Programs my computer connecting internet

If you mainly want to use the Internet for email and social networking , a slower connection around 2 to 5 Mbps might be all you need. However, if you want to download music or stream videos , you'll want a faster connection at least 5 Mbps or higher. You'll also want to consider the cost of the service, including installation charges and monthly fees.

Generally speaking, the faster the connection, the more expensive it will be per month. Although dial-up has traditionally been the least expensive option, many ISPs have raised dial-up prices to be the same as broadband. This is intended to encourage people to switch to broadband. We do not recommend dial-up Internet unless it's your only option. Once you have your computer, you really don't need much additional hardware to connect to the Internet.

The primary piece of hardware you need is a modem. The type of Internet access you choose will determine the type of modem you need. Dial-up access uses a telephone modem , DSL service uses a DSL modem , cable access uses a cable modem , and satellite service uses a satellite adapter. Your ISP may give you a modem—often for a fee—when you sign a contract, which helps ensure that you have the right type of modem.

Next click the Network tab in the right pane to expand it. Monitor and block computer programs from connecting to the Internet. This will have a list of processes that are currently connecting to the Internet. If you see a web address or process name that looks suspicious, it may be a good idea to terminate the corresponding process via the Task Manager. This method is Windows Vista and Windows 7 specific but if your computer is on XP, try the netstat trick which is essentially the same thing sans the GUI.

He holds an engineering degree in Computer Science I. Read more on Lifehacker and YourStory. The health of your computer can affect your Internet connection.

Spyware and viruses can definitely cause problems, but your Internet connection speed can also be affected by add-on programs, the amount of memory the computer has, hard disk space and condition, and the programs that are running.

Two of the most frequent causes of poor Internet performance are spyware and viruses. Spyware can slow your system by interfering with your browser and monopolizing your Internet connection. Spyware monitors your Internet use and keystrokes, which adds delays. The problem is compounded when there are multiple spyware programs running at the same time.

If the problem is severe enough, you can lose connectivity altogether. To get your Internet performance back, you should regularly run an antispyware program to clean out any spyware infestation. Computer viruses can also cause poor Internet performance. Viruses often don't give any obvious indication that they're running, so it's best to run your antivirus software at all times. Browser add-ons also cause performance problems. Browser add-ons are programs, such as multimedia add-ons, search bars, or other programs that usually appear on your browser's toolbar.

Many browser add-ons can add to a rich browsing experience, offering multimedia or specialized document viewing. However, some add-ons can slow your Internet connection. If you suspect that add-ons are causing slow performance, try starting Internet Explorer in Add-ons disabled mode. Add-ons are disabled only for the session, but if you find your performance improves, you can use the Add-on Manager to turn them off permanently.

Like all computer programs, Internet Explorer requires a certain amount of computing power, memory, and disk space to run efficiently. Every webpage you view is first downloaded to memory and then saved to temporary disk files. Running another program that's using lots of memory and computing power can compete with Internet Explorer and cause delays. If you find your Internet connection running slowly and you have other programs running, try closing them.

If you want to run several programs, consider increasing the memory you have on your computer. Low disk space can also cause performance problems. You can increase your disk space by deleting Internet Explorer's temporary files. Occasionally, settings get changed in Internet Explorer that could possibly affect how Internet Explorer works.

You can reset Internet Explorer to its default settings. Resetting Internet Explorer isn't reversible, so you should read the list of settings that are affected before resetting. Unfortunately, there are events and conditions that are outside your control. Even with a fast connection, external factors, such as busy websites or spreading computer viruses, can slow the entire web.

Popular websites can become overwhelmed with users. For example, when a television commercial mentions a website, many people might try to visit the site at the same time.