Netgear RS400 Router Doubles Down on Cybersecurity

When it comes to cybersecurity, the router should be your first line of defense as the gateway to the Internet. Netgear confirms that idea today with the release of the Netgear RS400 Nighthawk Cybersecurity AC2300 Wi-Fi router.

This new router is almost identical to the R7000P that came out a couple of years ago. It’s a standard AC2300 WAVE 2 Wi-Fi 5 router with enough power to deliver reliable Wi-Fi to a small or medium home.

What makes the RS400 different is that it comes included with three years of Armor protection instead of just 90 days of the R7000P or the Orbi. After that, you’ll need to pay a $70/year subscription. Or you can probably get a new router of the same deal.

Armor is Netgear’s new and upcoming built-in security engine, powered by BitDefender, for its routers. The engine resides within a supported router itself and protects the entire network in real-time. Among other things, it keeps malware, including ransomware, from entering your home; and prevents your home devices, including IoT devices, from accessing malicious websites. Users can manage Armor via the router’s web interface or the Nighthawk App mobile app.

But there’s more to Netgear Armor. This feature also includes Bitdefender Total Security (BTS) anti-virus and theft protection software that you can install on an unlimited number of devices — PC, MAC, iOS & Android. That said, if you have a big family, Armor is a great deal since you might want to get cybersecurity software on your computers anyway. Again, there are three years of complete protection included with the new router.

In return, though, the new Netgear RS400 Nighthawk Cybersecurity AC2300 Wi-Fi router is a bit pricey. It’s available now at the suggested price of $300.