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It’s time to replace your old router
Most folks don’t know their wireless router — that handy dandy device alongside the modem that connects your devices to the internet — has a shelf life. Once it hits the three-year mark, you’re due for an upgrade.
That’s tough to swallow, I know. Routers aren’t all that cheap (though I have affordable picks for you below), and it feels like you should be able to keep using yours until it breaks.
Unfortunately, hackers bank on that. Your old model likely stopped getting most updates long ago and can’t handle the latest security standards.
‘But Kim, I just bought one!’
Hey, good for you. Now, is that shiny new router a TP‑Link? Bad news: The federal government is considering a ban on Chinese-owned tech.
Depending on which numbers you trust, about 65% of American homes and businesses use a TP‑Link router, along with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies. TP‑Link says this number is much lower, like 12% of U.S. homes. I doubt that.
The company has been tied to Chinese cyberattacks and reportedly lets security flaws slide, making them a big target. And they may be selling their routers for less than it costs to make them — a monopoly no‑no.
3 more reasons you need to upgrade
- You’re living in the Stone Age: The latest security standard is WPA‑3, released in 2018. Any router that uses WPA‑2 encryption needs to be replaced. To check, go to your router’s admin menu (steps here). Under the Wireless or Security menu, look for the encryption status.
- You’re stuck in the slow lane: If your router doesn’t support the latest and greatest Wi‑Fi standards, you can’t reap the speedy benefits. Wi‑Fi 6 uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, while Wi‑Fi 6e operates on the 6 GHz band. The more devices you have, the more this matters.
- You have dead spots: Your home should have a consistent, speedy network. Rather than relying on one router, a mesh network adds satellite modules around your home, blanketing the entire area with coverage. I’ve used mesh for years.
Without further ado, our picks
Komando’s resident IT genius, John, happens to be a networking genius, too. He’s picked a few solid options:
⚡ Fast: The Linksys Hydra Pro ($158) is a great base pick that covers up to 2,700 square feet and over 55 devices. The Linksys app helps with setup, so the installation isn’t painful. Mesh systems are awesome for larger homes, and this is a good option if you’re just browsing the web, working and scrolling.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Free VPN risk: Check this list of 9 infected apps
I’m cheap and try to save a buck wherever I can. I use all my credit card perks, always click the coupon boxes on Amazon, and, to my husband’s great annoyance, cancel streaming services the minute we stop watching them.
iPad and Kindle trick: Next time you read a word that stumps you, press and hold down on it, then select Look Up for the definition.
Don’t just hope for the best: AI can help you stay on track. Just prompt your bot of choice with something like, “Help me create a daily habit that’ll help me reach my resolution of [your goal] with a 30-day tracker. Include tasks for weekly milestones and small rewards for consistency.” Be one of the 10% of people who stick to their 2025 goals!
📈 Facebook ad tip for small-biz owners: Use Engagement Custom Audiences to target people who’ve already interacted with your content (e.g., someone who has liked one of your posts or watched a video). This cuts the cost of getting a qualified lead. Love that! To get started, go to Ads Manager > Audiences > Create a custom audience. <a href=”https://www.komando.com/getsmallbiz/” trigger-id=”4779805″>Then, be sure to try my upcoming small-biz newsletter</a> for more smarts like this.
Screenshot with ease: On iPhone, press the side button + volume-up button. On Android, it’s usually the power + volume-down buttons.
Fear of the unknown: On a Mac, preview files instantly with Quick Look. Just select a file and hit your spacebar. This works for docs, images, videos — whatever. Windows pals, there’s a QuickLook app in the Microsoft Store so you can do the same. Nice.
If you don’t innovate, you’ll evaporate: You need to start using AI in your business before it’s too late. Find out how AI can streamline your operations. Take a free test drive of Oracle’s Cloud Infrastructure now at Oracle.com/kim.
That’s refreshing: Refresh rates (found in your computer’s display settings) control how things look on your screen. For regular work and browsing, go with 60Hz. For gaming or video editing, try 120Hz or 144Hz. Competitive gamers use 240Hz or higher. Now you know!
📊 Time travel … sorta: If you use Google Docs or Microsoft OneDrive, you can go back to earlier versions of your work (or someone else’s). In Google Docs, head to File > Version History > See Version History. In OneDrive, it’s under File > Info > Version History.
What do you mean, “only 7,203 steps”? If your smartwatch data seems way off, it might be a sizing issue. Most accuracy problems are caused by loose-fitting watches that slip around on your arm. Buy one with straps you can adjust. I like these for Apple Watches.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
🔐 5 tools to lock down your cybersecurity: I work with brands I trust to keep you secure. Hit this page to see the tools I recommend.
Look extra tech-savvy: You’re showing a pal something on your computer and need to switch to a different open program. Instead of using your mouse, use your keyboard. Alt + Tab (Windows) or Cmd + Tab (Mac) will quickly cycle through everything you have open. Smart.
🎨 AI tip of the day: Use quotation marks to separate complex ideas in your prompts. For a piece of art, you could say “clouds in soft hues of purples and oranges” over a “lush forest with tall trees.” Without the quotes, your prompt might generate a jumbled mess; this way, you’re telling the bot the clouds are one thing and the forest is another. You can use this for anything, btw, not just art.
Don’t settle for less: The Horizon IX hearing aids pack two state-of-the-art computer chips for the clearest possible sound, even in busy, loud places. See if you qualify for a 45-day no-risk trial.
Buzz off: Your Amazon Echo will store your voice recordings for analysis — unless you tell it not to. From the app on your phone, choose More > Settings > Alexa Privacy > Review Voice History.
✋ One handy tip: Your phone has a one-handed setting built in … good if you have small hands or you’re always multitasking. On Android, go to Settings > System > Gestures > One-handed Mode. To shrink only the keyboard, hit the four-box icon above it and choose One-handed. On iPhone, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch, and turn on Reachability. Now, hold the globe button below the keyboard, then tap the keyboard icon with an arrow.
“I’ve never seen anything like this”: That’s what I said to the CEO of EndpointLock when he came to my studios to tell me about his software. It stops hackers from capturing your keystrokes. If you bank on your phone or do anything else confidential, you need this. Hit this link for 10% off.
Someone always thanks me for this: You want to print the content on a site but not the ads and junk. Drop the URL into PrintFriendly.com. You’ll get a clean, print-ready PDF. Sweet.