B
BETTER THAN MOST
The Verdict
This is one of the better routers on the market — and it still has gaps that matter. Asus's automatic updates must be manually enabled. Without router-level VPN or strict network segmentation, your work laptop, banking sessions, security cameras, and any infected smart device all share the same flat network.
A B grade is a relative ranking in a market where the floor is low. The gaps are real, they just aren’t urgent.
-
A small gap that still touches every device on this network
A small gap, not an urgent one — but it still touches everything on this network: your work laptop, your phone, your security cameras, and any guest device that joins the Wi-Fi.
Show technical detail
Auto-updates disabled by default: Asus's automatic updates must be manually enabled. Without it, you miss security patches.
Everything on this network runs through this router
💻 Work laptop & remote access
🏦 Online banking & passwords
📷 Security cameras & smart locks
👧 Kids' devices & school logins
📱 Every phone & tablet at home
🔊 Smart speakers & streaming
FCC & Ban Risk
89
/100
A
Supply chain · FCC status · CVEs · Patch support
Security Capabilities
62
/100
C
Zero-Trust · VPN · Segmentation · Monitoring
FCC & Ban Risk measures supply-chain exposure, government flags, and CVE history. Security Capabilities measures what the router can actually do to protect your network. How we score →
Device context
Manufacturer
Taiwan-headquartered — ASUSTeK Computer Inc., Taipei, Taiwan
Country of origin
Built in Taiwan
US gov status
FCC authorized — Not in scope
Security patches
Active
Things worth keeping in check
1
Enable automatic firmware updates in the Asus app - most important action
2
Turn on AiProtection - it's free on this model
3
Review the network map for unrecognized devices
4
We built Rio to score 8/8 on this framework. It’s the only router we track that does — and we’d tell you if another one did
🔒
Security capabilities comparison
Here's how your router compares to Rio across the 8 dimensions we built our framework around. (Yes, we made Rio.)
ASUS
your router
Rio Router™
full standard
Zero-Trust Device Admission
Every new device is blocked by default - admin must approve it once, even if it has the right password
Not available
Available
Network Segmentation (VLANs)
Devices on your network are isolated from each other, so a hacked smart TV can't reach your laptop
Partial
Available
Router-Level VPN for All Devices
All traffic - including smart devices that can't run VPN apps - is encrypted before leaving your home
Partial
Available
Domain Allowlisting
Block everything except approved sites; more effective than trying to blacklist billions of harmful URLs
Available
Available
Granular Password Control
Separate passwords per network zone - changing one doesn't affect others
Partial
Available
Guest Auto-Expiry
Guest devices are automatically removed when they leave; neighbors can't reconnect without re-approval
Partial
Available
Clean Supply Chain
Manufactured outside Chinese legal jurisdiction - not subject to China's National Intelligence Law
Available
Available
Active Threat Monitoring
Real-time detection of suspicious device behavior, unusual traffic patterns, and known attack signatures on your network
Available
Available
Rio scores 8/8 — we built it to hit every dimension on this framework. Know a router that does? Tell us and we’ll add it.
Get Rio →
See all Asus models: Asus brand overview →
Rio is the only router that scores 8/8. One step up from where you are.
Free US shipping · 30-day money-back · Works with any internet provider
Watch for new threats
If a new vulnerability is found for your Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8, we'll email you. One email per incident. No spam.
How this was scored · verified March 2026: This rating combines FCC authorization status, manufacturer legal jurisdiction, CVEs from NIST NVD, active patch support status, and CISA advisory mentions. See full methodology →
Reference Data
Known CVEs - Asus brand history
From the NIST National Vulnerability Database. Your specific model may or may not be affected.
Format string vulnerability in iperf service. Unauthenticated remote code execution.
See all Asus CVEs: NIST NVD search →
Sources & evidence
All findings trace to publicly verifiable primary sources - US government databases, official FCC filings, and NIST CVE records. No proprietary or anonymous sources are used.
Full data source documentation: Scoring Methodology & Citations →