When I have all devices dropping off the internet this is a major problem

No.  People (and robots) on the internet continuously scan public IP addresses. Page 80 of the RS600 user manual describes an option to stop logging the detection.

https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RS600/RS600_UM_EN.pdf

Even before Netgear introduced the Protection Engine (and whatever it does, or doesn't do), the router firewall simply ignored attempts to connect from the internet unless the user deliberately forwarded specific ports to devices on the LAN.  There have been posts on the Forum in regard to some of the RS routers "rejecting" connection attempts rather than ignoring them.  This is often described as ports being reported as "Closed" rather than "Stealth".