The American authorities are considering a ban on the sale of routers from manufacturer TP-Link, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports based on sources. TP-Link routers are said to regularly contain vulnerabilities for which the manufacturer does not release updates, according to anonymous sources quoted by the WSJ. The company would also not cooperate with security researchers who report vulnerabilities.
Several US departments have each launched their own investigation into whether the equipment poses a risk to national security, according to the WSJ. TP-Link has also reportedly been summoned. Microsoft recently warned about a botnet of TP-Link routers that is used to carry out password spraying attacks. The botnet is said to consist of an average of around eight thousand infected routers.
TP-Link has 65 percent of the U.S. residential and small business router market. The router manufacturer said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal that it would like to demonstrate to US authorities that its security practices are in line with industry security standards and that it is committed to the US market and resolving risks to US national security.
In short:
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Proposed Ban | American authorities are considering banning the sale of TP-Link routers. |
| Security Vulnerabilities | TP-Link routers reportedly have vulnerabilities that are not updated or addressed by the company. |
| Investigations | Multiple US departments are investigating the potential national security risks posed by TP-Link equipment. |
| Botnet Issue | Microsoft warned of a botnet of TP-Link routers involved in password spraying attacks, with about 8,000 infected routers. |
| Company Response | TP-Link claims to comply with industry security standards and aims to address national security concerns. |
