US Officials Warn Against Chinese-Made TP-Link Routers

US Officials Warn Against Chinese-Made TP-Link Routers

Congressional Committee Raises Security Concerns

A U.S. congressional committee has urged Americans to remove Chinese-made wireless routers, particularly those made by TP-Link, citing national security risks. Officials warn that these devices could allow China to hack U.S. critical infrastructure.

Potential Ban on TP-Link Routers

The Commerce Department is reportedly considering banning TP-Link routers in the U.S. due to cybersecurity concerns. TP-Link is currently the top global seller of WiFi routers by unit volume, according to research firm IDC.

Cybersecurity Experts Sound Alarm

Rob Joyce, former director of cybersecurity at the National Security Agency, testified that TP-Link routers expose individuals to cyber intrusion, potentially enabling hackers to attack critical infrastructure. He noted that TP-Link dominates the U.S. retail market by undercutting competitors with low prices.

Lawmakers Advise Against Using TP-Link Devices

Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi emphasized the risk by holding up a TP-Link router during the hearing, stating, “Don’t use this.” He warned that such devices could pose a serious threat to national security.

Previous Security Vulnerabilities

In 2023, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) identified a vulnerability in TP-Link routers that could be exploited to execute remote code. This added to ongoing concerns about cybersecurity risks linked to Chinese-made technology.

Calls for Stronger Cyber Defenses

Joyce warned that Chinese government-linked hackers are nearing a peer status with U.S. cyber capabilities. He also expressed concerns that workforce cuts at U.S. cybersecurity agencies could weaken defenses against such threats.

Debate Over Offensive Cyber Strategies

Krishnamoorthi suggested that the U.S. should consider offensive cyber operations against Chinese hackers. “I think you have to sometimes use fire against fire,” he said, advocating for a more aggressive stance in cybersecurity defense.

“US Officials Warn Against Chinese-Made TP-Link Routers” “US Officials Warn Against Chinese-Made TP-Link Routers”