Router Cyberattack Issue
Is the Archer AX73/AX5400 router affected by the PRC Cyberattack issue? If so, can anything be done to eliminate this threat, such as a firmware update (I do have the latest version) or any other recommendations? Is there any aftermarket software tool that can be used to detect vulnerability or a patch from TP Link or any other source that can prevent the issue? I just purchased this device and with rumors of certain TP Link routers being "banned", I am not a happy camper.
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@NetworkHelper
I will await a response from someone at TP Link to see how honest they are about this issue. Hopefully someone may come up with an aftermarket firmware patch to correct this as is the case with some other routers on the market if TP does not come clean.
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I think we all are wanting to know more about this issue. Is it something that could allow an attack using the router or is is it something that has been or currently under attack.
This alert is much like the alert that was issued a few years ago on some of the camera systems. Some brands of cameras are no longer allowed to be used in most government places because of a possible breech. Many think that no camera system and most IoT devices that connects to network is safe no matter what router you use. Some use additional devices to control and block info on the network with devices that use products such as PFsense or OPNsense.
Based on what I have found on the internet, I do not think this issue is any way limited to TP Link.
I am playing with OPNsense to be used in bridge mode which will put more security between my modem and router. I still have a lot to learn about it. Before I was more worried about my IoT and other devices than my router. There have been a lot of news where things like TVs, cameras, and such calling home.
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@ArcherC8
Thanks for the response. You are right about other devices being hijacked for sure. I suspect much of the problem may be due to many users not changing the default login and password from admin. I still await the response from someone at TP Link who is actually concerned with this issue and is not partial to the whims of the culprits involved.
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@Altair8800 They put a respnose to the being"Banned" over on their Reddit page.
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@Altair8800 the Chinese are attempting to hack most routers by every router, not just TP-Link. ASUS, Cisco, Ubiquiti, Netgear, Linksys, and others have all had routers breached by hackers from China, Russia, Europe, and the US.
jn fact, it's more likely some idiot in your own country might try to breach your. network than someone outside your country.
No one knows which routers from any vendor are vulnerable because of the large number zero-day flaws vendors don't know about. That's why they're so hard for anyone to patch.
Unless more info is provided by anyone, it's not worth panicking about. Keeping your router up to date with latest firmware, keeping your phone/tablet/computer updated with latest software (your biggest security holes are here so always have latest operating system and apps installed), and be careful of suspicious email/websites are you best protection.
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@DVair Thanks for the response. Seems they are being honest about the issue, along with claiming they are no longer affiliated with their Chinese counterpart.
My concern was also that possibly some of the hardware (IC's) within the router could be embedded with a "back door" as was the case some years back with some counterfit Cisco network components and some Chinese mobile phones from ZTE, which would prevent any firmware upgrades from correcting security issues.
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@Richardj186 Thanks for the response. You are most likely correct, but I wonder why they seem to be concentrating on TP Link products? Again, hopefully this is not an issue with something like an embedded "back door" within these devices as has been found over the years is certain electronics and IC components. I became a bit concerned, and still am, as right after I installed the router I noticed that my wireless mouse has become a bit erratic. I have done all of the "usual" attempts at correcting the issue (remove/reinstall driver, clean mouse components, new batteries, clean desk mouse area), but still see this. My next test will be to try another mouse. It may be possible that the router RF signals are interfering with the mouse RF signals.
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Altair8800 wrote
@DVair Thanks for the response. Seems they are being honest about the issue, along with claiming they are no longer affiliated with their Chinese counterpart.
My concern was also that possibly some of the hardware (IC's) within the router could be embedded with a "back door" as was the case some years back with some counterfit Cisco network components and some Chinese mobile phones from ZTE, which would prevent any firmware upgrades from correcting security issues.
@Altair8800 there's no evidence of any back door in their components, and TP-Link's headquarters are now in the US.
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Altair8800 wrote
@Richardj186 Thanks for the response. You are most likely correct, but I wonder why they seem to be concentrating on TP Link products? Again, hopefully this is not an issue with something like an embedded "back door" within these devices as has been found over the years is certain electronics and IC components. I became a bit concerned, and still am, as right after I installed the router I noticed that my wireless mouse has become a bit erratic. I have done all of the "usual" attempts at correcting the issue (remove/reinstall driver, clean mouse components, new batteries, clean desk mouse area), but still see this. My next test will be to try another mouse. It may be possible that the router RF signals are interfering with the mouse RF signals.
@Altair8800 they're going after TP-Link because of anti-China politics, and ignoring Netgear and other router vendors with identical issues.
No evidence has been found (or at least not published) of any backdoors in any components. All routers have those concerns with no way to tell which is more vulnerable.
wireless mice use Bluetooth and not WiFi, so no your router isn't causing the issue. Wireless mice tend to behave like you describe with the only fix being replacing the mouth when that happens.
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