Advanced Filtering.
The Quantum FiOS Router, while fast and including some great features, is missing one of the most important ones that its predecessor (the BHR3/MI424WR) model did have. The Advanced Filtering capability allowed you to define a filter on external IPs to allow, drop, or block those IP Addresses.
Use Case: I define a port forwarding rule for a Windows 10 client on my network at 192.168.1.121 to allow RDP (Port 3389) access. Now I can Remote desktop to that client when I am away from the house.
But so can everyone else .. and beleive me .. *everyone else* tries!
Mass port scans find that port open which are followed up by subsequent attempts to login to that service on that Windows 10 Client along with exploit attempts to access it as well.
With the Advanced Filtering function on the MI424WR router I could create "Access Rules" that essentially said .. drop any attempts from external IP addresses to port 3389. Allow only the following IP Addresses/Ranges into that port.
While I still left it open to anyone else who had a FioS IP or from the IP ranges of my wireless provider which is not perfect. At least I could block every other random Brazil/China/Russia/etc IP from reaching it.
I noted this was missing in the firmware of the when I first received the Quantum FiOS router 2 years ago. I reached out to ask about it and was escalated through to the Quantum Router engineering team. It took some back and forth to explain what the issue was but I walked them through the interface on my old router via a webex and they said that this was slated for a coming firmware update. I accepted that because the router was a new addition and growing pains were expected.
But two years have passed and a phone call today revealed that they have no intention of reproducing this feature on the Quantum FioS Router. Apparently Verizon feels no need to help keep their users secure. They've grown complacent in thier #1 position.
Well, remember the old #2 motto .. "We Try Harder"? I'll let ya'll know if I am able to do this on the Xfinity Router that I will be moving to when my FiOS agreement expires at the end of March.
Hank the Armylifer.