection at the router. The dangerous page never even loads on your device.
* Botnet Protection: It prevents your devices from communicating with the command-and-control (C2) servers used by botnets.
🔍 2. Network Vulnerability Assessment
Armor doesn't just wait for threats; it actively probes your network's defenses.
* It identifies every device connected to your network.
* It scans these devices for common vulnerabilities like open ports, weak passwords, and outdated firmware.
* You receive a report in your Netgear app with a security score and recommendations on how to fix any issues it finds.
🚨 3. Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
This system analyses network traffic for signs of an attack. It can detect and block various threats in real-time, such as:
* Port scans from the internet looking for open doors into your network.
* Brute-force attacks trying to guess the passwords for your devices (like security cameras).
* Attempts to exploit known vulnerabilities in network protocols.
🏠 4. IoT Security & Anomaly Detection
This is a critical function for a modern smart home. Armor learns the typical behaviour of your smart devices.
* If your smart fridge, which normally only communicates with its manufacturer's servers, suddenly tries to connect to a suspicious server in another country, Armor can flag this anomalous behaviour.
* It can automatically block a compromised IoT device from accessing the internet, preventing it from being used in a DDoS attack or from spying on your network.
📱 5. Comprehensive Device Management
Through the Netgear Orbi or Nighthawk app, Armor gives you a centralized view of your network's security.
* You can see a list of every device connected to your Wi-Fi.
* You receive instant alerts when a new, unrecognized device joins your network.
* You can pause internet access for any device with a single tap.
Beyond the Router: Included Endpoint Protection
A crucial part of the Netgear Armor subscription is that it also includes a license for Bitdefender Total Security. This allows you to install the full, award-winning antivirus client on your traditional devices (Windows PCs, Macs, Android, and iOS).
This is important because it protects your devices when they are away from home and not connected to your secure router.
 
Trident said:
Because Netgear Armour Marketing is the same as Philips Toothbrushes and heads (confusing to a point where you just go for the more expensive ones, I asked AI to tell me what’s done on a router and what’s done through the Bitdefender software, which you install (and you can get very cheap or a competitor one).

Here is the answer:


🛡️ 1. Network-Wide Threat Blocking
This is the core feature. Armor actively blocks your devices from accessing malicious destinations.
* Malicious Site Blocking: If you or a device on your network tries to connect to a known phishing site, a scam website, or a server known to host malware, Armor blocks the connection at the router. The dangerous page never even loads on your device.
* Botnet Protection: It prevents your devices from communicating with the command-and-control (C2) servers used by botnets.
🔍 2. Network Vulnerability Assessment
Armor doesn't just wait for threats; it actively probes your network's defenses.
* It identifies every device connected to your network.
* It scans these devices for common vulnerabilities like open ports, weak passwords, and outdated firmware.
* You receive a report in your Netgear app with a security score and recommendations on how to fix any issues it finds.
🚨 3. Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
This system analyses network traffic for signs of an attack. It can detect and block various threats in real-time, such as:
* Port scans from the internet looking for open doors into your network.
* Brute-force attacks trying to guess the passwords for your devices (like security cameras).
* Attempts to exploit known vulnerabilities in network protocols.
🏠 4. IoT Security & Anomaly Detection
This is a critical function for a modern smart home. Armor learns the typical behaviour of your smart devices.
* If your smart fridge, which normally only communicates with its manufacturer's servers, suddenly tries to connect to a suspicious server in another country, Armor can flag this anomalous behaviour.
* It can automatically block a compromised IoT device from accessing the internet, preventing it from being used in a DDoS attack or from spying on your network.
📱 5. Comprehensive Device Management
Through the Netgear Orbi or Nighthawk app, Armor gives you a centralized view of your network's security.
* You can see a list of every device connected to your Wi-Fi.
* You receive instant alerts when a new, unrecognized device joins your network.
* You can pause internet access for any device with a single tap.
Beyond the Router: Included Endpoint Protection
A crucial part of the Netgear Armor subscription is that it also includes a license for Bitdefender Total Security. This allows you to install the full, award-winning antivirus client on your traditional devices (Windows PCs, Macs, Android, and iOS).
This is important because it protects your devices when they are away from home and not connected to your secure router.
Click to expand...
How much is the subscription now for Armor? Maybe it's equal to a used Asus Router with TM. If that's still the case, rather go for Asus with TM offering without the yearly sub.
 
stonjean633 said:
How much is the subscription now for Armor? Maybe it's equal to a used Asus Router with TM. If that's still the case, rather go for Asus with TM offering without the yearly sub.
Click to expand...
According to the web pricing varies but around 100£/$ a year. It includes 50 devices and VPN.

That is quite a lot though…

It’s equal to a new Asus router with TM AI Protection Pro…
 
Can also try TPLink routers with TM but the problem with TPLink is they dont update the firmware on a regular basis thou TM will still update. Bugs can be present for some time.

Asus are updated regularly and got 3rd party firmware from Merlin for extra features and fixes.
 
stonjean633 said:
Can also try TPLink routers with TM but the problem with TPLink is they dont update the firmware on a regular basis thou TM will still update. Bugs can be present for some time.

Asus are updated regularly and got 3rd party firmware from Merlin for extra features and fixes.
Click to expand...
But TPLink nowadays does not offer AiProtection Pro, it charges extra for it. For free, it just blocks malicious websites.
Trend Micro’s own router also performs virus scanning, but I believe it has been discontinued/about to be discontinued…?

Most of the AV vendors don’t deal with routers anymore. It’s an aggressive field with new standards coming up frequently. Norton, F-Secure, Avira, Bitdefender, all stoped.
 
Anything non enterprise baked in security is going to be poor or bad quality. Hell even enterprise gear is absolute rubbish. Firmware update cycle is most important in home routers.

But saying that I like ASUS thee most for home routers, frequent firmware/security patches and the ability to flash Merlin firmware. The Trend Micro part is not so good or useful.
 
Zero Knowledge said:
Anything non enterprise baked in security is going to be poor or bad quality. Hell even enterprise gear is absolute rubbish. Firmware update cycle is most important in home routers.

But saying that I like ASUS thee most for home routers, frequent firmware/security patches and the ability to flash Merlin firmware. The Trend Micro part is not so good or useful.
Click to expand...
Here is the moment to clarify something which a lot of users may want to know about these routers.
I’ve been using the Asus AXE7800 router now for a few months (the McAfee tests and so on were all performed behind this router).

So the good:
Trend Micro is good at blocking scam websites (like fake shops).
—ends here—

The not so good:
The so called enterprise grade IPS doesn’t support HTTPS. There is currently zero evidence that this IPS does something, apart from the signature updates. Speaking of signature updates, TM pushes almost daily updates, whilst Asus pushes one update per month. Perhaps from all the signatures, Asus is cherry-picking some that could affect the router itself and some IoT devices potentially? No idea, there isn’t enough information around.

@Divergent here on this forum is the IPS and traffic expert and can chime in with more information how IPS handles HTTPS traffic normally.
From my point of view, I see this:
IMG_2703.jpeg

If this IPS was any useful, with all the malware I executed, there should’ve been at least one detection.

Majority of detections are just plain C2 blocklists (better than nothing).

Also, the web blocking/phishing detection is slightly limited, apparently it only blocks cases where the whole domain has been blacklisted, not specific pages (I read somewhere that this is again due to the lack of HTTPS support).

That’s about Trend Micro AiProtection Pro.

I am also using ControlD on this router.

Also, one more very important point, which can confuse users (and I see some of them are trying to resolve the issue for months).

For every device, when “Security” is chosen as a profile, Asus activates Cloudflare with malware blocking (which has very mediocre web filtering, documented everywhere online). It DOES NOT apply the user-selected DNS.
IMG_2704.jpeg
 
Last edited:
No mainstream consumer Wi‑Fi router can reliably stop a malicious app that hides DNS using DoH over port 443 and then fetches a payload over HTTPS unless it performs full TLS decryption (deep packet inspection) or you tightly lock down DNS egress to only sanctioned resolvers and block known DoH endpoints by domain/IP—both of which exceed what typical “security suites” on routers provide out of the box. Netgear Armor and ASUS AiProtection primarily block known-bad domains/URLs and malicious destinations at the router using reputation services; they don’t MITM/decrypt TLS on the router itself. This allows them to block many malicious HTTPS sites by domain reputation, but it does not “see” or parse DoH payloads riding on 443 without decryption. As a result, if a malicious app hardcodes a DoH resolver and domains, it can often bypass local DNS controls unless the router/firewall explicitly blocks those DoH endpoints or forces devices to use only approved DNS resolvers. But with nextdns dot on a router like asus (better executed on a mikrotik router, where you can block all port 53 traffic and re route it to router's doh using the beow given command) can explicitly block all other DoH endpoints, if "Block Bypass Methods" function is enabled. So IMHo Asus would be better value for money in the long run as the protection is almost one and the same on both of them.

Edit: If you want to go one step further with mikrotik, you can also employ a blocklist of all known doh dns providers

Code: 
/ip firewall nat

add chain=dstnat action=dst-nat to-addresses=192.168.88.1 to-ports=53 protocol=tcp dst-port=53
add chain=dstnat action=dst-nat to-addresses=192.168.88.1 to-ports=53 protocol=udp dst-port=53
 
Last edited:
This is an excellent discussion. It perfectly captures a nuanced decision many people face when choosing a new router and its security features.

You've hit on some of the most critical points, firmware updates, the value of third-party firmware, and the effectiveness of built-in security features.

Let's break down the core question.

Is a paid subscription like Netgear Armor "worth it" compared to a free, built-in solution like ASUS AiProtection Pro?

The short answer is, it depends entirely on your budget and how you want to manage your security.

The Value of the Router's Firmware

As @Zero Knowledge rightly pointed out, the most important factor for any home router is its firmware update cycle. A device with the most advanced security features is useless if the manufacturer doesn't patch new vulnerabilities in a timely manner.

ASUS: The community consensus is correct—ASUS has a strong reputation for providing frequent and long-term firmware support, even for older devices. This is a massive security advantage.

TP-Link: As @stonjean633 mentioned, if a manufacturer is known for less-regular firmware updates, that router may not be the best long-term security investment, even if the security software (like Trend Micro) is updated independently.

For many users, this commitment to long-term support is the single most important factor.

A Closer Look at the Security Features

@Trident and @stonjean633 offered an excellent comparison between the two main options.

Netgear Armor (Bitdefender)

The key benefit here is the integrated package. It not only provides router-level protection but also includes a full Bitdefender Total Security license for up to 50 devices. This is a significant value because it protects your laptops and phones when they are away from home and connected to public Wi-Fi. It's a convenient, all-in-one solution for families who want to manage everything from a single app.

The Downside

As @cartaphilus discovered, the annual subscription cost is substantial (around $100 USD/year). This recurring fee can quickly add up and, as pointed out, is equivalent to the cost of a new, entry-to-midrange ASUS router every year.

ASUS AiProtection Pro (Trend Micro): The major selling point is that this security suite is free for the lifetime of the router. You pay for it once when you buy the hardware.

The Downside

@Trident correctly noted a key technical limitation.

The router's Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) often cannot inspect encrypted HTTPS traffic.

A home router's IPS cannot inspect HTTPS traffic because doing so requires a complex setup that is impractical and not built into the firmware. Enterprise-level solutions, however, are specifically designed to handle this, making it a key feature for businesses with high security demands.

This means it can't detect malicious content hidden within the majority of today's internet traffic. While still useful for blocking known malicious domains, it's not a silver bullet.

The Power of Customization

The ability to use third-party firmware like Asuswrt-Merlin on ASUS routers is a major differentiator.

This allows power users and security-conscious individuals to, receive faster security patches than even the official firmware provides. Access advanced security and networking features. Extend the useful security life of their router beyond the manufacturer's official support period.This level of control is something a closed, subscription-based system cannot offer.

A Note on TP-Link and Budget-Friendly Options

While the discussion focused on ASUS and Netgear, it's worth noting the role of TP-Link.

TP-Link is a popular choice for its affordability and user-friendliness, often with intuitive mobile apps that make setup and management simple for less technical users.

TP-Link's newer routers use a security suite called HomeShield, which has both a free Basic plan and a paid Pro subscription. This gives users a choice.

The free HomeShield Basic offers core features like network security scanning and parental controls, which can be sufficient for many users.
For those on a tight budget who prioritize ease of use, a TP-Link router can be a great option.

However, as noted, it's important to research the specific model's firmware update frequency and support lifecycle.

My Recommendation

If you are budget-conscious and want the best long-term value.

Choose an ASUS router with AiProtection Pro. You get robust, free security for life, backed by a manufacturer known for strong firmware support. For advanced users, the option to flash Merlin firmware is an invaluable bonus. This option allows you to put the money you save on the subscription toward a dedicated endpoint security solution (e.g., Bitdefender, ESET, or another trusted brand) to protect your devices when they are away from your network.

If you want a simple, user-friendly solution on a budget.

Consider a TP-Link router with HomeShield Basic. It provides a solid baseline of security features without a recurring fee and is known for its ease of use. Just be sure to do a quick check on the firmware support for the specific model you're considering.

If you want a convenient, all-in-one solution and don't mind the recurring cost.

Netgear Armor is a viable option. Its value lies in the convenience of including endpoint protection for multiple devices, simplifying security management for a household.

Ultimately, remember the principle of layered security.

No single tool is a complete solution. Regardless of which router you choose, always implement these foundational security practices.

Use a secure DNS resolver like NextDNS or Cloudflare DNS.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all your accounts.

Use a password manager to create unique, strong passwords for every site.

Keep all your devices' software and operating systems updated.

This discussion highlights a core truth in cybersecurity. The "best" solution isn't always the one with the most marketing or a hefty price tag.

It's the one that provides reliable, long-term support and fits within your personal budget and technical comfort level.
 
Divergent said:
This is an excellent discussion. It perfectly captures a nuanced decision many people face when choosing a new router and its security features.
...While the discussion focused on ASUS and Netgear, it's worth noting the role of TP-Link.
Click to expand...
how does (might) Unifi / Ubquiity fit into this discussion? If not, why not? might be at higher end of budget... :unsure:
 

Recently browsing

Members who viewed this thread in the last 5 minutes

You may also like...

Back
Top