​How to maximize the speed of your Internet connection?

Not all of us are tech savvy or capable of dealing alone with all the geeky things. Therefore we rely on others (friends or professionals) to give us the help we need. We tend to believe that if our Internet speed is slow it must be due to our Internet broadband provider. In some cases this may be accurate, but there are also factors within our control that may have an impact on the speed. Things like our computer settings, modem and router, the age of our PC, they all have a saying in it.

By following a few simple steps that do not require having a background in IT, you can improve the performance and finally see that the download speeds match the speeds you should be getting.

Here are some of suggestions you should try at first:

• Test your speed. There are a lot of speed tests that you can find online. I personally prefer using Ookla - a global leader in broadband testing.
• Compare the results with your Internet plan.
• Reset your modem and your router.
• Check for sources of interference like cell phones, microphones, baby monitors or other wireless devices. In order to minimize the interference turn them off whenever you do not need them.
• Check to see if you reached a data cap (data usage plan) by consulting with your ISP if you went over your monthly allowance.
• Troubleshooting over the phone is always a good idea. The problem might not always be on your end. Or some issues may be resolved without having a line technician coming over.
• See what is the percentage of bandwidth usage of the other users.
• Move your wireless router closer to the computer.

Once you accomplished all of the above, you should optimize your computer and network by performing the next actions:

• Run virus scans weekly in order to prevent risking your identity, losing your files and having a lower speed.
• Install at least one malware program and run scans weekly. They are designed to detect and remove any invasive programs.
• Remove excess toolbars. The speed of your browser can be enhanced by removing the additional toolbars you may have installed earlier.
• Change browsers to Chrome and Opera, which are far more faster than the rest.
• Do a regular disk defragmentation and run a Disk CleanUp. This step requires the help of a geeky friend or a technician!
• Clear browsing data in order to optimize your cache.
• Start using the Task Manager more often (by pressing the keys Ctrl + Alt +Delete simultaneously) and close any programs you don’t need.
• Uninstall unnecessary programs or applications. A great number of tutorials are available online for programs in Windows or OS X.
• Check for firmware updates that you can download for free from your router’s manufacturer website. Some devices may perform this task automatically, others may not.

Ultimately you may need to upgrade your hardware (computer, router, modem cable). If your PC or laptop is old, the Internet speed will be slow. Depending on your budget, you can either purchase a new piece of equipment or choose to install more or better RAM on your computer.

Upgrading the router to a newer and more performant model, along with replacing the old modem cable might help as well. Another suggestion would be to use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi. It will definitely lead to higher speeds and less interferences.