| As the popularity of broadband has soared, so has | | | | that an improperly configured firewall can actually add |
| the desire for faster download speeds, with | | | | to your download delays. |
| consumer expectations ever increasing. | | | | Moving away from the software side of things and |
| Although the speed of your connection is limited by | | | | onto the more physical aspects of your connection |
| your chosen broadband package and the distance | | | | and you will find there are a few things you can do |
| from your home to your local telephone exchange, | | | | here that should make a positive difference. |
| there are a number of measures you can take if you | | | | To begin with simply reducing the distance between |
| feel your broadband is underperforming. | | | | your main socket (where the broadband enters your |
| Firstly, if it is simply your connections browsing speed | | | | home) and your broadband router can dramatically |
| you are unhappy with, then chances are you would | | | | increase your connection's speed, with increases of |
| see the benefit of using an alternative browser. If for | | | | up to 3Mbps possible. |
| instance, you are using Microsoft's default IE, then | | | | Although a more costly option, upgrading your router |
| consider switching to Mozilla's Firefox. | | | | may prove useful, especially if you are currently using |
| Along the same lines, nearly all of the major | | | | out of date hardware, which may be faulty. |
| browsers have settings that can be altered, which | | | | If you connect to the internet through a wireless |
| should help to speed up page loading times. | | | | connection, then the closer you are to the router the |
| Background applications can have a dramatic effect | | | | better. If there is no way to get closer then |
| on your connections speed. Such applications you | | | | purchasing a larger antenna will boost the signal's |
| may only use once, but from then on in open every | | | | strength. |
| time you start up your computer, adding to your | | | | If all else fails then it may be worth calling your |
| bandwidth overhead. Not only do such applications | | | | broadband provider, to see if there is anything they |
| slow down your connection, but they are likely to | | | | can do to help speed things up. Performing a |
| add to your monthly usage. | | | | broadband speed test is an excellent way of |
| As well as keeping out unwanted traffic, firewalls are | | | | discovering your actual connection speed, and if this |
| an excellent way to monitor which applications are | | | | differs highly from what your ISP states, then it may |
| using your connection. It's important to note though, | | | | be time to switch to a different broadband provider. |