US considers banning TP-Link routers over cybersecurity risks

[Bill_Bright]

Re: US considers banning TP-Link routers over cybersecurity risks

In recent years, TP-Link's market share has grown to approximately 65% of the U.S. market for SOHO routers (for homes and small business offices). This potentially artificial growth is powered by selling the devices for less than their manufacturing price, which the DOJ is also investigating.

Over 300 U.S. internet service providers are now issuing TP-Link devices as the default internet router for home users. The WSJ said that TP-Link routers are also present on the networks of multiple government agencies, including the Defense Department, NASA, and DEA.

 

[Steevo]

I just got a new firewall to install for a office and am looking forward to testing a few pieces of TP link to see if they attempt to phone home, I even thought about buying a few more.

Some stuff is OKish, but there are better performing brands without the unknown security risks for just a bit more.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I had heard of the TP-Link threat due to its ties back to suspicious Chinese organization. I just didn't realize they were dumping devices on the US at below cost prices or how large a market share they had.

It will be interesting to see how the Supreme Court rules on the upcoming Tik Tok case as that might affect this one tool

 

[chrcoluk]

I think this is just American protectionist strategy.

If it all spills over to the UK including banning the app, then I have a fair few smart devices to replace.

 

[TumbleGeorge]

If the US somehow manages to ban all Chinese goods, I doubt hardware prices will remain affordable for most customers. There will be additional massive scalper markups due to shortages. There may also be quite a few company bankruptcies.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I think this is just American protectionist strategy.

Just? Wow. If you bothered to pay even a modicum of attention about current events around the world - including in the UK - you would know that is not true and not make such a ridiculous, naïve comment.

If the US somehow manages to ban all Chinese goods

Come on. Get real. The US has no intention or desire to ban "all" Chinese goods. The US, UK, and others only want to ban goods and malicious activities controlled by the Chinese government.

Bulgaria is not immune from these threats, btw. https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/10/16/o...lgarian-government-websites-traced-to-russia/

 

[Bomby569]

Just? Wow. If you bothered to pay even a modicum of attention about current events around the world - including in the UK - you would know that is not true and not make such a ridiculous, naïve comment.

when the mass hysteria over China is at this level, everything is an attack, this was already a thing in the cold war later we found out some were true, most was just crying wolf or stocking the flames of war by those living from the war machine.

If that was absolutely confirmed and true we would be sanctioning them, stopping trade with them, not banning routers.

 

[TumbleGeorge]

Come on. Get real.

Sorry I forgot to specify that I meant all Chinese tech goods.

 

[Bill_Bright]

If that was absolutely confirmed and true we would be sanctioning them, stopping trade with them, not banning routers.

Gee whiz. Another ridiculous, naïve comment by another who clearly does not bother to keep up with current events.

Here Are All The U.S. Sanctions Against China - that took me a whole 10 seconds to find. I bet you could have done it too.

And banning routers is a form of stopping trade.

"Absolutely confirmed and true"? Really? It sure is nice and convenient how China and others publish their software code for all to see and put labels on these devices telling consumers their new routers, notebooks, cell phones, air fryers, and other devices will be used to spy on them and collect all their personal data.

Sorry I forgot to specify that I meant all Chinese tech goods. That took me a whole 10 seconds to find.

Thanks for clarifying but my reply is not changed. Lots of Chinese made tech goods are totally legit and of high quality. It is those products that are used to comment cyberwarfare by State-run entities that need to be banned.

 

[videobruce]

If you run 3rd party F/W, specfically DD-WRT, won't that block hacking unless if the specifically target that?

 

[Bill_Bright]

I know I am not smart enough to answer that for this case. However, I do know that in some cases, the malicious code is hard-coded into the devices. Not sure you can even run alternative firmware on it or if you could, if that would block the malicious code from running.

 

[Bomby569]

Gee whiz. Another ridiculous, naïve comment by another who clearly does not bother to keep up with current events.

Here Are All The U.S. Sanctions Against China - that took me a whole 10 seconds to find. I bet you could have done it too.

And banning routers is a form of stopping trade.

"Absolutely confirmed and true"? Really? It sure is nice and convenient how China and others publish their software code for all to see and put labels on these devices telling consumers their new routers, notebooks, cell phones, air fryers, and other devices will be used to spy on them and collect all their personal data.


Thanks for clarifying but my reply is not changed. Lots of Chinese made tech goods are totally legit and of high quality. It is those products that are used to comment cyberwarfare by State-run entities that need to be banned.

those are very directioned sanctions, just like the router, it just makes my point. There is no serious sanctions.

 

[Steevo]

If the US somehow manages to ban all Chinese goods, I doubt hardware prices will remain affordable for most customers. There will be additional massive scalper markups due to shortages. There may also be quite a few company bankruptcies.

The US is about 10 years from being able to sever ties with China for manufacturing at the best. We did this to ourselves, the cheap goods rush starting in the 80s was like crack and we traded jobs for lower price goods. Now we have to pay for it.

Just? Wow. If you bothered to pay even a modicum of attention about current events around the world - including in the UK - you would know that is not true and not make such a ridiculous, naïve comment.


Come on. Get real. The US has no intention or desire to ban "all" Chinese goods. The US, UK, and others only want to ban goods and malicious activities controlled by the Chinese government.

Bulgaria is not immune from these threats, btw. https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/10/16/o...lgarian-government-websites-traced-to-russia/

The global desire for power and control may involve even simple devices, but there is no need to hand over more control without question than needed. If TP link has allowed their government to place backdoors or alternate data streams like many other Chinease products they should be banned. https://community.synology.com/enu/forum/3/post/138037 https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-banned-chinese-cameras-20190710-story.html I installed a closed network of 5 cameras at a business and behold, they all tried to send occasional snaps of what they were viewing to a server in China. I have no doubt that if whoever was looking at the occasional images found them interesting they had a backdoor that is not secured would allow them to connect to the camera and start a live stream. 99% of people just install this stuff and never look to see where it connects.