Everyone knows that having slow internet speeds is a hassle. Whether you’re working from home or studying, slow internet speeds can prevent you from performing necessary online tasks. If you’re currently facing this issue, then you’re not alone. Throw in the fact that many people work from anywhere, and have trouble keeping up with their schoolwork and social media accounts, and it can be challenging to keep your business operating smoothly. The problem? It has become painfully obvious that there are ways to make sure that your computer functions as well as possible.


Below, we’ll talk about some of the best practices that you can use to improve your internet speed and performance for both mobile devices (i.e., smartphones) and desktop computers. We’ll also show you how to optimize your connection and help you get back on track with your studies.

1. Use a VPN

A Virtual Private Network, otherwise known as a VPN, provides users with an encrypted link between two separate locations. With a proper VPN, you can use public Wi-Fi hotspots such as cafes, coffee shops, or libraries without worry if anyone is snooping on what you’re doing.

To use one, you’ll just need to download a free program that allows for encryption, either by default or using its built-in options. While most programs provide basic connections, others may offer services for specific protocols such as Netflix. You can find out whether and which ones are compatible with your device by checking our article on selecting the right VPN provider for you. Once you have verified that a program is compatible with your settings, open the software and select “connect.” Alternatively, you can sign up for a service through Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari Web Store, etc. In any case, once you’ve connected to the server, use your own IP address when browsing to avoid potential problems.



2. Disable Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Directly

Bluetooth and WiFi come bundled with your current router, but they can do more harm than good if you don’t properly switch them off. Connected laptops work fine by default but those without a cable connection might struggle to connect at times. To disable these features, head into your network setting, go over the list of devices connected, and check the box next to “enable remote.” This will allow for your devices to automatically reconnect each time you turn them on.

Wi-Fi Direct works similarly to a Wi-Fi signal; however, it does no longer automatically work after being disconnected, so you’ll still have to manually enable it. Go ahead and restart your PC to see if things work correctly. On the other hand, disabling Bluetooth requires you to purchase a standalone USB dongle, so make sure that you’ve got sufficient storage space available before heading out the door. However, if you do choose to install one, ensure that it’s turned on (otherwise it wouldn’t connect to anything). Lastly, remember that turning your laptop on takes away access to important productivity apps such as Google Drive or Dropbox so set them to hibernate to save them, too.



3. Get A Great Antivirus Program

Without getting attacked by viruses and malware, you’re less likely to experience long delays in your internet speeds. Don’t be afraid of installing antivirus software—there are plenty available. One popular option is Norton 360, although you should know how strong it really is since cyber criminals often target businesses that are less secure than their personal lives. Another popular option is Avast Ultra. Though these tools won’t catch everything, it’s worth taking advantage of them if you ever suspect a virus. Unfortunately, some anti-virus programs also collect private information, whereas the majority of them only contain data like a website’s URL, browser, device ID, etc. Keeping your privacy settings on high would make life much easier. For now, though, consider signing up for whichever security app you’ve chosen. Even better, it could come in handy if it helps you locate malicious files or spyware before they take hold completely. Just make sure that you don’t remove any programs, because doing so would delete all your progress in recovering from attacks.


4. Update Yourself Regularly

For years, companies and institutions have used cheap internet bandwidth to spread word online. But it’s hard for us to imagine that every single person who uses those resources is truly satisfied. That’s why it’s vital that your ISP regularly checks to ensure it keeps up with the demand of subscribers. As part of that process, it ensures that all your equipment is functioning efficiently and it shouldn’t lag behind a scheduled refresh of old files.

The first thing you should do is schedule a system backup in advance. When your machine is in the middle of something difficult, you want to minimize disruptions and protect your systems against accidental loss. Most ISPs offer cloud backups for small businesses so you can store critical data in a safe place. There are even specialized options for large organizations that allow you to create backups as needed, though this feature isn’t typically available for individual households.

Next, you need to regularly update your software. Installing new versions on your servers will improve your overall performance and keep up with future needs (which can always be better). Keep in mind that older versions should be frequently replaced and updated. These days, you don’t have to think twice about updating your software, thanks to easy mobile upgrades. Simply open the search bar on Windows to get assistance on finding the latest version from trusted sources.



5. Monitor Traffic & Utilize Bandwidth Limiting Tools

Many ISPs will give you suggestions on limiting usage based on previous user behavior. Be sure that you understand what you’re agreeing to and look for signs of poor internet connectivity. Look out for websites with lags, suspicious uploads, random websites that are trying to load quickly, websites loaded slowly despite the request and so on, and report suspected issues immediately. All this way, you’ll have proof that your ISP is following through and making sure everyone has stable internet.



6. Make Sure That All Devices Are Compatible

Many modern phones come pre-loaded with software, allowing them to automatically adapt to whatever protocol you’ll soon be using, meaning that all your equipment runs seamlessly together. Some manufacturers also include web browsers in their standard phone models that are usually accessible through your regular broadband provider, so make use of this. Other manufacturers have released various add-ons and extensions (such as Adobe Flash Player, Java ME Launcher, Spotify Music Streaming App, or Discord Client), which should also make accessing the same content much easier.

7. Avoid Anti-Virus Apps!

Some antivirus programs may claim to scan for harmful viruses before scanning for your own. Sadly, some of these applications may actually send bad requests to their servers, resulting in blocked connections or corrupted files. Therefore, downloading third-party anti-virus programs can cause serious damage to your machine’s performance. Moreover, a few reputable antivirus experts recommend backing up your personal data files, including emails, documents, music, videos, images, etc., in case the original user doesn’t perform a manual reset. Also, be careful of downloads from unknown websites that promise fast installs by offering money-back guarantees. Many developers pay affiliates to market their products and encourage customers to try out their premium plans without paying for full functionality. So even a simple installation of Android or Apple software will affect your internet speed; therefore, always make sure that you read full terms and conditions and never agree to something that contradicts your own interests.



8. Backup And Transfer Files After Each Usage

If you notice that your computer unexpectedly seems slower than usual, then there may be something wrong with your hardware. Sometimes, just switching to another variant (or removing unnecessary apps and sites) or changing the operating system can fix the issue. Backing up your data will let you restore your lost files in case you lose them, while transferring them will help boost your performance, hopefully restoring it to normal within a short period of time.

9. Change Your Settings, Then Restart Again

Sometimes certain settings like your display resolution or CPU speed can impact your internet speed, so make sure to change them at least once. Ideally, take care of these changes once at your office and later reboot your PC to see if things continue to run correctly.

10. Shut Down Unnecessary Services

Sometimes, simply closing off unused programs and running a low power mode will solve most of your problems. Try upgrading your software and browser settings to “run in background,” “run quietly,” “do nothing” and similar. By lowering these parameters, you won’t have to worry about spending precious hours trying to figure out which tool, service or program needs to be turned down. Plus, shutting off these annoying programs and services helps you save battery life because they only drain the processor.


11. Install Battery Saver Programs

No matter what type of equipment you use to manage your internet speed, sometimes you need to lower CPU cores to conserve energy. Plugging multiple video players in the same room means running a lot of power. Fortunately, several dedicated battery saver programs can effectively reduce the amount of juice draining your battery while saving electricity too. Remember to test your batteries to ensure they’re fully charged before plugging in.