alt Hacker NewsActually it's entirely relevant how, in the context of this conversation.
Here, we're discussing product as shipped, not product intercepted and modified. We're discussing if products are shipped secure or not.
The Snowden disclosures are important, but not relevant in this case.
It is absolutely relevant. It is completely within the realm of feasibility that a foreign nation state would pressure a manufacturer in their jurisdiction to include a backdoor, or simply insert it themselves. Routers are in every home and office in the country, and can be leveraged for immense attacks. It’s a hugely attractive target, and it’s a reasonable security policy to try to limit our exposure to this threat. And it would absolutely make sense for adversaries to avoid buying U.S. made routers for exactly the same reason. Unfortunately this administration is generating more adversaries by the day.