TP Link routers possible ban

[Cropduster172]

I've got a TP-Link AC1750 in our beach house since 2023. It's been flawless. I bought an Asus AX1800s last year just to have a backup as Internet and streaming are must haves for winter weekends there.
I think they were both about $65.

 

[alarmguy]

Yes, that's the whole "separate, smaller headquarters in California" thing. It's still TP-Link. Do you think the components don't come from the parent?

It's a smart move, but it doesn't appear the government is buying it.

Yeah, I know. just so you know Im not defending anything. China is our worst enemy. Im just anal and want to see some proof other than the exposures and reporting back to China that every router (almost) has been infected with. They have been talking about banning TP-Link for years but when asked directly, no one has been able to provide proof other than possibilities to ban them. Interestingly even the tech media also hasn't been able to give reasons to ban them and some will continue to just sit on the sidelines waiting for a reason.

Yet almost hypocritically we allow TicTok with far more evidence (I think) to allow to function and then, when an US company even takes them over, who knows. Then there is the hyprocisy that everything in this world can have Chinese stuff planted in it. Including our cars, who knows.

My debates with you, if you havent noticed are much more mellow on the subject *LOL* Im really not a tyrant and I really enjoy life. Though my posts might read like that sometimes. I only trust some of our own elected officials a little more than the Chinese with good reason. (no politics intended) I REALLY so all I can by voting in every election Im losing faith and the young have to step up to the plate. Im not so sure this whole social media thing is giving them the right information.

Im rambling on... time for my first sip of coffee.... peace...
BTW - Give me a mainstream router, that does not want me to sign a subscription, can transmit and receive at great distance without needing a mesh network, rock solid reliable and proven not to be using my information. I look at (yeah I know) consumer reports and I forgot the line on their chart but it's something along the lines of data privacy and I think most almost all of them are yellow, instead of green. But I can revisit that. Im not in the market right now, not even close. I do suspect there will be more "green" ratings down the road.

I am curious about one thing, using a VPN. Does that stop the maker of a router from knowing the sites you go to? Im only asking (Im not a criminal or perv) because that is the privacy rating CR talks about on the routers, packaging your information if I remember correctly. Im not crazy about the subject, Apple is good enough for me in most cases but I am curious only because Apple offers me their "Private Relay" as part of my subscription. Dont always use it, sometimes I leave it on with my iPhone though. Does using that deny a router the information of the sites I go to?

 

[OVERKILL]

Yeah, I know. just so you know Im not defending anything. China is our worst enemy. Im just anal and want to see some proof other than the exposures and reporting back to China that every router (almost) has been infected with. They have been talking about banning TP-Link for years but when asked directly, no one has been able to provide proof other than possibilities to ban them. Interestingly even the tech media also hasn't been able to give reasons to ban them and some will continue to just sit on the sidelines waiting for a reason.

Yet almost hypocritically we allow TicTok with far more evidence (I think) to allow to function and then, when an US company even takes them over, who knows. Then there is the hyprocisy that everything in this world can have Chinese stuff planted in it. Including our cars, who knows.

My debates with you, if you havent noticed are much more mellow on the subject *LOL* Im really not a tyrant and I really enjoy life. Though my posts might read like that sometimes. I only trust some of our own elected officials a little more than the Chinese with good reason. (no politics intended) I REALLY so all I can by voting in every election Im losing faith and the young have to step up to the plate. Im not so sure this whole social media thing is giving them the right information.

Im rambling on... time for my first sip of coffee.... peace...
BTW - Give me a mainstream router, that does not want me to sign a subscription, can transmit and receive at great distance without needing a mesh network, rock solid reliable and proven not to be using my information. I look at (yeah I know) consumer reports and I forgot the line on their chart but it's something along the lines of data privacy and I think most almost all of them are yellow, instead of green. But I can revisit that. Im not in the market right now, not even close. I do suspect there will be more "green" ratings down the road.

I am curious about one thing, using a VPN. Does that stop the maker of a router from knowing the sites you go to? Im only asking (Im not a criminal or perv) because that is the privacy rating CR talks about on the routers, packaging your information if I remember correctly. Im not crazy about the subject, Apple is good enough for me in most cases but I am curious only because Apple offers me their "Private Relay" as part of my subscription. Dont always use it, sometimes I leave it on with my iPhone though. Does using that deny a router the information of the sites I go to?

I recently deployed a Unifi UDR 7 for a teleworker at a clinic:
https://techspecs.ui.com/unifi/cloud-gateways/udr7?s=ca

I was impressed by its performance, and it might be an option for you when you do go to upgrade. Though by that time, there may be an even better version!

Apple's Private Relay service is a bit more complicated than your typical VPN services because DNS traffic goes to one server, and then the actual connecting you to the site is handled by another, using a temporary IP. But yes, it hides your browsing (in Safari) from both the router and your ISP. I have Private Relay blocked on my network so that my DNS filtering works, because otherwise, devices bypass it.

 

[alarmguy]

I recently deployed a Unifi UDR 7 for a teleworker at a clinic:
https://techspecs.ui.com/unifi/cloud-gateways/udr7?s=ca

I was impressed by its performance, and it might be an option for you when you do go to upgrade. Though by that time, there may be an even better version!

Apple's Private Relay service is a bit more complicated than your typical VPN services because DNS traffic goes to one server, and then the actual connecting you to the site is handled by another, using a temporary IP. But yes, it hides your browsing (in Safari) from both the router and your ISP. I have Private Relay blocked on my network so that my DNS filtering works, because otherwise, devices bypass it.

Thank you for this. I have seen posts about this router and honestly? I would be curious moving forward. This might sound silly but do you know one thing that bothers me? (LOL) and I know most likely foolish but how is range? I guess I could easily find that information if I was serious but not yet. I know antenna's can be put on anything as a marketing tool and not be all that helpful if transmitters and receivers are garbage. But not seeing any at all messes with my brain!

Thanks for the response on Apple relay. Only time I tend to leave it off on my desktop is I think sometimes slows down my connection but really havent documented it too much. On my phone it does not matter. I'll have to revisit it. I do use it and I always know when I leave it on because I get notifications from certain sites I use, was this you? with date, time and location.

 

[dogememe]

Thank you for this. I have seen posts about this router and honestly? I would be curious moving forward. This might sound silly but do you know one thing that bothers me? (LOL) and I know most likely foolish but how is range? I guess I could easily find that information if I was serious but not yet. I know antenna's can be put on anything as a marketing tool and not be all that helpful if transmitters and receivers are garbage. But not seeing any at all messes with my brain!

Thanks for the response on Apple relay. Only time I tend to leave it off on my desktop is I think sometimes slows down my connection but really havent documented it too much. On my phone it does not matter. I'll have to revisit it. I do use it and I always know when I leave it on because I get notifications from certain sites I use, was this you? with date, time and location.

Don’t worry about not seeing the antenna. You’ll be OK.

 

[alarmguy]

Don’t worry about not seeing the antenna. You’ll be OK.

I suspect you are correct! Been computing before some in here were born and honestly I always researched which router for distance and properly placed my routers and NEVER had an issue with range. Yet all I see is marketing with mesh networks and ya da ya da...
( I know I sound old but my mind is young*LOL*)

I dont know, my last house wasnt huge but to us it was at 3000 sq ft and some of it 16 foot ceilings, never had an issue with moderate to lower priced TP Link and Motorola routers... typically on sale when almost out of production. I was always a band behind too. Right now with 1- 2.5 and 2 - 5 GHz bands will be plenty for the longest time plus our downsized 1800 sq ft home. I always use the 2.5 for everything systems in the home, cameras, thermostats, garage door, door locks, printer. 5 GHz for my wife (and some TVs) and the other 5 Band for me

I always got the speed I paid for from my provider and if I didnt I called them and if they didnt get it right I contacted the FCC and magically they would pay more attention on both homes. People put up with that stuff. I even contacted the FCC for the current new home. The fiber internet provider was obnoxious on the phone when I called them. Tried to reason and would not send out a tech based on what I was telling them. (slow uploads when it was supposed to be symmetrical) Simple, filled out a form on the FCC website, not getting the speed I paid for. Days later contacted by a higher ranking person from the fiber internet company. Sent someone over right that day. Guy spent HOURS here trying to figure it out. Very nice, watched him the whole time tested, then out of the blue it turned out something was funky with the modem after many phone calls he made into his office having them try things on their end etc... put in a new modem, problem solved. Got a follow up call at least two times making sure I was happy and his direct line if any further issues. Im always cordial except I did make it known to them about the nasty person I had on the initial call and why I decided to not bother any further and just fill out a compliant.

PS, pleasure reading this thread. Who knows if I get crazy and needing to buy something after the holidays maybe I'll look into that router. I really dont need one right now... but if I get really bored ... hmmm... but most likely not for a long time and with that said though, next time it will be something different than I have been using and something like @OVERKILL is mentioning.

 

[andrew_j]

Owned tp-link when it was rated so well and it was trash at best . Wasted half day trying to patch fix and diagnose issues. Instead trashed all 3 of them and purchased a Google Mesh that just works howver now seems like speed on router wired has surpassed the throughput on WiFi.

 

[PandaBear]

I've got a TP-Link AC1750 in our beach house since 2023. It's been flawless. I bought an Asus AX1800s last year just to have a backup as Internet and streaming are must haves for winter weekends there.
I think they were both about $65.

I'm also using an Archer C8, a powerline ethernet kit, and a wifi repeater from them. They are all the same at consumer grade level and if I don't trust their firmware I can always switch to DD-WRT or something opensource.

Their GUIs are sort of plain and not any better than other generic consumer grade stuff. Their prices are usually slightly cheaper and are on sale more often. They don't have power circuit or adapter blowing up like the even cheaper no name brand. To me that's probably the cheapest I would go in generic consumer grade stuff.

 

[PandaBear]

Apple's Private Relay service is a bit more complicated than your typical VPN services because DNS traffic goes to one server, and then the actual connecting you to the site is handled by another, using a temporary IP. But yes, it hides your browsing (in Safari) from both the router and your ISP. I have Private Relay blocked on my network so that my DNS filtering works, because otherwise, devices bypass it.

The only VPN I trust is PrivateInternetAccess. They were sued by Hollywood in court and they defend themselves well, not keeping log, so the Hollywood blood suckers can't sue you if your kid torrent movies.

I don't trust Apple doing that.

 

[dogememe]

The only VPN I trust is PrivateInternetAccess. They were sued by Hollywood in court and they defend themselves well, not keeping log, so the Hollywood blood suckers can't sue you if your kid torrent movies.

I don't trust Apple doing that.

I’d stay far away from anything owned by Kape

 

[alarmguy]

It's not worth it for me to pay for a VPN but it's offered by Apple as part of my plan. So I accept @OVERKILL opinion on the subject though years ago we had debates on it, he has educated me. Since it's at no cost to me I take it and was glad to hear his thoughts on it.

If someone really for some reason wanted to pay for one, for whatever reason. For no other reason than that I like the marketing of this overseas company and use some of their products for quite some time now, call me crazy but I believe in their company methodology ...
They offer many services but this is their VPN marketing... (I do not use their VPN) They only came out with their VPN a couple years back but links to all their audits are on the page.

https://protonvpn.com/blog/no-logs-audit