Nothing is more frustrating than buying a new pair of headphones, an OLED TV, or a laptop just to find out that you could have gotten it for a lot cheaper somewhere else. That’s why, in order to keep customers happy and prevent them from going elsewhere, many retailers offer price-matching policies in which they promise to match a lower price found elsewhere. That kind of information comes in handy no matter the time of year, but it’s especially helpful during shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Technology
Here are the price-matching policies for Best Buy, Walmart, and others
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23952324/HT017_money_0004.jpg?ssl=1 "Here are the price-matching policies for Best Buy, Walmart, and others")
What follows are the price-matching policies for a variety of major retailers. There are a few things to make note of here. First, all price-matching policies have a number of rules attached to them. We’ve summarized some of the rules here, but we recommend going to the links that we’ve provided and reading the policies carefully. Second, most retailers that serve as marketplaces for other sellers, such as Costco and Sam’s Club, don’t have price-matching policies, and many traditional stores won’t match their prices.
Lastly, there are always exceptions to the rules. If you’re looking for a deal on a product and you know it’s available for a lower price elsewhere (or it was previously offered at the same retailer), it never hurts to call or chat with a customer service rep and ask if they’ll match the price. You have nothing to lose but time, and there’s always a chance they may find a loophole or make a special exception.
Amazon doesn’t offer price matching. Full stop. You can contact customer support, but even if you’re an Amazon Prime customer, they’re not likely going to help you out.
That said, Amazon does offer a pretty liberal return policy, meaning you can often return an item you purchased from Amazon if it’s available for less elsewhere (or at Amazon). Then, you can just repurchase the product wherever it’s cheapest.
Starting November 7th, Target will extend its price matching policy on eligible items purchased from Target stores or online that drop in price on or before December 24, 2024. Target will also match the price of items purchased from Amazon, Walmart, and a select group of competitors if you ask for it at the time of or within 14 days of your purchase. You must bring the original ad or listing in both instances, whether digital or in print, along with your receipt into the store. Alternatively, you can call for online purchases at 1-800-591-3869 or chat online via contactus.target.com.
Be mindful, however, that Target’s policy excludes doorbusters and competitors’ lightning sales, like those that Amazon offers. It also doesn’t apply to products that require that you log in to see the price, “Marketplace” items from third-party sellers, or lower-priced items purchased from other Target stores.
Best Buy’s Price Match Guarantee states that a product could be eligible for a price reduction if it’s new, identical to the competitor’s product, immediately available at a qualifying competitor’s store or on its site, and not shown on Best Buy’s exclusion list — which includes “items for sale the Thursday before Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving” (November 21st through December 2, 2024). Best Buy also doesn’t price match discounts that are only available as part of a competing retailer’s membership or loyalty rewards program, which disqualifies member-only events like Amazon Prime Day.
To get the difference, you have to contact Best Buy via its on-site chat and be able to show the ad or website with a lower price point. Alternatively, you can call 1-888-237-8289 or visit any Best Buy or Pacific Sales store.
Best Buy will also, upon request, match an in-store or online price that was lowered during the return and exchange period, which typically lasts up to 15 days.
Walmart doesn’t price match the prices of its competitors, though Walmart’s online store offers price matching on items purchased from Walmart stores if the item is in stock at Walmart.com.
However, the policy doesn’t apply to those who live in Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico. Additionally, it doesn’t apply to special event prices, like those seen during Black Friday. Walmart also does not retroactively price match items bought from Walmart.com that have dropped in price after the time of purchase. The retailer additionally doesn’t price match items purchased from Walmart Marketplace retailers or third-party sellers.
While we’ve seen some claims that Apple will price match up to 10 percent for products bought at certain major retailers, there is no official policy on the company’s website.
Apple does say that if it reduces the price of an Apple-branded product within 14 days of when you receive your item, you can visit an Apple Store or contact the Apple Contact Center at 1-800-676-2775 to request a refund or get credit for the price difference. However, that doesn’t apply to special sales like Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
B&H says that it might be able to honor a current lower price or match the price of a competitor, but it does so on a case-by-case basis. You have to contact its customer service team using the on-site chat, email, or by calling 1-800-606-6969 / 1-212-444-6615. If approved, B&H Photo will price match one identical item per customer.
Costco does not price match with competitors. However, according to its website, it will issue a credit for the difference between the price a member has paid and a promotional price if you bought the item online at Costco and requested the credit up to 30 days before the change in price. If you bought the product from a Costco warehouse location, visit the membership counter at the store where you made the purchase. Costco doesn’t price match items bought from Costco warehouses with Costco.com purchases.
Dell will price match identical products from Dell, Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, HP, Apple, Lenovo, and a number of other retailers. You can call 1-877-275-3355 or chat online to run a price check, but you’ll need to provide a link to the competitor’s product.
You can also contact the company about a price difference within 30 days of purchase. However, there is a long list of restrictions, and none of this is available between Thanksgiving Day and the Monday following Thanksgiving (or on Green Monday). Dell also doesn’t match membership-only pricing or the exclusive discounts you’ll find during Prime Big Deal Days or Best Buy’s Member Deals Days.
As a general rule, eBay doesn’t match the prices of purchases made during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. However, it does offer a generous price-matching policy for items bought before or after that period. If you find a lower price from a qualifying competitor on an eBay Deal item that you bought within 48 hours — or on another product with the “Best Price Guarantee” symbol attached to it — you’ll get “110 percent” of the difference. That means eBay will give you an eBay coupon for the difference in price between what you bought the item for and what the competitor is selling it for, plus an additional 10 percent of that price difference. Note, however, that these coupons will expire within 30 days of being issued.
The products must be new, unopened, and identical to the competitor’s item. You have to contact eBay Customer Service, and if they verify your claims are legitimate, you will receive the coupon and be able to use it toward your next eBay purchase.
GameStop does not mention an official price-matching policy on its website. In 2022, however, GameStop tweeted that the store will price match items sold and shipped by Amazon as long as they’re available online or in-store. Although GameStop only mentioned Amazon in the tweet, others have reported that the store will price match items purchased from Target and elsewhere.
If a request is made within the standard return period, Google will match online pricing from select retailers — specifically Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, B&H Photo, and Target. It doesn’t, however, match preorder pricing from other retailers or carrier deals. The product must also be in stock and identical, right down to the color and configuration. Plus, you need to provide a public link to the promo page or product listing to verify the lower price.
Other exclusions apply, too, including limited-time daily or hourly deals; wholesale, business, educational, or member-only pricing; mail-in offers and coupons; product bundles, clearance, and non-new items; and items from third-party sellers on a competitor’s website.
You may also receive the difference if the product you purchased from the Google Store drops in price within the standard return period, though you’ll need to contact Google directly to get the price match or correction.
The Home Depot will match the price of identical, in-stock products from other retailers, except for membership-based wholesalers. The price-match policy does not apply to special events like Black Friday, though, and it doesn’t apply to clearance prices, used and refurbished items, and rebate offers. You must bring the ad or listing with you in-store to the register. (You can also request price matches for online purchases that are shipped to the customer.) Additionally, The Home Depot will only honor requests submitted by the original buyer — no friends or family allowed.
According to HP’s website, the company will match the current pretax price for new comparable PCs and identical HP printer, display, and accessory model numbers from nationally recognized online retailers, such as Dell, Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy. The specs have to be the same to get a price match on PCs, but the product model number does not need to be identical.
You must ask for the match at the time of purchase by calling 1-800-888-0229. You can’t request a price match via email or chat, though, and the policy does not extend to items bought during promotional periods. It also doesn’t apply to membership stores like Costco and Sam’s Club.
HP also offers price protection on the HP-branded products it sells. If a price drops during your return window, you can request an adjustment by emailing myhpsales@hp.com. This doesn’t apply to products purchased during certain promotional events such as Green Monday and products on sale during the week of Thanksgiving and the week after, plus other seasonal holiday sales.
Lenovo matches pricing on comparable PCs from Lenovo, HP, or Dell with the same key specs as long as they’re sold through a list of recognized retailers. That list includes bigger stores such as Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, Newegg, and B&H Photo as well as direct competitors such as Dell and HP. The comparable PC must also be in stock and readily available from both Lenovo and the competing retailer, and you have to contact a Lenovo sales rep with specific details about the specs and availability of the product you’re inquiring about in order to facilitate the match.
That said, you can’t take advantage of coupons or special discounts while receiving a price match, and the policy doesn’t apply to membership stores like Costco. The policy also doesn’t apply to “Marketplace” items where third parties fulfill the order, so double-check that you bought the product directly from the retailer.
Lenovo also offers a price guarantee refund for laptops and personal desktop computers bought from Lenovo.com within 30 days of purchase. To receive a refund, you must contact Customer Care and show the lower price of the identical product offered on Lenovo.com. This policy doesn’t apply to doorbuster or clearance products, however.
Lowe’s will match the price of identical, in-stock products when you present an ad, product listing, or photo from a qualifying online or local retailer, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. The product must be purchased directly from the retailer and not a third-party seller, however, and it doesn’t apply to special sales events like Black Friday and other holiday promotions.
Additionally, Lowe’s doesn’t match prices from one Lowe’s store to another, nor any rebate discounts or those available only to a select group of customers (such as loyalty clubs). To request a price match, you can head to the store, call 1-877-465-6937, or chat online.
Now through January 31st, 2025, Microsoft will refund you the difference if it drops the price of an in-stock physical product purchased from the Microsoft Store. The same policy also applies if you find the identical product on sale at a lower price at a qualifying retailer like Amazon or Best Buy, though it doesn’t extend to the Surface Hub, HoloLens, Windows DevKits, or digital products.
Furthermore, some eligible products have specific retailer exclusions. For example, price matches for Surface products at other retailers are limited to Amazon and Best Buy, while Xbox products are limited to the two aforementioned retailers as well as Target, GameStop, and Walmart.
You’ll need to contact Microsoft’s Sales and Support team at 1-877-696-7786 within 60 days of delivery to request a refund. If you purchase an item from a Microsoft Experience Center, you’ll have to go back to that location with your receipt. In both instances, Microsoft will credit your original payment method the difference between the price you paid and the current lower price, which typically takes between three and five days to process.
Newegg offers price matching on select items; these products are identified by the label “Price Match Guarantee” that appears in the price box on the right side of the product page. This applies whether you find that lower price on Newegg or at what Newegg judges as a major retailer, which includes Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, GameStop, and Sears. The product must be identical, and the match won’t apply to rebates, coupons, or price drops that are only available as part of a retailer’s membership or loyalty program.
You need to notify Newegg of the lower price within 14 days of purchase. You’ll then be issued a credit you can use on the Newegg website, though you’ll only have 90 days to do so. Newegg’s price-match guarantee is not valid during major holiday sales events, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Green Monday.
You can request a price match against other Sam’s Club stores but not competitors. Note that this doesn’t apply to items on markdown or clearance.
Update, October 30th: Added a mention of Black Friday and adjusted the copy to reflect current retailer policies.
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This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent every Friday from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they’re going to change your life. Opt in for Optimizer here.
These days, it seems I cannot escape peptides. Online, I’ve been assaulted by videos of shirtless Chads injecting dubiously sourced bottles of the so-called “Wolverine stack.” On the New York City subway, I’m haunted by Serena Williams’ Ro ads for easy GLP-1 access. Silicon Valley seems to be a parade of peptide parties. In Washington, RFK Jr. has said he’s pro-peptide and wants to expand access. In July, the FDA will meet to possibly reclassify 14 peptides so they can be eligible for compounding.
And in Hollywood, Gwyneth Paltrow — mother Goop, one of the original wellness influencers — is selling a series of peptide skincare products. Except, after some research, I’m not sure Paltrow actually understands what peptides are.
You might be wondering why I’m fixating on a Goop product in Optimizer. The short answer: While researching peptides for a forthcoming feature, I’ve descended into madness.
The longer answer is that peptide mania is central to Silicon Valley’s current fixation with longevity and metabolic optimization. As I’ve recently written, wellness trends increasingly inform new health tech features and gadgets that make up the wearable surveillance state. Peptides are also being framed on social media as an innovation that democratizes healthcare. (A similar rhetoric used to describe wearables!) It’s part of the wellness Wild West feedback loop that’s fueling Silicon Valley’s obsession with self-optimization. With that in mind, it’s worth examining how “peptide washing” has crept into various corners of the internet — and the resulting ripple effects.
While peptide shots are a relatively new trend, we’ve known about peptides and how they work for decades. They’re short chains of amino acids, which, in turn, make up proteins. In other words, building blocks for the building blocks. Because a peptide can be a chain ranging from two to roughly 100 amino acids, there are potentially trillions of peptides. Their main function is to act as messengers for various bodily functions. Some are naturally occurring and often come from the foods you eat. Others are made synthetically in a lab. The most famous ones include insulin and GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound and Mounjaro).
What’s taking social media by storm are peptides that exist in legal gray areas. They’re not widely tested or FDA-approved drugs, and are sometimes sourced from dubious suppliers. I’ve previously written about retatrutide — another popular weight loss peptide — in Optimizer, but there’s a whole slew of others with names that sound vaguely like Star Wars droids. The most popular ones include BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, and CJC1295. These peptides are touted as biohacks for ailments ranging from fat loss and muscle growth, to faster wound healing, anti-aging, and increased energy. Essentially, everything associated with living a longer, healthier life. Lumped alongside these is NAD+, which is not a peptide but is often marketed as one. That’s partly because it’s frequently consumed as an IV drip and is thus an injectable substance.
But just because you can inject something, that doesn’t make it a peptide.
Do you have experience using peptides?
Or extremely strong feelings about this trend? I’m researching this phenomenon and I’d love to chat with you. Hit me up at victoria.song@theverge.com or on Signal at @ vicmsong.14.
NAD stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It’s a coenzyme — basically an enzyme booster — that’s found in every cell. Its primary job is to help convert food into energy. It does this by shuttling electrons from one chemical reaction to another. As you age, your NAD levels naturally decline. This can lead to an array of conditions associated with aging, like Type 2 diabetes, lower energy levels, and saggy skin. Not to get too weedsy, but the + in NAD+ simply denotes one of two versions of the NAD molecule. (The other is NADH.)
Which, finally, brings me to the Goop Youth Boost NAD+ Peptide Rich Cream and whether Gwyneth Paltrow actually knows what a peptide is.
In my research, I was looking into influential people who have spoken out about peptide injections. There’s a long list, but in Hollywood, Paltrow’s name kept popping up. Cue this recent Elle interview, in which Paltrow plays a “fuck, marry, kill” game with wellness trends.
From the get-go, the Elle article incorrectly identifies NAD+ as a peptide. Paltrow is then quoted as saying she uses NAD+ IV drips and an injectable NAD+ pen for impromptu energy boosts. She goes on to say that injectable peptides dealing with inflammation and brain health that are “being formulated for longevity” will be the next NAD+. In the fuck, marry, kill game, Paltrow is asked to choose between NAD+, B12, and peptide shots. She refuses, saying she’d marry them all.
What’s worrisome is the conflation of these treatments, even though they’re three separate things. It’s easy for the average person to read this article and think, “NAD+ is a type of peptide shot and a rich, glamorous celebrity like Gwyneth Paltrow does it, so this must be their secret to looking good.”
(For the curious: B12 is a vitamin. Supplementation can boost energy if you have a B12 deficiency, which is relatively common in the elderly, vegetarian, and vegan populations. As for NAD+, there’s considerable research interest, but limited clinical evidence for drips or supplements at the moment. I wrote a whole Optimizer newsletter about dubious peptide shots.)
From this interview, I get the sense that Paltrow knows that peptides are trendy, but she doesn’t actually admit to using any specific one. After some more digging, I found she has stated that she loves glutathione IV drips. Now, that is a peptide. However, she characterized her usage as “I love IV drips!” so, again, I’m not sure if Paltrow is aware that IV drips and peptides are not the same thing. Upon looking into her “peptide-rich” moisturizer, I’m even less certain.
Calling it a “Youth Boost NAD+ Peptide Rich Cream” would suggest this $105 moisturizer has both NAD+ and a bunch of peptides. Peruse the ingredient list, and you’ll find it doesn’t even have NAD+. It has NMN, or nicotinamide mononucleotide, a precursor (another kind of building block) for NAD+. As for its peptide content, the marketing claims the cream features “biomimetic plant-derived peptides.” Again, the list only refers to one true peptide molecule: arginine/lysine polypeptide. (A polypeptide is a longer peptide; this one supposedly helps with wrinkles.) It also appears last. In skincare, the ingredient list is generally ordered in terms of concentration. The top three to five ingredients make up the bulk of the formula. One hack is to find the so-called “one percent line”, which you can estimate from when the first preservative or fragrance appears. Given how this list is written, this is a standard moisturizer with a teeny sprinkle of a single peptide thrown in for marketing flavor. Even if there was a more potent amount, peptides are delicate molecules. Effectiveness for any topical skincare active — be it peptides or salmon sperm DNA — depends on stable formulation, concentration, whether the molecule can penetrate the skin barrier, and packaging that prevents degradation.
In any case, I reached out to Goop to clarify the peptide content in this cream. I have not heard back.
The only thing I can conclude is Paltrow isn’t afraid to try fringe wellness trends. (That and she loves an IV drip.) If someone handed her a peptide shot with the promise of energy and youth, I’d bet she’d do it. But do I think a peptide-curious person could ask her to explain the pros and cons of this trend based on her public statements? Now that’s a bet I would not take.
I could be wrong. In which case, I find her statements and her moisturizer to be disappointing given her status and influence. Case in point, the average person likely isn’t going to go through the trouble of accessing gray market peptide vials. They probably won’t be able to afford the same quality treatments as Paltrow, either. But a so-called peptide cream from a celebrity? That’s easily accessible. And in this particular case, that consumer wouldn’t be getting much of the thing they purportedly want to try.
More concerning is the flattening of any injectable as a peptide. Paltrow showing up to a podcast with an IV drip, speaking of peptides, phospholipids, and regular vitamins in a single breath? That’s confusing. It conflates relatively harmless therapies — like vitamin supplementation — with those that aren’t as well-studied. And the more influential people do this, the more regular people will too.
Peptides aren’t inherently dangerous. Injections aren’t evil. But the way peptide mania has made a more extreme, experimental trend as casual as taking a multivitamin? That feels like the slipperiest of slopes.
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A new move from the Federal Communications Commission is being framed as a national security step. But if you already have a router at home, the bigger question is simple: how long will it keep getting security updates?
The FCC recently updated its “Covered List” to include routers produced in foreign countries, which blocks new models of that covered equipment from being approved for sale in the U.S.
At the same time, the FCC made something else clear. This change does not affect routers you already own, and it does not stop retailers from continuing to sell models that were previously approved.
So nothing shuts off overnight. However, the policy introduces a new layer of uncertainty around how long some devices will continue receiving updates.
IS YOUR HOME WI-FI REALLY SAFE? THINK AGAIN
The FCC’s router move targets future approvals, not the device already running your home Wi-Fi. Existing models can still be used and sold while update rules keep evolving. (kazakova0684/Getty Images)
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What the FCC router rule actually changed
The policy focuses on future device approvals, not the devices already in your home.
Here is what the FCC says in plain terms:
- Existing routers can still be used
- Previously approved models can still be sold and imported
- New covered models cannot receive FCC authorization
This action is tied to national security concerns about supply chain risks, not a product-by-product security test of individual routers. The key takeaway is this: your current router is not banned, recalled or disabled.
Why the FCC router rule raises update concerns
The real issue is not about using your router today. It is about future software and firmware updates. Alongside the policy change, the FCC issued a temporary waiver. That waiver allows existing routers to continue receiving updates that patch vulnerabilities, maintain functionality and ensure compatibility with operating systems. Right now, that waiver runs through at least March 1, 2027.
That date is not a guaranteed cutoff. The FCC has said it will re-evaluate the policy before then and may extend or modify the waiver. So the situation is still evolving.
How the FCC router rule could affect your router security
Your router is the gateway to everything connected in your home. Phones, laptops, smart TVs and cameras all depend on it. When a vulnerability is discovered, a software update is usually what fixes it.
If updates slow down or stop, the risk builds over time. That does not mean your router suddenly becomes unsafe. But it can become easier for attackers to exploit known flaws.
Even the FCC acknowledged this in its waiver, noting that continued updates help mitigate harm to consumers and support essential security functions. So the concern is not immediate. It is about what happens over time if support policies change.
BROWSER EXTENSIONS PUT MILLIONS OF GOOGLE CHROME USERS AT RISK
The FCC says home routers already in use can stay in use, but future support for some models now depends on waivers and conditional approvals. (deepblue4you/Getty Images)
Why the FCC is making exceptions for some routers
One important wrinkle is that the FCC has already begun granting conditional approvals for some devices. In April 2026, the agency approved certain products from NETGEAR and Adtran to continue operating under specific conditions through October 1, 2027.
That shows this is not a one-size-fits-all rule. Instead, it is an evolving policy where some devices may continue receiving support while others may face tighter restrictions.
What the FCC says about router risks and next steps
The FCC says the decision is based on national security concerns, including supply chain vulnerabilities and potential cybersecurity risks tied to certain foreign-produced equipment.
At the same time, the policy includes a path for exceptions. Companies can seek conditional approvals through federal agencies, and regulators can revisit the rules as more information becomes available.
That means the final impact will likely depend on how those decisions play out over time.
8 ways to protect your network after the FCC router rule
Until there is more clarity, a few simple steps can help keep your home network secure.
1) Check how long your router is supported
First, find your router’s exact model number. You can usually see it on a label on the bottom or back of the device. Next, go to the manufacturer’s website, such as NETGEAR, Linksys or TP-Link, and search for that model. Open its support page and look for sections like Support, Downloads, Firmware or End of Life. Then, check for a support timeline, the date of the most recent firmware update or any notes saying the product is no longer supported. If you cannot find clear information, that is a warning sign that your router may not receive regular security updates.
2) Keep your router updated
Next, log into your router settings. To do this, open a web browser and type your router’s IP address into the address bar. Common ones include 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Then sign in using your admin username and password. Once you are in, look for sections labeled Firmware, Software Update or Administration. Check for available updates and install them if needed. If your router supports automatic updates, turn that on. This helps close security gaps quickly without you having to check manually. If you are not sure where to find these settings, you can also use your router’s mobile app if it has one, which often makes updates easier.
GET FASTER WI-FI WITH THESE SIMPLE HOME FIXES
Security updates remain the key protection for home routers as the FCC blocks new authorizations for covered foreign-produced models. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
3) Plan ahead for replacement
If your router is already a few years old, start planning for a replacement. Do not wait until updates stop. Instead, look for models with clearly stated support timelines. Check out our picks for the Top Routers for best security at cyberguy.com
4) Secure your devices as a backup layer
Your router is the first line of defense. However, your devices matter too. Keep your phone, computer and tablet updated. Also, use strong antivirus software to help catch threats that slip through. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
5) Review connected devices
From time to time, check what is connected to your network. You can do this in your router settings under “Connected Devices” or in your router’s app. If you see anything unfamiliar, remove it right away.
6) Use strong passwords
Create a strong Wi-Fi password and a separate admin password for your router. Avoid using default credentials. A password manager can help you generate and store secure logins. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com
7) Turn off remote access
First, log into your router settings using a web browser. Type your router’s IP address, such as 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, into the address bar and sign in with your admin credentials. Next, look for settings labeled Remote Access, Remote Management, Web Access from WAN, or Cloud Access. These are often found under sections like Advanced, Administration or Security. Then, turn that setting off and save your changes. This prevents your router from being accessed from outside your home network. If you cannot find the option, check your router’s mobile app or the manufacturer’s support page. Some routers hide this setting or disable it by default.
8) Restart your router regularly
First, unplug your router from the power outlet. Wait about 30 seconds to let it fully shut down. Next, plug it back in and wait a few minutes for it to reconnect to the internet. You can also restart your router through its settings. Log in, then look for options like Reboot or Restart under sections such as Administration or System. Doing this every few weeks can help apply updates and clear temporary issues that may affect performance or security. If your router supports scheduled reboots, you can turn that on to automate the process.
Kurt’s key takeaway
This is not a situation where your internet suddenly becomes unsafe. There is no recall. There is no shutdown. Your router will not stop working on a specific date. However, there is a new question mark that did not exist before. The Federal Communications Commission has created a system where future updates for some devices could depend on how the rules evolve. That puts more importance on something most people rarely think about: how long their router will stay supported. For now, you still have time. The current waiver runs into 2027, and regulators have signaled they may revisit the policy before then. The smart move is simple. Know what you own, keep it updated and stay aware as this situation develops.
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As policies around your home tech change, how much responsibility should fall on regulators versus the companies that keep your devices updated? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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On or about January 6, 2026, for example, VAN DYKE asked Polymarket to delete his Polymarket account, falsely claiming that he had lost access to the email address to which the account had been associated. That same day, VAN DYKE changed the email registered to his cryptocurrency exchange account to an email address that was not subscribed to in his name, which email address was created on or about December 14., 2025.
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