10 Hacks to Get Faster Internet

Try these hacks first before you lose your cool

Slow Internet is a peeve of many, especially when you’re trying to get some work done or catching up with a friend from the other side of the world. But before you yell or assault your computer and slam on the keyboard or that mouse, we suggest you take a deep breath and try out these hacks.

Check background activity

Sometimes Internet connection slows down because something else is sharing your connection, like another browser window with a bazillion tabs or an ongoing system update.

Keep it simple.

Speed up your connection and computer by disabling fancy effects. Switching them off allows your computer to focus on more important things, like opening web pages or downloading important files.

Update that browser. 

You can’t expect to enjoy all kinds of new content (yay time-lapse videos!) if you’re running on an old browser. Install the latest version and you’ll notice quite an improvement in performance.

Get a powerful antivirus.

This is pretty basic stuff. Get. Rid. Of. That. Virus. Worm. What you. Now.

Pro-tip: There are free and effective programs you can use, like Avast! for Windows and Sophos for Mac. We promise, they’re clean, legit and used worldwide. Do extra research if you’re having doubts.

Free up space. 

A little spring-cleaning every so often never hurt anyone. Make an effort to delete temporary Internet data and your search history from time to time. Uninstall programs you no longer use while you’re at it.

Check your Internet speed.

Buffer-free streaming on less than 5 Mbps? Not going to happen. Learn more about Internet speed here.

Get an upgrade.

Again, if you want to do more online, like stream videos and get into e-sports simultaneously, you’ve got to update your plan. You’ll need about 10 to 15 Mbps for streaming alone and about 50 to 100 Mbps for gaming. Want to do both? Then upgrade to a 200 Mbps or more.

Hit restart.

Sometimes we forget that our gadgets need a bit of a break, too. Restart your modem and router to help alleviate some network issues and prevent overheating.

It’s all about location.

A poor signal can lead to low speed or dropped connections, especially if you connect online via a Wi-Fi router. Move it closer to your workspace, work near it or get another router for the second floor of your home.

Pro-tip: Make sure to clean out dust from your router and modem using a clean cloth and a can of compressed air. This helps improve stability as well as prevent overheating.

The ultimate upgrade.

If all else fails, then it might be time to get a new computer/modem/router. Old devices may not be optimized to handle all the jazzy new things the Internet has to offer (especially if you’re computer is more than 5 years old). Budget constraints? Try using a different operating system. Good luck!

This article was originally published on GoGlobe