According to The Wall Street Journal, TP-Link routers, a major player in the US internet industry, may be banned in the coming year. The Departments of Justice, Defense, and Commerce are looking into the Shenzhen-based business due to security issues and suspected connections to Chinese hacking. According to sources, TP-Link routers frequently come with security defects, and the business has demonstrated a reluctance to fix vulnerabilities that researchers have found.
In October, Microsoft highlighted TP-Link in a report on a Chinese “password spraying” hack, where compromised routers played a central role in cyberattacks referred to as “nation-state threat actor activity.” These findings followed calls from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party in August to investigate TP-Link for its security practices and ties to Chinese law.
The Commerce Department has subpoenaed TP-Link, and potential outcomes include a full sales ban in the U.S. Such a move would echo past actions against Chinese tech companies like Huawei. However, while Huawei’s U.S. presence was minimal at the time of its ban, TP-Link dominates 64.9% of the router market.
TP-Link’s success has been driven by affordability. For instance, its Wi-Fi 7 router retails for $108 on Amazon, compared to $300 for a similar model from Asus. This pricing strategy is also under scrutiny, with the Justice Department investigating possible violations of federal anti-monopoly laws.
The ban would impact consumers and institutions alike, as TP-Link routers are widely used by over 300 U.S. internet providers and government agencies. Experts recommend users take immediate steps to secure their routers, such as updating passwords, enabling firewalls, and regularly updating firmware.
For those looking to replace their routers, alternatives from brands like Netgear or Asus are recommended, prioritizing models with WPA3 certification for the latest in security. While the fate of TP-Link in the U.S. remains uncertain, the controversy highlights the critical role of cybersecurity in everyday devices.