Concerns Rise Over TP-Link Routers Amid Cybersecurity Investigations
Increasing Scrutiny on TP-Link’s Operations
If you’ve purchased a router in the past year, chances are it could be from TP-Link, a leading player in the router market. However, this might not be the case in 2026, as investigators from the Departments of Commerce, Defense, and Justice have initiated probes into the company due to alleged ties to cyberattacks originating from China. A recent report from the Washington Post reveals that more than half a dozen federal agencies are supporting a potential ban on TP-Link products.
Allegations of Antitrust Violations
Amidst the cybersecurity concerns, prosecutors from the Justice Department’s antitrust division are also looking into whether TP-Link has engaged in predatory pricing strategies. This practice involves selling products at prices lower than production costs to eliminate competition, as reported by Bloomberg in April.
TP-Link has garnered popularity primarily for its affordable router options, often praised for their value. While CNET’s testing of Wi-Fi routers indicates that TP-Link models generally perform decently, the current scrutiny may overshadow this reputation.
Political and Cybersecurity Experts Weigh In
Cybersecurity experts have pointed out that the potential ban on TP-Link is less about specific vulnerabilities identified in its products and more about the company’s connections to China. Rob Joyce, former director of cybersecurity at the NSA, stated in a hearing before the House Select Committee on China that TP-Link routers pose a threat to U.S. cybersecurity. He emphasized the need to replace these devices to prevent them from being exploited in cyberattacks.
TP-Link’s President, Jeff Barney, has strongly denied these claims, asserting, "Witnesses at the hearing didn’t present a shred of evidence that TP-Link is linked to the Chinese government and we are not."
TP-Link’s Market Emergence
The dominance of TP-Link in the U.S. router market has surged dramatically since the pandemic, allegedly rising from 20% of router sales in 2019 to approximately 65% in 2023. While TP-Link contests these figures, an analysis by Lansweeper suggests that around 12% of home routers currently in use in the U.S. are manufactured by the company.
Thomas Pace, CEO of NetRise, points out that while people look for "smoking guns" in devices from Chinese manufacturers, the vulnerabilities often parallel those found in devices from other countries. He noted that the security risk lies in the corporate structures governing these companies.
Government Investigations and Findings
Despite TP-Link’s assertions of a secure supply chain—reportedly manufacturing most U.S. products in Vietnam—the U.S. government remains concerned about the company’s Chinese background. In August, the House Select Committee expressed apprehension over TP-Link’s extensive security vulnerabilities and compliance with Chinese laws, citing these factors as grounds for investigation.
In response, TP-Link has stated that while its devices can be targeted by hackers like any consumer electronics, there is no evidence suggesting that its routers are inherently more at risk than competitors’. CNET has recently put a hold on recommending TP-Link routers until this situation is more clearly understood.
Bipartisan Support for Ban on Chinese Products
The potential ban is occurring amid a growing bipartisan consensus in Washington to eliminate Chinese products from U.S. telecommunications infrastructure. Recent high-profile cyberattacks, including one dubbed Salt Typhoon, demonstrated vulnerabilities in U.S. internet providers that might have been exploited through compromised routers.
Sonu Shankar, chief product officer at Phosphorus Cybersecurity, stated that vulnerabilities in embedded devices are not exclusive to any particular manufacturer. Nation-state actors exploit weaknesses in devices from many manufacturers, including American ones.
Brendan Carr, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has voiced alarm over security briefings that detail these threats, underscoring a need for immediate action.
The Uncertain Future for TP-Link
While cybersecurity experts are cautious, believing there may be undisclosed intelligence leading to the potential ban, the specific nature of concerns regarding TP-Link’s devices remains vague. Some experts suspect there might be a "zero-day" vulnerability—an unknown flaw that lacks a known fix—associated with TP-Link devices, although concrete evidence is lacking.
Evaluating TP-Link’s Security Landscape
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), TP-Link currently has two known vulnerabilities cataloged, compared to eight for Netgear and twenty for D-Link. Although this data may suggest that TP-Link is not an outlier in terms of security flaws, some cybersecurity analysts have expressed concerns over the systemic vulnerabilities present in routers across all brands.
For example, Microsoft recently highlighted a password spraying attack involving TP-Link devices, indicating increased scrutiny on the brand. Check Point Research also identified a firmware implant in TP-Link routers that was linked to a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group, although it wasn’t specifically targeting TP-Link.
Are TP-Link Routers Safe for Consumers?
Despite the ongoing investigations and risks associated with TP-Link routers, experts maintain that some level of risk exists with any router brand. Cyberattacks targeting entities like think tanks and government organizations do pose risks to users with affected devices.
However, experts like Pace suggest that the average consumer likely won’t become a primary target. The indiscriminate nature of widespread attacks means that users can be inadvertently caught in larger cyber campaigns.
Best Practices for Router Safety
If you own a TP-Link router, experts recommend taking specific steps to safeguard your network, regardless of the brand:
- Regular Firmware Updates: Ensure that your router’s firmware is always up-to-date to mitigate risks from outdated software.
- Strengthen Credentials: Change default login details to more robust, unique passwords, minimizing vulnerability to attacks exploiting weak passwords.
- Use a VPN: For extra protection, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic.
- Explore Router Alternatives: If you’re in the market for a new router, there are various recommended options available beyond TP-Link.
For more tips on choosing a secure router, check out our article on The Best Wi-Fi Routers of 2025: A Buying Guide.
As the investigation into TP-Link continues, it is crucial for consumers to remain vigilant and informed about cybersecurity threats and the safety of their internet devices.
