A Scary Story for Halloween

The TP-Link Problem

You’ve probably seen them on Amazon or at your local retailer: TP-Link routers, hubs, switches, and access points. They’re fast, affordable, and everywhere. For years, they’ve been the go-to for anyone wanting solid performance without breaking the bank.

But there’s a growing problem. The U.S. government now believes TP-Link may pose a national security risk because of its Chinese origins.

According to a Washington Post report from October 30, the Commerce Department is considering an official ban on the future sale of TP-Link routers in the United States. The proposal has support from multiple agencies, including Homeland Security, Defense, and Justice, which rarely agree on much.

The concern isn’t just theoretical. Investigators found that Chinese hackers have exploited vulnerabilities in TP-Link routers in the past to carry out cyberattacks. There is no evidence that the company helped them, but the devices were easy targets. In one case, malware was written specifically for TP-Link firmware. In another, compromised routers were used to disguise state-sponsored hacking traffic.

Even if TP-Link isn’t knowingly involved, U.S. officials worry that Beijing could compel any Chinese-affiliated company to assist with intelligence operations under China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law. That is the same argument that led to bans on Huawei.

How We Got Here

This issue has been building for more than a year. In 2024, a bipartisan congressional committee urged the Commerce Department to investigate TP-Link’s rapid market dominance and possible connections to the Chinese government. They cited reports that TP-Link routers had been used in cyberattacks targeting U.S. and European infrastructure.

By December, Commerce and the Justice Department had opened formal investigations into TP-Link under laws that allow restrictions on technology from foreign adversaries. Around that time, TP-Link restructured its business to show independence. Its U.S. division, TP-Link Systems Inc., is based in California and manufactures most of its products in Vietnam.

Despite those changes, the government is not convinced. According to the new Washington Post report, an internal review found the company may still be “subject to influence” from Beijing.

If the proposed ban goes through, TP-Link will have 30 days to respond and another 30 days before enforcement begins. That means an actual ban could, in theory, arrive before the year’s end.

What This Means for You

For consumers and professionals who handle sensitive information, this is a serious warning sign.

Routers are the unseen gatekeepers of our digital lives. Every email, every document, every online transaction passes through them. If a router is compromised, an attacker can spy, steal data, or disrupt your connection.

Tax professionals, accountants, and small business owners should pay special attention. If your office runs on client trust, the last thing you want is a network device under federal scrutiny. The IRS and FTC already urge and require strong cybersecurity practices for anyone handling taxpayer data. Using a router that the government itself considers high-risk is not a wise choice.

A compromised router can also be turned into part of a botnet, a network of hijacked devices used to attack other systems or disrupt services. Even if you are not directly targeted, your equipment could be helping someone else’s cyberattack.

The Bigger Picture

The TP-Link investigation fits into a broader pattern. The U.S. has spent years restricting Chinese technology: Huawei and ZTE in telecom, Hikvision in surveillance cameras, and even TikTok in social media. The reasoning is simple. If a product connects to the internet and has ties to China, it could be used for espionage.

To be fair, TP-Link denies all allegations. The company says its U.S. division is independently owned, its routers are made outside China, and no government has ever been granted access to its products. It argues that vulnerabilities affect all router brands, not just TP-Link.

Still, when multiple federal agencies agree that something poses a risk, it is difficult to ignore.

The Bottom Line

TP-Link routers are popular for a reason. They are inexpensive, easy to set up, and perform well. But in the long run, saving $50 or $100 on a router is not worth the risk. If a ban goes through, firmware updates and customer support could vanish quickly.

For most people, the smarter move now is to choose a trusted brand from a U.S. or allied manufacturer, even if it costs more. Think of it as insurance for your data and peace of mind.

In a world where cybersecurity is as essential as locking your front door, “cheap” should not be the deciding factor.

When it comes to the tools that connect us, especially in professions built on trust, it is not just about speed or price. It is about who is on the other end of that connection.

What I Recommend

There are several brands of routers and network equipment that I like and work with. My favorite is Ubiquiti, with reviews for their equipment planned in the very near future. I also like Netgear Orbi products, which have some built-in security features that are very end-user-friendly. I am not a fan of internet service provider (ISP) provided solutions. That router built into your cable modem is unlikely to receive my endorsement. As tax professionals and accountants, we tend to be frugal with our spending, and when it comes to purchasing equipment for our infrastructure, this is not the area where you want to opt for the cheapest option.

What are you using? Have questions? Please leave a comment.