So far, the internet is holding up underneath the unprecedented demands being put on it by the coronavirus pandemic. But, as the recent Google services failure from a single router failure showed, the internet remains fragile. That’s why the Internet Society and the Mutually Agreed Norms for Routing Security (MANRS) initiative have started the Content […] More

The iPhone Plus model (pictured) may potentially be replaced by the iPhone Air/Slim. Kerry Wan/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source More

TP Link / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeaways US agencies back proposal to ban TP-Link routers.A ban could soon impact businesses and consumers.Act now to protect yourself, regardless of the outcome.Growing concerns that the US government is closer than ever to banning one of the world’s most popular router brands might make you wonder how to improve your home security. What’s going on with TP-Link? The idea of banning TP-Link routers first emerged around a year ago, when hardware produced by the company — founded in China — was allegedly linked to a spate of cyberattacks. US government departments launched an investigation into whether TP-Link could pose a national security risk, with particular emphasis on its ties to China, despite TP-Link operating from Singapore and establishing a new headquarters in the United States last year. “By establishing our global headquarters here in the United States, we’re not just expanding our presence — we’re making a long-term commitment to American consumers and businesses,” the company said. Also: America’s favorite router might soon be banned in the US – here’s what we knowNow, a new report published by The Washington Post suggests that “more than half a dozen” federal departments and agencies are backing a plan to ban future sales of TP-Link routers in the United States. Why? The US government alleges that TP-Link is a risk as it “handles sensitive American data and because the officials believe it remains subject to jurisdiction or influence by the Chinese government,” according to The Washington Post. This means that alongside ByteDance’s TikTok, a ban on a popular consumer product could very quickly become reality. A sweeping ban on TP-Link without much — if any — real evidence may have been unthinkable a few years ago, but considering the erratic behavior of the White House in recent months — in my opinion — anything is now possible. Has TP-Link responded? TP-Link has fought tooth and nail to deny all allegations of Chinese government control and influence, design tampering, or knowingly allowing vulnerabilities in its consumer product line. TP-Link said that it “vigorously disputes any allegation that its products present national security risks to the US” Also: TP-Link’s new Wi-Fi 7 router is a travel-friendly option that won’t break the bankThe company commented that “no government — including China — has access to or control over the design and production of our products,” adding that “all core product and data security functions across TP-Link are handled within the United States, with clear accountability to US leadership and oversight structures.” Router vulnerabilities to knowHardware and chip-level implants: Hardware and chip-level flaws or implants are often placed as backdoors into vulnerable hardware, and impacted devices may require flashing to remove them.Zero-day vulnerabilities: Zero-day vulnerabilities are security flaws that are actively exploited before a patch has been made available. Unfortunately, on rare occasions, a router manufacturer may say there are no plans to patch zero-days and will recommend you replace vulnerable hardware instead, especially if they involve legacy products. Outdated firmware: If you do not update your router’s firmware, you will not receive critical security updates and patches that protect your device. Botnets: Botnets are networks of devices bonded together through malware. They seize control of IoT devices, routers, cameras, smartphones, and more to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, propagate malware, steal data, and run spam farms.Password spraying: Many threat actors today run “spray and pray” programs that use automated password-cracking scripts and intrusion tools. The most common combinations — such as “admin” and “123456” — are tested against Internet-connected devices in the hope of finding the right username and password to gain entry. The easier the password is to remember, the easier it is to crack.Exposed remote interfaces: Sometimes, users might not be aware that their router has an exposed interface or management controls that allow attackers to quietly infiltrate their device. The issue is often compounded when passwords are easy to guess.Weak encryption: When Wi-Fi connections use weak encryption protocols, such as WPA, it can be extremely easy to infiltrate and spy on users of the hotspot. How to secure your Wi-Fi and home networking devicesWhen you are changing router settings, you will usually need to go into your preferred browser and type in a web address. For TP-Link routers, this is often http://tplinkwifi.net. For others, try http://192.168.0.1 — but this does depend on your router, manufacturer, and model. A quick Google search will usually tell you.1. Replace weak, outdated credentialsUnfortunately, weak, easy-to-guess credentials are the main reason routers are compromised, leaving you vulnerable to surveillance and other cyber threats. Default credentials should be changed as soon as your router becomes your online hub, and you can usually do so in your router’s control panel. 2. Update your firmwareNot every router will automatically update its firmware — far from it. Older routers are at the most risk of compromise, but even the newest top-of-the-range products can be just as much at risk if their firmware has not been updated for a while. Also: How to update your router’s firmware (and why you should be doing it regularly)Firmware updates can improve stability and reliability, but their most crucial purpose is to patch vulnerabilities. It’s still an awkward process, though, and so if automatic updates are available in your router’s dashboard, allow them and save yourself the hassle of a manual update. 3. Enable a firewallEnsure your router and devices connected to your Wi-Fi hotspot have a firewall enabled. These should be on by default unless you have a reason to temporarily disable them, but they should be on at all times. Firewalls are often the first line of defense against intrusion and can also filter out malicious websites, phishing domains, and other online threats. 4. Disable remote management functions.Head into your router’s settings and ensure any options that allow for remote access, control, or management are left unchecked or disabled. 5. Ensure you are using strong Wi-Fi encryptionWPA3 is the latest protocol for securing Wi-Fi hotspots and should always be used if it is an option in your router settings. Most modern routers will enable WPA3, but if you have an older model or Internet of Things (IoT) devices, this protocol may not be recognized. If you face connection issues, try WPA2/WPA3 mixed or transition modes. 6. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)A VPN is one of the best ways to secure your online communication today. VPNs encrypt your information and online communication, making it far more difficult for eavesdroppers to see what you are doing online and where. They are a must for using public Wi-Fi networks but should also be used at home for additional security. They can also be used to hide your home IP address, too. Also: Best VPN services 2025: Stay protected online with the best VPNs in the market7. Replace aging routersEventually, support for all tech, including hardware and operating systems, ends. This means they will no longer receive security updates or patches, and customers may be left without support. Regarding routers, this opens up a myriad of problems. Unpatched vulnerabilities will leave your hardware exposed to cyberattacks — potentially compromising other devices connected to your hub — and you may experience slow speeds, bottlenecks, dropped connections, and reliability issues. Whether or not you opt for a TP-Link model is up to you, but modern router options will generally improve your security and router performance. More

Image: ACCC
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has commenced proceedings against Facebook and a pair of its subsidaries at the Federal Court of Australia, alleging the companies engaged in “false, misleading, or deceptive conduct” when promoting the Onavo Protect VPN app.
“The ACCC alleges that, between 1 February 2016 to October 2017, Facebook and its subsidiaries Facebook Israel Ltd and Onavo, Inc. misled Australian consumers by representing that the Onavo Protect app would keep users’ personal activity data private, protected and secret, and that the data would not be used for any purpose other than providing Onavo Protect’s products,” the ACCC said on Wednesday.
The consumer watchdog alleges that Facebook gathered and used “significant amounts” of user data for its commercial benefit.
“This included details about Onavo Protect users’ internet and app activity, such as records of every app they accessed and the number of seconds each day they spent using those apps,” the ACCC said.
“This data was used to support Facebook’s market research activities, including identifying potential future acquisition targets.”
The ACCC points to ads at the time that said data would be kept “secret” and “safe”.
“Consumers often use VPN services because they care about their online privacy, and that is what this Facebook product claimed to offer. In fact, Onavo Protect channelled significant volumes of their personal activity data straight back to Facebook,” ACCC chair Rod Sims said.

“We believe that the conduct deprived Australian consumers of the opportunity to make an informed choice about the collection and use of their personal activity data by Facebook and Onavo.”
The watchdog said it was seeking declarations and pecuniary penalties in bringing the action.
The Onavo app was pulled from Apple’s app store in 2018, after Cupertino asked for the app to be voluntarily pulled.
Onavo was purchased by Facebook in 2013.
Last week, Facebook suspended accounts linked to Vietnamese hacking group APT32.
A day earlier, the US Federal Trade Commission and a bipartisan coalition of over 40 state attorneys-general filed anti-trust suits against Facebook.
The FTC said in its lawsuit that Facebook initially tried to compete with Instagram on the merits by improving its own offerings, but it ultimately chose to buy Instagram to neutralise the direct threat posed by Instagram and make it more difficult for another personal social networking competitor to gain scale.
The lawsuits also allege companies that rebuffed offers to be acquired by Facebook — or those that posed a competitive threat — would subsequently be cut off from access to various key components within the social networking giant’s network.
“For nearly a decade, Facebook has used its dominance and monopoly power to crush smaller rivals and snuff out competition, all at the expense of everyday users,” New York Attorney-General Letitia James said.
“Almost every state in this nation has joined this bipartisan lawsuit because Facebook’s efforts to dominate the market were as illegal as they were harmful. Today’s suit should send a clear message to Facebook and every other company that any efforts to stifle competition, reduce innovation, or cut privacy protections will be met with the full force of our offices.”
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Jada Jones/ZDNETYour AirPods can be your best friend, small enough to stay in your pocket or bag until you need them. But if you like to work out with your AirPods, pushing your slippery earbuds back into your ear can become a particularly intense workout. I’ve found three products to help with this problem — a few dollars spent can revitalize your AirPods experience.Also: Best AirPods 2025: I’ve tested every pair of Apple headphones and earbudsUnfortunately, some people’s ear anatomy simply isn’t compatible with certain earbuds, and the best option may be purchasing from another brand. But if you’re determined to make your AirPods stay in your ear, try these tips first.1. Detachable ear hooks More