Router reboot & security FAQ
Straight answers about the 2026 NSA warning, why reboots help, and how Keep Connect keeps you online and protected.
Why is the NSA telling everyone to reboot their router?
In April 2026, U.S. agencies disrupted a network of home and small-office routers that had been hijacked by a Russian military intelligence unit (the GRU, tracked as APT28 / Fancy Bear). The NSA and FBI urged the public to reboot routers regularly because a restart clears malware that hides in the router's memory and cuts off the connections attackers depend on. Read the full breakdown ›
How often should I reboot my router?
The NSA recommends weekly reboots at a minimum. Rebooting more frequently is perfectly fine and can also help with everyday connection slowdowns. Because a weekly manual reboot is easy to forget, a Keep Connect rebooter can run the schedule for you automatically.
Does rebooting a router actually remove malware?
Often, yes — for the type of threat in the news. A lot of router malware lives only in memory (RAM), so power-cycling the device wipes it out and drops the attacker's temporary connections. It's not a guaranteed fix: if your router has an unpatched vulnerability it can be re-infected, which is why the NSA pairs "reboot regularly" with "update firmware" and "replace unsupported devices." See our full checklist.
What exactly is a Keep Connect rebooter?
It's a small device that plugs into your wall outlet, with your router or modem plugged into it. Keep Connect continuously checks that your internet is working. It power-cycles your router automatically on a schedule you set — or the instant your connection drops — and then texts or emails you that it happened. No more crawling behind the TV to unplug things.
Do I need an app or a subscription?
No app and no subscription are required. You set everything up in a normal web browser by connecting to Keep Connect once. If you'd like remote access, ISP-outage notifications or to manage several locations, an optional Keep Connect Cloud plan is available.
What's the difference between Keep Connect and Keep Connect MAX?
Keep Connect ($49.99) is the compact everyday model — it monitors your connection and reboots automatically, and its small footprint fits tight outlet spaces. Great for apartments, small homes and smart-home setups.
Keep Connect MAX ($74.99) adds advanced custom monitoring (specific URLs and reboot rules), can reboot both a router and a modem, and is built for whole homes, businesses and remote or critical locations. Compare them side by side ›
Will it work with my router or my ISP's modem?
Yes. Keep Connect works with virtually any router, modem or combo gateway, including equipment provided by your internet service provider. It controls the power to whatever you plug into it and then confirms your internet has come back online.
Is rebooting safe for my equipment?
Yes. A power-cycle reboot is the same thing you do when you unplug and replug your router — a normal, manufacturer-supported action. Keep Connect waits a moment between powering down and back up, just as you would by hand.
Where can I buy Keep Connect?
Directly from the Keep Connect store by Johnson Creative with free U.S. shipping, and also on Amazon, Walmart and eBay. Use the buttons on our rebooters page to go straight to checkout.