Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

TP-Link routers may be banned as security risks, report says
consumeraffairs.com ^ | J Hood

Posted on 05/30/2025 10:12:40 AM PDT by Bobbyvotes

It's not just TikTok that's in trouble over cybersecurity. U.S. authorities are investigating TP-Link, a Chinese company that holds 65% of the U.S. market for home and small-business routers, for potential national security risks, the Wall Street Journal reports today.

The company’s routers have been linked to cyberattacks targeting Western organizations and government agencies.

Key points Security Concerns: Microsoft found that Chinese hackers used TP-Link routers in cyberattacks. Government Probes: Commerce, Defense, and Justice departments are investigating, with a potential U.S. ban on TP-Link devices under consideration for next year. Router Flaws: TP-Link routers are often shipped with unaddressed security vulnerabilities. TP-Link denies the claims, stating it follows industry security standards. If banned, this would be the largest removal of Chinese telecom equipment from the U.S. since Huawei in 2019. The investigation reflects broader concerns about supply chain security in telecommunications.

“We welcome any opportunities to engage with the U.S. government to demonstrate that our security practices are fully in line with industry security standards, and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the U.S. market, U.S. consumers, and addressing U.S. national security risks,” a spokeswoman for TP-Link's U.S. distributor said.

If the routers are banned, it would mark the biggest extraction of Chinese telecom equipment from the country since the Trump administration in 2019 ordered Huawei Technologies' equipment removed from infrastructure in the U.S.

(Excerpt) Read more at consumeraffairs.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: linux; macos; routers; tplink; unix; windows
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last
I need a router, and looking at TP-Link. My router is 9 years old, and probably needs a new replacement. Anyone experience problems with TP-Link routers?
1 posted on 05/30/2025 10:12:41 AM PDT by Bobbyvotes
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Bobbyvotes

I like my TP Link router. The policy should be:

“If you like your router you can keep your router.”


2 posted on 05/30/2025 10:24:32 AM PDT by bigbob (Yes. We ARE going back)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bobbyvotes

Never fooled with TP Link myself.

Netgear has been what I’ve used for many years in different forms.

The Orbi I’ve been using for a couple years now has been almost no touch except for checking firmware is up to date after initial setup and routine items as changing the defaults.


3 posted on 05/30/2025 10:26:39 AM PDT by wally_bert (I cannot be sure for certain, but in my personal opinion I am certain that I am not sure..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bobbyvotes
I saw this article but I have an ASUS router (made in Taiwan) so I did a search and found a different vulnerability for ASUS. I use the ASUS Merlin firmware on my router so I can connect it to a VPN so I am not sure if mine is affected.


4 posted on 05/30/2025 10:26:49 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats are the Party of anger, hate and violence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

open source router firmware
https://search.brave.com/search?q=open+source+router+firmware

open source ethernet switch driver
https://search.brave.com/search?q=open+source+ethernet+switch+driver

A Man Buys a “New” Hard Drive, but Once Plugged In, He Found 800 GB of Valuable Hidden Files Worth Thousands
What looked like a brand-new SSD turned out to be anything but. A Reddit user found nearly 800GB of unexpected files preloaded on the drive. The contents raised eyebrows across the internet—and serious concerns behind the scenes.
Arezki Amiri
Published on May 30, 2025
https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/05/a-man-buys-a-new-hard-drive-but-once-plugged-in-he-found-800-gb-of-valuable-hidden-files-worth-thousands/


5 posted on 05/30/2025 10:28:26 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (The moron troll Ted Holden believes that humans originated on Ganymede.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Only use tp- link with OpenWrt firmware


6 posted on 05/30/2025 10:43:57 AM PDT by George from New England (escaped CT back in 2006)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Only use tp- link with OpenWrt firmware


7 posted on 05/30/2025 10:48:36 AM PDT by George from New England (escaped CT back in 2006)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Bobbyvotes

I have used networking hardware for decades and for sure I have never bought a TP Link device. I have seen them in thrift stores but I still wouldn’t buy one. DLink is the lowest quality I will use because Cisco owns it but all of my last 3 wifi routers have been Netgear Nighthawk. Also my hotspot. Everything else is cheap crap made in the Chinese Laogai with slave labor.


8 posted on 05/30/2025 11:09:02 AM PDT by webheart (Notice how I said all of that without any hyphens. And only full words. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

That is really anecdotal. I have bought many hard drives from liquidators as near new as being available in the original box and apparently sealed. I once bought a used hard drive from eBay which had mp3 files from billboard top 100 1960 through 2003 and also a bunch of porn on it. I of course deleted all the porn and backed up the music files before erasing it. I have no desire to have porn on any computer if I was to die suddenly and have my kids going through my data.


9 posted on 05/30/2025 11:16:47 AM PDT by webheart (Notice how I said all of that without any hyphens. And only full words. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Bobbyvotes
Anyone experience problems with TP-Link routers?

They are a good price for what you get. The news about backdoors to the Chicoms has been around for about a decade. I have an Asus router myself. Not cheap, but no issues and a good management portal. Netgear will do the trick, too. I have never had anything but misery with Linksys.
10 posted on 05/30/2025 11:24:41 AM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Sivana

Linksys stuff lasts about two years, then one day you find the device on its back with with its legs in the air.

I gave up on them many years ago.


11 posted on 05/30/2025 11:53:29 AM PDT by Disambiguator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: George from New England

Yup.


12 posted on 05/30/2025 11:58:52 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (The moron troll Ted Holden believes that humans originated on Ganymede.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

I have an Asus router too. I checked to see if I was infected.

As long as SSH is not enabled on the router with the port set to 53282 then you are not infected.

You probable aren’t as it has only been detected on about 9,000 devices.


13 posted on 05/30/2025 12:36:05 PM PDT by sloanrb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Bobbyvotes

The problem is the Chinese angle.


14 posted on 05/30/2025 12:57:22 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bigbob

The Chinese angle us the problem.


15 posted on 05/30/2025 12:58:02 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: George from New England

I wonder about my dumb switch?


16 posted on 05/30/2025 12:59:35 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: webheart

Used HDD and porn was a deal years ago. Kind of like a bonus.


17 posted on 05/30/2025 1:01:44 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: ImJustAnotherOkie

Bookmark


18 posted on 05/30/2025 1:03:04 PM PDT by ponygirl (Stay gold.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Disambiguator

“then one day you find the device on its back with with its legs in the air.”

My ex wife was like that.

L


19 posted on 05/30/2025 1:04:03 PM PDT by Lurker ( Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Bobbyvotes

Nope.


20 posted on 05/30/2025 1:52:38 PM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson