| It doesn't matter what kind of Internet you have, cable, | | | | are a lot of people using the same wireless internet, |
| DSL, dial-up, or even fiber-optic. There are going to be | | | | that will also reduce your speed because the modem |
| times when your Internet speed will be so slow it's | | | | can only take so much. |
| laughable. My job is to show you what sort of things | | | | The two most common reasons for slow Internet |
| usually go wrong, and to teach you what you can do | | | | speed are caused by spyware, and viruses. Spyware |
| to correct them and get the highest speed possible out | | | | are little bits of programming that can monitor where |
| of your Internet connection. | | | | you go on the internet, as well as record your |
| The first thing you should obviously look at is the type | | | | keystrokes thereby stealing valuable information like |
| of Internet connection that you have. The most | | | | passwords to bank accounts. Spyware can also slow |
| common types are Dial-up, DSL, and Cable, increasing | | | | your Internet speed by messing with the Internet |
| in speed respectively. If you use dial-up, there are two | | | | browser and taking control over your Internet |
| ways to make sure you're getting the most out of | | | | connection. This problem is increased exponentially |
| your connection. Make sure that you have a 56k | | | | when there are several spyware programs running at |
| modem installed. This means that your modem will | | | | the same time, which can cause you to lose your |
| send and receive info at a rate of 56 kilobits per | | | | connection completely. The best thing that you can do |
| second, or Kbps. You usually won't get the full 56k, but | | | | to combat this threat is to run an anti-spyware |
| most of the time you will reach somewhere between | | | | program at least once a week. |
| 45-50 Kbps. | | | | The common computer virus is also a concern when it |
| The second thing you should do is check to make sure | | | | comes to slow Internet speed. Viruses are programs |
| that your phone line is in good condition. If it is old and | | | | that can hide in anything, and if they get a hold of your |
| deteriorating, then you will most likely pick up stray | | | | computer, can replicate themselves hundreds of times |
| signals and cross talk from other lines, which will slow | | | | over, and send copies of itself through the email |
| your Internet speed because the modem must resend | | | | system. They can do this hundreds of times per |
| the information again and again until it can go through | | | | minute, which drastically reduces your computing and |
| uninterrupted. | | | | Internet speed. The worst part about a virus is that it |
| If you're trying to connect wirelessly, there are two | | | | will do all of this, and you won't even know it's running. |
| major factors that play a role on the speed. The first is | | | | So to prevent this from happening, make sure to run a |
| proximity. The farther away from the hub, or signal, | | | | anti-virus software along with your anti-spyware |
| you are the slower your Internet becomes, so make | | | | software at least once a week. |
| sure you don't stray too far away! Secondly, if there | | | | |