internet connection – PSafe Blog

How Can You Boost Your Wi-Fi Connectivity?

PSafe Newsroom — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 20:00:25 +0000

There are few things in modern life more frustrating than a slow Wi-Fi connection. Luckily, there are a few different ways that you can improve your Wi-Fi so that you no longer experience lagging or crashing. Before you try some of the below methods for boosting your Wi-Fi connection, you should first use the Wi-Fi Check feature. Click here to check the status of your Wi-Fi:

Wi-Fi Check will check your network speed, download speed, DNS security, and network security to ensure that your Wi-Fi is behaving normally. You’ll be able to quickly see whether or not your Wi-Fi is working at the speed it should be. If it isn’t, try one of the below methods to boost your Wi-Fi connection.

Move Your Wi-Fi Router

Many people like to keep their routers hidden or on the floor, which can greatly interfere with your’s Wi-Fi’s signal strength. Your Wi-Fi router should be in a central position in your home, preferably on an open, top shelf that doesn’t interfere with the signal. Your router should also be located away from household appliances such as microwaves and telephones.

Reset and Update Your Router

If you want to improve your Wi-Fi connection, then you should make sure that your router’s software is up to date. You should also reset your router now and then, on a daily or weekly basis. This should help to clear up many of your connectivity issues. It’s also usually the first step that customer support asks you to take when you’re having Wi-Fi trouble.

Extend Your Wi-Fi Signal

If you live in a big home, then your router may not be able to reach certain parts of the home, no matter how much you try to find the perfect location. Consider purchasing a Wi-Fi range extender to boost your signal in rooms that are farther from the router. These usually cost anywhere between $20-$80.

Change the Antennas on Your Router

For the strongest Wi-Fi connection for all of your devices, your router’s antennas should be in a perpendicular position. This will help to boost the signal on your PC and mobile devices.

Is Your Carrier Slowing Down Your Internet Connection?

PSafe Newsroom — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 16:00:47 +0000

Lately, your Internet connection has been so slow that you’re not able to access a web page or load an app. What gives? Before blaming your mobile carrier, try boosting your Internet with the Accelerate Internet feature. Accelerate Internet will speed up your Internet connection by closing apps that are running in the background of your phone. This will allow your phone to concentrate on the current task you want to perform, as opposed to a bunch of other tasks that slow down things, such as refreshing your apps. Click here to quickly speed up your connection:

If you are experiencing a prolonged, unusually slow Internet connection whenever you’re not on Wi-Fi, then your mobile carrier could be at fault for your slow Internet speed. The following are some reasons you might be experiencing slower Internet.

You’re Guaranteed Only So Much Full-Speed Data Per Month

Many of the major carriers (such as AT&T and Verizon) offer “unlimited” monthly data — to an extent. For example, Verizon and AT&T offer full-speed data for the first 22GB that you use. After that, they will slow down your connection until the next billing cycle. If your Internet connection has slowed dramatically all of a sudden, then this could be why. Check your monthly data usage to see if your carrier is responsible for your slow Internet.

You’re Using an Alternative Mobile Carrier

Alternative mobile carriers are often cheaper than the mobile carriers that dominate the market. A plan from an alternative mobile carrier may be cheaper, but you’ll likely sacrifice some of the benefits of using one of the big carriers. Alternative mobile carriers typically buy access to one of the three main carriers’ networks, and then resell that network space at a discounted rate to customers. Because of that, service for an AT&T customer, for example, will be a priority over service for a Cricket Wireless customer.

In exchange for a cheaper plan, you may experience poor quality service, especially during peak usage times or an emergency situation. These alternative carriers are also not responsible for the quality of your service — it’s right there in your contract when you sign up. If you’ve been experiencing poor service regularly with your carrier, then it may be time to switch it up. There are plenty of more affordable mobile carriers with better service (like Project Fi or Sprint) — you just need to find one that works best in your area and for your needs.

Here’s Why You Have to Use Airplane Mode on an Airplane

PSafe Newsroom — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 20:00:31 +0000

Every time you fly on an airplane, you’re likely told by flight staff to put your device on “airplane mode,” or else to turn it off completely. That means that you’ll likely be stuck connecting to the airplane’s Wi-Fi if you want to get online. Diagnose your Wi-Fi’s speed and security after you join to ensure that you’ll have a pleasant and safe online experience:

Your phone’s cellular capabilities are instantly disabled once your phone goes into airplane mode. But have you ever wondered why this feature must be disabled while you fly? Is there a real reason why you have to disable the main function of your phone, or is it based on something unfounded?

The Truth Behind Airplane Mode

Your phone’s major function is shut down in airplane mode. Your device will stop receiving signals from the cell towers. You won’t be able to get that text message or make a phone call. You also won’t be able to browse the Internet, check your email, or look at Facebook. It will be obvious when airplane mode is on because you will be left with basic functions and whatever mobile apps can function in offline mode. An airplane icon will appear in your sticky header.

Every phone in the air would have to expand its signal so it could reach the cell towers below. While it would drain your battery, and fast, the big issue is that the communication could wreak havoc on your airplane’s sensors. That’s the last thing you want when you are 30,000 feet in the air. If everyone on your flight were using their cellphones normally, that would greatly interfere with normal radio operations and your pilot’s ability to land a plane during bad weather.

Airplane Mode Woes

Federal regulators recently withdrew a proposal that would allow airline passengers the use of their cell phones even while flying at high altitudes. It would have meant the end of passengers having to rely solely on flight Wi-Fi. The public and airlines responded in mutual agreement.

In the words of one opponent, Clair Allyn, a Missouri resident who filed with the US Department of Transportation, “The use of cellphones on airplanes would be cruel. Can you imagine sitting next to a loud aggressive person talking to someone for one hour or two hours or three hours?” It’s a valid point, and a shared sentiment with a large number of opponents. You’ll be relying on airplane mode and in-flight Wi-Fi for now. At least now you understand some of the reasons why.

How to Speed Up Your Internet Connection

PSafe Newsroom — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 03:00:56 +0000

A slow internet connection makes the simple act of checking an email feel like an ordeal. Pick up the pace! Follow these tips to increase your speed, up your megabytes per second, and get back to binge-watching Game of Thrones that much faster.

Try a Different Web Browser

Internet Explorer may be a well-known name, but it can be a bit of a resource hog. Technology has come a long way since the early days of the internet. With so much more to load nowadays, look for other web browsers that use less memory, like Google Chrome, or that take advantage of compression technology to help slow internet connections, like Opera.

Whittle Down the Extras

Plugins and add-ons make web browsing more fun – but they also tack on page load time. Get rid of the skins, themes, and any extensions you are no longer using. Disabling these programs varies from browser to browser but it’s worth it.

Install PSafe Total Windows

Working, shopping, and playing games online can come at a price. Don’t leave your web browsing experience unprotected. Install PSafe Total Windows to keep your computer free of viruses and malware. Scan your computer and make sure that unwanted and malicious programs aren’t slowing it down.

Consider a VPN

A virtual private network could be the answer if your internet speed is anything but fast. If you spend a lot of time online, then your Internet Service Provider (ISP) could be using traffic shaping to decrease your internet speed for some of your online activities. A VPN encrypts your data so your ISP can’t tell what you are doing and can help you experience balanced speed in all your web browsing activities.

Tab Overload

Do you keep tons of tabs open? If so, you need to tone it down. Too many tabs equals a lot of resources and a slower system – especially for websites that automatically refresh, like Twitter and Facebook. Keep the tabs to a minimum to receive an internet boost.

Broadband Draining Programs

Some programs just want it all. If you have multiple programs running in the background and opening on startup, consider if it is really necessary. PSafe Total Windows is necessary, but that torrent client and other similar resource hogs have got to go.

Speed up Your Internet

Help your internet work for you. Follow the tips above to receive a better connection every time. Trust PSafe Total Windows to help your laptop or desktop feel like new again.