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How Can I Speed Up My Internet Connection?
Want to speed up your Internet? A slow, crawling Internet connection is a source of great frustration. Sometimes the slowdown is beyond your control; the Internet is subject to traffic jams just like any other highway. But there are some things you can do to maximize whatever speed you are able to get.
Continue reading "How Can I Speed Up My Internet Connection?"...4G Mobile Hotspots
"What exactly is a 4G mobile hotspot? I have a 4G phone and a wireless router at home. Am I correct in thinking that this device would somehow enable me to take my wireless internet connection with me when I leave the house?"
Continue reading "4G Mobile Hotspots"...Free Screen Sharing Apps
The term "screen-sharing" includes more than just showing other people what's on your computer screen. It also encompasses remote control of another computer, remote access to files on another computer, and communication between multiple people while they are looking at the same computer screen from different locations. Read on to learn about some free and commercial apps that can be used for screen sharing and remote support...
Continue reading "Free Screen Sharing Apps"...Why Is My Internet Connection Slow?
"I notice that my Internet connection seems to slow to a crawl at certain times, for no apparent reason. Is it likely that I have a virus, or are there other possible explanations for the slowdowns?"
Continue reading "Why Is My Internet Connection Slow?"...What is The Fastest Internet Connection?
Everyone wants the fastest Internet connection they can get. Today, the giants in high-speed Internet are DSL (digital subscriber line) and cable modem. But a relatively new and still scarce technology called fiber optics may blow them both out of the water. Here's how they stack up, speed-wise...
Continue reading "What is The Fastest Internet Connection?"...TeamViewer Remote Access Software
"My friends and family members rely on me for computer support, but diagnosing and fixing their problems over the phone can be maddening. I've heard about GotoMyPC, but it's too expensive for me. Are there any similar, but free, remote access tools I can use to control other computers over the Internet?"
Continue reading "TeamViewer Remote Access Software"...The Internet Is Full... Go Away
You probably know that every computer, router, smartphone, coffee maker, and other device connected to the Internet is assigned a unique IP address, such as 74.125.226.115, which is used to deliver data to it and identify the origin of data that it sends. Without an IP address, you can't get on the Internet. What you may not know is that the world is almost out of IP addresses...
Continue reading "The Internet Is Full... Go Away"...Alternative DNS Service
"I've read that web surfing can be faster by using an alternate DNS server, instead of the DNS provided by one's internet service provider. What's your opinion on switching DNS servers?"
Continue reading "Alternative DNS Service"...Network Security Monitoring
"I have a home network, but I'm nervous about hackers getting into my computers. What can I do to monitor my network for suspicious activity and breakins?"
Continue reading "Network Security Monitoring"...Internet Speed Tests
"How can I know my net speed" is a common question. There are quite a few definitions of "net speed" and several free ways to test it. Here's the scoop on Internet speed tests, and why you definitely should check your speed every once in a while...
Continue reading "Internet Speed Tests"...T1 Service Provider
A T1 line is a data communications connection between two points. Unlike other types of Internet connections, where many parts (packets) of many users' data share every connection, a T1 line is dedicated exclusively to the use of the parties it connects physically. A dedicated T1 line offers several benefits as part of this exclusivity. Here are some things to know when shopping for a T1 service provider...
Continue reading "T1 Service Provider"...Virtual Private Networks
In the past, I've written about "anonymizer" services that effectively act as a buffer between your computer and the rest of the Internet, concealing your IP address so that Web sites, email servers, and other things with which you interact cannot identify you. That is one way to protect your privacy online, but it is incomplete. With a virtual private network, your online security is greatly enhanced...
Continue reading "Virtual Private Networks"...Google Public DNS
Google recently announced its Public DNS service, which provides an alternative Domain Name Service (DNS) for any user connected to the Internet. Read on to find out why using this service could speed up your web surfing and provide other benefits as well...
Continue reading "Google Public DNS"...Hubs, Switches and Routers
Many people wonder what the difference is between a networking hub, switch, and router. Some people don't know and don't want to know. But if you need to know, here is what you need to know...
Continue reading "Hubs, Switches and Routers"...Free Alternatives to GoToMyPC
If you need to access your own computer or someone else's from a remote location, you probably already know about GoToMyPC, which is often advertised on radio and TV. GotoMyPC's remote access service costs $20/month. But did you know that you can do the same thing for free? Here's how...
Continue reading "Free Alternatives to GoToMyPC"...Securing Your Router
Your router is the box that feeds your high-speed internet connection into your computer. But is it also an open door to hackers, crackers and wifi moochers? Learn how to secure your router…
Continue reading "Securing Your Router"...Online Computer Repair
"My computer is running slow and I think it might have a virus. What do you think of those online computer repair services? Are they reliable, or should I take it to a local computer repair shop?"
Continue reading "Online Computer Repair"...What is OpenDNS?
"What exactly is OpenDNS? I've heard that it can be used to make your Internet access faster, but I'm a little fuzzy on how it works, and if there are any gotchas I should know about."
Continue reading "What is OpenDNS?"...Online Meeting Services
"I need to share Powerpoint presentations with a large group of people. Which online meeting service should I use?"
Continue reading "Online Meeting Services"...Sharing A Hard Drive Online
"I have photos, MP3s and some Word documents on my hard drive. How can I share my hard drive online so that just certain people can access my files? My colleagues have Internet access but we do not share a computer network. Can I share my hard drive folders and files over the Inernet?"
Continue reading "Sharing A Hard Drive Online"...What is Slingbox?
Imagine you're in a hotel room, on another continent... you fire up the laptop, and with a few clicks, you're watching the same cable or satellite TV programming that's in your living room at home. You can change the channel, or even view the shows that your Tivo recorded for you last night. It's not smoke and mirrors, it's Slingbox...
Continue reading "What is Slingbox?"...What is Bluetooth?
This is the age of wireless devices. Information is relevant only if it is accessible anywhere and everywhere. From phones to computers, every device is aiming at becoming wireless and providing more accessibility to the users. Read on to learn how Bluetooth technology is making wireless connections at home, at the office, and on the go...
Continue reading "What is Bluetooth?"...Hide Your SSID?
"I have a wireless network at home, which lets me get an internet connection on my laptop all over the house. But I'm concerned that neighbors or people driving by can hack into my computer. A friend said that hiding my SSID will solve the problem. What's a wireless SSID, how do I hide it, and will it help?"
Continue reading "Hide Your SSID?"...Wireless Printing
I have a laptop with no printer attached. But I do have a wireless network in my home, and one of the desktop computers on the network has a printer. How can I print from the laptop, over the wireless network, to the printer that's hooked up to my desktop?
Continue reading "Wireless Printing"...What is Broadband?
"I see commercials on TV telling me to switch to broadband, but I'm not sure what that means. They talk about DSL lines, cable access, satellites and megabits, which further confuses me. I've had dialup access through AOL for years and I'm pretty happy with the service. What is broadband, and do I need it?"
Continue reading "What is Broadband?"...Wireless Laptop
"Currently in my home I have a desktop computer that is for family use, and I have a laptop for work. When I bring my laptop home, I have to unhook my DSL line and hook it to my laptop. My laptop has a wireless card built in -- can I get a router that can go wireless, and have a line to go to my desktop, that is not wireless?"
Continue reading "Wireless Laptop"...Wasting Bandwidth?
"A friend asked about downloading a file from a website and going to bed while the file downloads. If the download finishes and I'm still on that site without actively doing anything for hours, does this waste that site's bandwidth or ability to handle more users?"
Continue reading "Wasting Bandwidth?"...Remote Assistance
"My friends often call or email and ask computer questions that are hard to answer without actually sitting in front of their computer. I've heard radio commercials for a product that lets you control another computer over the Internet. But there's a monthly fee, software to download, and I'm not sure it'll be secure. Is there a free, secure tool to access a friend's computer remotely?
Continue reading "Remote Assistance"...802.11n Wireless Networking
"I've seen a new wi-fi adapter that claims to be a HUNDRED TIMES FASTER than the currently available ones. Is this new 802.11N technology really that fast, and will it work with Windows XP?"
Continue reading "802.11n Wireless Networking"...Sharing a Printer
"I have two computers but only one printer. I understand there is a way to share the printer so both can print to it. Can you tell me how to do that?"
Continue reading "Sharing a Printer"...Home Networking
"We just purchased a second computer and now we'd like to share the printer and Internet connection between them. How do I set up a simple home network?"
Continue reading "Home Networking"...Slow Downloads with Broadband
"I have broadband, and when I run a speed test, my system passes with numbers that approach the speed of light. However, when I download a file, the download speed always hovers around 500k. What am I overlooking?"
Continue reading "Slow Downloads with Broadband"...
