The way we use WiFi has evolved since its creation in 1999. The 2 megabits per second connection speed that was once the standard would now struggle to stream a series or browse social networks.
It's hard to imagine how different our daily lives would be without WiFi, a technology that since its introduction has become essential in our lives. At home, in the office, or in a café, to watch our favorite series via streaming, or to give intelligence to our smart home through IoT devices, making a video call, or sending memes to friends. Its relevance in today's society is such that for almost a decade, World WiFi Day has been celebrated every June 20th.
But not everything is smooth in the world of wireless connection. Sometimes, an important work video call freezes, the series you're watching starts pixelating just as the plot gets interesting, or the video sent in the friends' group doesn't download and you can't find out what makes them laugh so much.
In cases like these, a bad connection can ruin our day, but there are many more situations where the solution to – almost – all our problems can be easier than it might seem. SPC, the Spanish consumer technology brand, has gathered 5 tips so that even the least tech-savvy person can get the most out of their WiFi network:
1. The most basic and also the most effective solution: restart. Yes, it may seem too simple to be true, but often a simple router restart can be our best ally. With use, devices accumulate everything from resources and active connections to temporary data. Turning it off and on again allows the router to clear all the accumulated information it doesn't need that slows it down, or even fix software errors that might be affecting the connection
2. Your WiFi has two connection frequencies; it uses the most appropriate one depending on how you plan to use it. Routers hide a feature unknown to many people: you can choose between a 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) or a 5 GHz frequency. The most basic difference between them is the maximum speed they can reach and the network range, or in other words, how fast you can browse and how far the signal will reach. In this sense, the 2.4 GHz network is perfect for connecting devices far from the router, as it reaches greater distances with lower connection speed, unlike the 5 GHz network which, by reaching higher speeds at shorter distances, is ideal for streaming series or playing online.
3. The number of devices connected to the network affects its speed: tWiFi connection has forever changed our lives and our homes. Not only mobile phones and computers currently connect to the network, but also smart home devices such as thermostats, surveillance cameras or even scales. To avoid possible network congestion, it is recommended to use WiFi repeaters or dual-band routers.
4. You might be sharing your WiFi with someone without knowing it: it is important to ensure that no outsiders can access and control the router. These devices usually come preconfigured with similar IP addresses and access keys by default. Changing these settings and passwords to personalized ones that you can easily remember will also help prevent someone external from denying or slowing down your own network connection, and it’s as simple as checking your device’s IP address, which can be easily found on your smartphone in the same place as the WiFi password, and entering it into your web browser.
5. If the connection does not reach outside the home, no one will be able to connect: lowering the power emitted by the router antennas helps increase security without compromising the family network connection. For someone to take advantage of your WiFi connection, they have to be connected to it, so reducing the power from the same menu where you previously changed its settings and passwords, or directing the antennas inward, is a good strategy against threats.
WiFi connection has forever changed our lives. It is also expected to continue evolving and adapting to new needs. That is why we cannot allow a slow connection to become a stumbling block. By following these easy tips, both network speed and security will go hand in hand.
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