How to Increase Speed on the Internet

Internet speeds vary for a number of reasons.

Sometimes it seems that webpages and downloads take longer than they should to complete. That can be caused by a number of reasons. One reason could be the speed of your Internet. You can take measures to increase that speed and make surfing more enjoyable.

Instructions

1. Upgrade to the latest version of your browser. In Firefox, click "Help" at the top of the page and then "About Firefox" to see what version you're running. Go to mozilla.com/firefox and click "Download" to see if you are on the latest version. In Internet Explorer, click "Help" and then "About Internet Explorer" to see what version you're using. Go to windows.Microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/products/ie/home to see if you're using the latest version.

2. Close all other applications to increase bandwidth. This may seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes programs, such as instant messengers or chat programs, are running in the background, eating away your speed. Close them, and your connection will get better. To see what's running in the background, right-click an empty space on the bar at the bottom of your screen and click "Task Manager."

3. Turn off graphics in your browser. In Internet Explorer, for example, click "Tools," "Internet Options" and then the "Advanced" tab. In the Multimedia section under Settings, remove the check marks next to: Play animations in web pages; Play sounds in web pages; Play videos in web pages; and Show pictures.

4. Save webpages to your computer to peruse when you're not on the Internet, especially if it's a page you use often. From the webpage you want to save, click "Save As" in the Page menu.

Tips & Warnings

• Run a spyware/malware scan weekly. This will help ensure that no programs are eating your bandwith or data-mining you. Doing this will not only increase your navigation speed, but it will also protect your computer.

• Be careful of what websites you access, and even more careful on what you download or install on your computer.

References

• Broadband Choices; Boost Your Internet Speed; April 1, 2011
• Microsoft at Work: How to Increase Browsing Speed - 7 Ways to Work Faster on Slow Connections