Ever wondered how to get faster internet? This article is for you.
The internet has come a long way since the days of dial-up connections and slow-to-load web pages. Recent technology advances make internet speeds faster than ever. Information is accessible in an instant—which is why it’s so frustrating when a slow internet connection forces you to wait for information to load.
Between streaming online entertainment and multitasking to get your work done, you need fast internet. Start with the following five tips, and you’ll never Google “how to get fast internet” again.
1. Check for Router Obstructions
Regardless of your Wi-Fi network, obstructions in your home or poor placement of your wireless router can weaken your signal strength. Objects such as metal studs, stone, brick, glass, or lots of floors and walls between your computer and router can interfere with your signal.
The first step to faster internet is to place your router in a centralized location so all rooms in your home have better access to the signal. If you can’t put the router in an easily accessible spot, remove as many obstructions as possible to enhance your connection.
If you’re still experiencing slow internet speeds, try switching up the location of your router to see what works best. Placing your router up high in a central location (such as your living room) is ideal. Avoid areas with lots of windows or metal appliances (especially the kitchen).
2. Secure Your Network
People can steal your bandwidth—and slow down your internet—without you even knowing it, especially if you didn’t set up your wireless router correctly. If your network isn’t secure, anyone within its range could be using your internet signal.
To make your internet speed faster and prevent others from using your internet without permission, log into your router settings, disable network sharing settings, and add a password to protect your signal.
Choosing a strong WPA or WPA2 password is especially important—the longer and less obvious the better. Consider including several numbers and symbols and periodically changing passwords to keep hackers and unwanted users at bay.
Other steps include hiding your network name, creating a separate network for guest usage, installing a firewall to prevent viruses, and using a virtual private network (or VPN) to encrypt all your private information.
3. Check Auto-Updating Programs
As you work, your computer runs multiple programs and apps in the background. Automatic 
updates to these programs could slow down your speed without your knowledge.
If your connection is slow, start Task Manager on your PC or Activity Monitor on your Mac to examine which programs are running in the background and pinpoint where the slowdown is happening.
4. Scan for Malware
After you’ve checked your system for speed-stealing programs, scan your system for viruses. Malware can hog your bandwidth and send virus-embedded emails and other infectious information to others, clogging up your internet in the process.
Signs your computer has a virus include slow internet, random pop-up messages, an over-worked hard drive, and programs starting by themselves. To remove the malware, turn your computer off and on, enter Safe Mode, delete all Temporary Files, and download a virus scanner. When in doubt, call an expert.
Removing malware protects your private information and makes your internet noticeably faster in seconds.
5. Optimize Your Web Browser
Consider using a web browser optimized for fast internet. Browsers such as Firefox provide extensions to stop ads and pop-ups that cause internet lag. Chrome uses minimal memory and doesn’t require Flash and JavaScript, which also slow down your bandwidth. These browsers save on internet usage so you can work faster, and they regularly release new versions to make your internet faster and up to date.
Frequently clearing your browsing cache and cookies is another easy way to improve your internet speed. If the browser you’re currently using seems consistently slow, consider switching to a new one to see if that fixes the problem.
Life moves fast, and you don’t want to wait for your internet to catch up. What makes your internet faster? Following these tips or switching to a faster AT&T Internet plan to ensure you get all the bandwidth you pay for.