HardwareNetworkingUS lawmakers believe TP-Link networking products come with an ‘unusual degree of vulnerabilities’ leaving them vulnerable to hackersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

HardwareNetworkingUS lawmakers believe TP-Link networking products come with an ‘unusual degree of vulnerabilities’ leaving them vulnerable to hackersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Future)

TP-Link Archer GE800 router

TP-Link products are widely used in the US, and can be found inside critical facilities, including US military bases.

Last year, TP-Link routers were used tolaunch an attackon European foreign affairs organizations. TP-Link firmware was infected with malware, giving attackers the ability to run shell commands, access files and relay communications between devices on the network. TP-Link is not the only manufacturer that can be exploited. Other manufacturers including Cisco and Netgear have also been used to launch attacks from foreign adversaries.

The request for an investigation is just the latest in the US government’s actions against Chinese companies, with Huawei and ZTE being forced out of the US market. TikTok is another well known example of a Chinese companyfacing similar spying concerns.

Most end users are at least somewhat aware of the need to keep devices and PC software updated for security reasons, but there is far less awareness around the potential for router based attacks. I’d place a wager and suggest that a majority of home users have never updated their router’s firmware. Now would be a good time to start.

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An illustration of a silhouetted thief in motion running while carrying a stolen fingerprint. This could represent individuality, identity, privacy concerns, or a concept of personal data being in motion or at risk. The combination of the human form with the unique identifier of a fingerprint offers a visual metaphor for themes such as identity theft, digital security, or the trace we leave behind in a digital age. The overall aesthetic is bold and dynamic, fitting for topics of cybersecurity, personal identity, or discussions about the intersection of humanity and technology.

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