TP-Link Investigation: Potential U.S. Ban on Routers

U.S.authorities have allegedly begun investigating TP-Link due to repeated links to Chinese cyberattacks involving their popular routers.According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the U.S.

Departments of Defense (DOD), Commerce and Justice (DOJ) have each launched investigations, while the Department of Commerce has reportedly already subpoenaed the company.The WSJ reports that the sale of TP-Link routers could be banned in the U.S.within the next year.

If this ban comes to fruition, it will affect millions of users nationwide since TP-Link possesses nearly 65% of the U.S.router market share.In addition to millions of Americans potentially having compromised equipment in their homes, internet providers, the DOD and other federal agencies also use TP-Link’s internet equipment.

Allconnect router reviews Allconnect has listed TP-Link products on various best Wi-Fi router and Amazon deals pages.Allconnect will monitor the status of this investigation closely and will reevaluate content involving TP-Link as necessary.Will it be illegal for me to keep my TP-Link router? If the U.S.

bans the sale of TP-Link routers in the future, you will need to replace your router.Internet providers that use the company’s products will also need to contract with a different company in the event of a ban.Until a ban is officially in place, we recommend buffing up your security if you currently have a TP-Link router.

While TP-Link ensures it takes every measure to resolve security risks, there are steps you can take to protect your network from any nefarious activity.Ensure you enable every security feature that your TP-Link router offers, whether it’s firewall encryption, updating your network passwords or updating your firmware.If you don’t want to risk it, you can also buy a new router.

Learn more about how to know if your router has been hacked and how you can prevent it.Shopping for a new router won’t be difficult if you own your equipment.There are many reliable internet equipment companies like NETGEAR, ASUS, Google and even Amazon.

Multiple investigations into TP-Link This isn’t the first time TP-Link has been under fire.In August 2024, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party cited TP-Link’s “unusual vulnerabilities” combined with the Chinese government’s common use of networking equipment to commit cyberattacks as grounds to open an investigation into the company.A few months later, Microsoft also raised concerns about security risks involving TP-Link’s routers in an October report.

Microsoft linked a collection of “highly evasive password spray attacks” that steal credentials from Microsoft customers to a network of compromised devices manufactured by TP-Link.Microsoft states that the credentials acquired from the password spray operations are used by multiple Chinese “threat actors.” TP-Link is the leading router brand on Amazon and popular among internet customers who buy their own equipment due to consistently low prices, even for routers with the latest technology.The WSJ reports that the DOJ is investigating TP-Link to determine if the company is selling products for less than the manufacturing cost in an attempt to monopolize the market, which violates antitrust laws.

See Allconnect’s News hub for more broadband guides and information.Written by: Camryn Smith Camryn Smith started writing for Allconnect in July 2022 and has developed broadband expertise across the landscape, including home internet providers, plans, pricing and equipment, as well as internet technolog… Read more Edited by: Anine Sus Editor I Read bio What to read next Read more Featured How to know if someone is stealing your internet Robin Layton — 3 min read Featured 10 questions you should ask before choosing an internet service Ari Howard — 7 min read Featured Different types of internet security threats to think about in 2024 Robin Layton — 6 min read Latest Friday, December 20, 2024 TP-Link internet routers might get banned in the U.S.Camryn Smith — 3 min read Friday, December 20, 2024 All about Spectrum services: Your ultimate guide Robin Layton — 6 min read Thursday, December 19, 2024 Faster internet speeds for lower prices in 2024 Camryn Smith — 3 min read