Cable Internet Speed Problems

Remove malware and upgrade equipment to speed up your cable Internet.

Cable Internet uses cable television infrastructure and a cable modem to provide broadband Web access in the home. When the connection slows down, so does the computer user's productivity. But there are many things you can check to maximize the speed of your cable Internet.

Check for Infections

Viruses can really hinder the speed your computer runs. Scan your computer with an anti-virus software, such as AVG, Microsoft Security Essentials or Avast!, and remove any malware that's found. Make sure the software is turned on at all times to ensure it can prevent viruses from infecting your system.

Eliminate Adware and Spyware

Routinely scan your computer for adware and spyware, which can slow down your Internet speed and the overall speed of your computer. Some widely used programs are Ad Prevent, No Adware and Ad-Aware (see Resources).

Upgrade Your Equipment

Make sure all the equipment you're using is not out of date. That includes the router and cable cord. Check your computer to see if your operating system is current. It should offer at least 32 megabytes of RAM to ensure optimal speed. If your computer operates slowly, it doesn't matter how fast your Internet is.

Call Your Cable Internet Provider

As a last resort, call a technician. Sometimes it's simply bad service. Call the tech department of your cable Internet service provider to see if it's a problem on the provider's end. The ISP may send someone out to you to check and possibly replace the modem. Your Internet may slow down if your modem is out of date. In addition, if there's a faster Internet package available, consider upgrading if you're online a lot.

References

• High Speed Internet: How To Increase Cable Modem Speed
• Barbara Brabec's World: How to Speed Up Your Internet Connection

Resources

• Ad Prevent
• No Adware
• Ad-Aware