Learn 5 Indicators You Have a Computer Virus

5 Indicators You Have a Computer Virus

Last Updated: February 19, 2014

Written by:

Everybody knows what a computer virus is. Well, they think they do. “Virus” is a generalized term that applies to viruses, Trojans, worms, keyloggers, and more. Not all viruses let you know they are present, and some can stay hidden for days or years waiting for a specific date before they will become active.

1. Pop-Up Ads

This is probably the best known type of virus, because it gets in your face. While you’re surfing the Internet, random pop-ups will open. Sometimes this is a virus, but usually the cause is a piece of software that you installed. There are applications all over the Internet that are willing to let you try them for free. You just have to install a little application on your computer, and now you can have a cool screen saver or get weather updates with nice-looking graphics. These companies allow you to load their software for free and take over some of your Internet searching. This virus is no longer common because the more popular browsers allow users to shut off pop-up ads. The virus may still be on your machine, but it can’t do what it was designed to do.

2. Infectious Friends

This is one of the most common viruses out there. It has many names and many different ways to infect, but it has one purpose: to transfer the virus on your computer to your friends. According to USA Today, computer users should remain diligent in checking their “Sent” e-mail folders and should watch their social network postings. If users notice that messages have been sent out and they weren’t the ones who sent them, they should contact their friends and warn them not to click on any links within the messages.

3. Computer Acting Sluggish

This can be a tough one to catch. This type of virus usually has an application running in the background. This application is utilizing extra computer resources, causing it to slow down. If you know how check the processes running on your computer and you know how to remove programs, you may be able to stop it. However, if it is well designed, it will have hidden files that will cause the virus to come back after it has been deleted.

4. Settings

Viruses that change the users’ settings can be very tricky. Laptop Magazine reports it may be something simple like changing the home page on your browser, and this is true, but that is usually only part of the problem. The virus may also have gone in and changed some of your settings — you may only be able to go to certain sites, or the Ctrl-Alt-Del command to enter the Task Manager may not work.

5. Computer Lock

This can be a bit scary. This is usually part of a greater virus, but it is maddening. You suspect you might have a virus and have decided to shut off your computer, restart it, or, for the more tech savvy, return to an earlier restore point, but you can’t. You try everything and find you must shut off your computer by killing the power. You lose unsaved information, and when the computer restarts, the virus reactivates itself.

Many of the viruses out there can be prevented by following McAfee’s antivirus tips. Of course, nothing can stop them all, and they are always evolving. The best way to protect your assets is to save often. Have an external backup device to store all important documents, and have multiple antivirus programs to catch the computer virus at any time during the backup process — it does you no good to store the virus to your backup.

About the Authors

Learn 5 Indicators You Have a Computer Virus

High Speed Internet on Boats and Planes Becoming Commonplace

Last Updated: February 18, 2014

Written by:

The availability of high speed Internet on boats and airplanes is becoming more widespread. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently lessened the restrictions on passenger use of electronic devices while on board. WiFi service is also being offered by the US-based train service Amtrak, giving customers another reason to travel with them.

The United Kingdom Getting Into the Travel WiFi Game

The United Kingdom is also seeing an uptick in Internet service availability for travel. Ofcom, the regulatory board for telecommunications in the UK, has given approval to use satellite-based Internet antennas, called earth stations, on commuter trains in the country. Considering that passenger rail travel is still very popular in the UK, this news will surely please many in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Expected Internet speeds are up to 50 Mbps at each earth station, with 10 Mbps then available to the individual users connected to the earth station. In addition to passenger trains, UK-based airplanes and boats are also part of the Ofcom decision. The latter two will need special spectrum approval from Ofcom, as they enter other countries’ jurisdictions during their travels.

Some Feel the UK Should Focus on Improving 4G Networks and Home Internet Access

Some UK-based tech pundits believe that Ofcom should focus more on improving high-speed Internet access to residences in the United Kingdom. They also believe that sharing the Internet connection between passengers lowers the overall bandwidth for everyone. Additionally, satellite Internet services are subject to outages caused by rainy weather and the many tunnels on Britain’s rail system.

Other pundits have mentioned that improving 3G and 4G network access for rail passengers in the United Kingdom will make more of a difference than implementing satellite-based service on the trains themselves.

Providing more high-speed Internet on boats, trains, and airplanes in the UK, albeit from satellite earth stations or improved 4G network availability, should play a large role in keeping passengers connected when on the go for business or pleasure.

About the Authors

Learn 5 Indicators You Have a Computer Virus

Will Rebooting Your Router Speed Up Your Internet?

Last Updated: February 17, 2014

Written by:

The need for speed is here. Internet speeds are going up, and people want more. Gamers want to have flawless game play, and families want to hook up multiple devices throughout the house and not experience degradation to their bandwidth. There is a lot of advice on the Web explaining how to improve Internet speeds. One of the most common answers is to simply reboot your router.

Internet 101

The basics behind getting Internet to the home is fairly simple. The cable company sends a certain amount of bandwidth to your home depending on the Internet package you have purchased. You then connect to the Internet expecting the speed you are paying for, but this is not always the case. There are many circumstances that can draw your bandwidth away from you: hardware, software, and location are just a few examples.

A good start to knowing how much bandwidth you are getting from your Internet provider is to perform a speed test at BandwidthPlace.com.

The Router Reboot

Shutting the power off on your router and turning it back on is known as a reboot. Rebooting your router will not give you a faster Internet speed — not permanently anyway, but it can improve your Internet speed, in a way.

The router is the hardware, and within the hardware is software that is running the operation. Just like you may have to reboot your computer because it is running slow, the same also applies to a router. Occasionally, the hardware and software stop talking together correctly, and the reboot will re-sync them together, so that they are operating correctly.

If there are multiple devices in the home and there seems to be a terrible lag, then a logical choice may be to reboot the router. After the reboot, you may find that things are running faster again like they are supposed to, but upon closer inspection, you may find out that someone else in the house was just downloading some bandwidth-sucking content.

So, the answer is, yes, unplugging your router can improve Internet speeds from their current state, and no, it will not improve your overall Internet speed. Netflix has a short tutorial on how to restart gaming consoles, smart TVs, and routers.

Photo credit: Flickr/Mr ATM

About the Authors

Learn 5 Indicators You Have a Computer Virus

Get Your Best Internet Speed Performance With These Simple Tips

Last Updated: February 13, 2014

Written by:

When it comes to choosing the best location for your wireless router, it can be tempting to place it near where your modem already is; however, it is important to note that location plays a significant role in the Internet speed performance of your device. Location is crucial when it comes to obtaining peak Internet speed performance. While wireless signals are greatly affected by walls, other wireless devices, and many other variables, picking a solid location for your router is simple when you consider a few simple common-sense measures.

How to Determine Location for Your Router

When placing a router, the first major consideration is that you will want to position the router in a central location nearest to where your devices will be connecting. Since distance can cause bandwidth amounts to degrade between 50 percent and 90 percent, this is one of the most effective ways to ensure solid Internet speed performance on your network. The next major rule to keep in mind is that you will want to avoid physical obstructions from getting in the way of your router. Aside from brick or plaster walls, furniture, mirrors, and other reflective surfaces also degrade bandwidth significantly.

As mentioned earlier, interference with other wireless devices can also significantly degrade the Internet speed performance of even the best devices. Typically, you will want to avoid microwave ovens, cordless telephones, baby monitors, and home automation equipment. Additionally, you should avoid electric fans, other motors, and fluorescent lighting.

Measuring Your Internet Speed Performance

As you are positioning your router, you should run Internet speed tests to make sure that you are getting the best speeds possible. By using a responsive Internet speed test, you can run tests on mobile and desktop devices in your browser to ensure that you are getting uniform results regardless of the device. Additionally, since you don’t need to worry about application downloads, you can immediately start running tests as needed either during the router installation or down the road as things change.

Photo credit: Flickr/fuzzcat

About the Authors

Learn 5 Indicators You Have a Computer Virus

An Internet Speed Test on LTE Is Simple

Last Updated: February 12, 2014

Written by:

Running an Internet speed test on LTE is a great way to make sure you are getting all the bandwidth benefits from your 4G wireless service. It helps verify that your download speeds are actually faster than that of a 3G service, and in some cases your 4G LTE connection may be speedier than a cable and DSL network. If you currently have both a wired and wireless account, this information may help you get a better deal from your cable or DSL provider!

Thankfully, testing your 4G LTE connection is an easy process and only takes a few minutes.

Disable Your WiFi Connection, If Present

Make sure your smartphone is actually using your 4G connection instead of the WiFi network at your current location. Go into the smartphone’s settings (on Android models and the iPhone) to verify that you are using mobile data.

Navigate to an HTML5 Speed Test Site in Your Web Browser

In your mobile Web browser, load the HTML5 speed test site. Remember that HTML5 speed tests are faster than Flash-powered versions. Flash sites won’t even run on an iPhone.

Start the Speed Test

You can select a server to run the speed test or simply use the default. If you choose a server, pick the one closest to your current location and click “Start” to begin the test. A quick file download and upload are executed to check the speed.

Record Your Speed Test Results

Be sure to save your speed test results by taking a screenshot or recording the results in a note on your smartphone. This information becomes useful if your Internet speed isn’t what it should be. Use the results to request a refund from your wireless provider if needed.

An Internet speed test on LTE is a simple process — one you should perform regularly to make sure you are getting the bandwidth you deserve. As mentioned earlier, you should also compare your 4G test results with those from your cable or DSL service. Maybe you can get a discount from your Internet provider if their service isn’t up to par?

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

About the Authors

Learn 5 Indicators You Have a Computer Virus

The Evolution of Internet Connectivity: From Phone Lines to Light Speed

Last Updated: February 11, 2014

Written by:

According to Nielsen’s law of Internet bandwidth, the speed of a high-end user’s Internet connection should grow by 50 percent each year. Since 1983, this prediction has been essentially accurate — researchers are now experimenting with 1 terabit (Tb) transfer rates for wired connections, a far cry from the 56 kilobit (Kbps) rates initially available to consumers. But how did Internet connectivity get from there to here, and is there still room for improvement?

Experiments in Connectivity

The Internet was not always a global network, a free-for-all of information and applications. In the late 1960s, the precursor to the modern Internet was an experiment conducted by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), a branch of the US Department of Defense. In 1969, ARPANET came online with speeds of up to 56 Kbps. This network was used to connect government agencies, private companies, and universities for research purposes only; commercial use was banned. ARPANET was decommissioned in the 1980s and replaced by the National Science Foundation’s NSFNET. It too began at 56 Kbps but was upgraded to T1 lines at 1.544 megabits per second (Mbps) in 1988 and T3 lines at 45 Mbps in 1991.

1993 saw the introduction of the World Wide Web, managed by large telecommunications providers instead of the federal government. NSFNET was retired, but much of its original infrastructure backbone was transferred to private control. In 1994, the network received its final upgrade to 145 Mbps. While these speeds are solid even by today’s standards, most users only had access to dial-up connections until early in the 21st century, meaning 56 kbps was their maximum transfer rate.

The Broadband Revolution

Canada deployed the first North American broadband network in 1996. Between 2000 and 2001, the number of broadband subscribers increased by 50 percent, and in 2010, over 65 percent of American households used broadband. The term “broadband” refers to any connection faster than dial-up, including ADSL, which relies on phone lines, and cable, which relies on coaxial television cables. The speed of broadband also varies significantly by provider, location, and connection type. For around $40, urban users can get 5 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload speeds, while $50 buys 30 Mbps downloads. Companies now offer broadband speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

Typical broadband Internet is also being replaced in some major urban centers by fiber-optic cables. Instead of transmitting signals over copper wire, fiber-optic cables transmit pulses of light. This permits a much greater speed with less signal “noise.” Several companies have already rolled out 500 Mbps download plans, provided you’re willing to pay.

Internet connectivity is at an all-time high, but much of the infrastructure used to support the Web isn’t anywhere near bandwidth capacity — meaning there’s still speed to spare.

About the Authors

Learn 5 Indicators You Have a Computer Virus

Comparing Internet Speeds: Faster Than the Neighbors’?

Last Updated:

Written by:

Who has the fastest Internet connection in your neighborhood? Are you the trailblazer, leaving everyone else in the dust, or does your connection lag behind? When it comes to comparing Internet speeds, how do you find out if you or the neighbors come out on top?

Speed Basics

Internet connection speeds are typically measured in transfer rates of megabits per second (Mbps) and include two values, one for download speed and one for upload speed. Downloads are always faster than uploads, and usually by a wide margin. If your connection has a 1 Mbps download speed, for example, this means you’re able to transfer one megabit of data from the Internet to your computer every second. It’s important to note, however, that most providers advertise the highest possible speed of their connections when they sell plans. This means 1 Mbps would be the maximum you’d ever see — and it wouldn’t happen very often.

Most residential broadband Internet plans rely on ADSL or cable connections, which use phone lines and coaxial television cables, respectively. Both can offer speeds from 5 Mbps up to 30, 40, or even 50 Mbps — with some providers now pushing ADSL into the hundred-megabit range. Cable connections often have higher maximum speeds, but their speed suffers when multiple users are connected at the same time, since there’s usually just a single cable “pipeline” running out of a neighborhood back to the provider. ADSL connections, meanwhile, offer dedicated service. Fiber-optic connections are also available in some major urban centers and offer download speeds of 500 Mbps or more.

Passing the Neighbors

When it comes to comparing Internet speeds with your neighbors, the first question is connection type. If they’re using fiber-optic and you’re on cable, they’ll have a faster connection. If you’re both using ADSL but they choose to connect wirelessly and you don’t, chances are you come out ahead because WiFi strength and speed depends on how far you are from the router, how many people are trying to connect, and how many other wireless networks are currently active. If you have a wireless-enabled device, scan your neighborhood for signals and see which ones are the strongest; this may indicate a powerful router, solid connection, or combination of both.

The easiest way to compare Internet speeds is for you and your neighbor to use a free online speed test and see who comes out ahead. These tests report the actual download and upload rates of your connection, giving you an idea of how it performs day to day. If you find yourself consistently behind the neighbors or wanting for speed despite a solid service plan, it may be time to switch providers. The increasing availability of fiber-optic networks and improved ADSL speeds mean companies are now courting average Internet users looking for above-average speed.

About the Authors

Learn 5 Indicators You Have a Computer Virus

Naming Your WiFi and Other Simple Ways to Stop Freeloading Neighbors

Last Updated: February 10, 2014

Written by:

Is your neighbor stealing your WiFi? It’s possible, especially if you notice low speeds or high volumes of data transfer. So how do you find out if you’re the hot spot for freeloaders, and what can you do about it? Is password protecting or naming your WiFi something new enough to keep it secure?

Detecting Freeloaders

Before you can stop WiFi moochers, you need to find out who’s using your connection. Start by resetting the router, checking your computer for malware, and then boosting the WiFi signal. If none of these methods improve your connection, you may have an unwanted passenger. First step: Disconnect all wireless-enabled devices in your home. This includes desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles. Next, check to see if the “wireless” light on your router is still blinking. If so, you have a guest.

To find out more, you need to access your router’s admin functions, and that means you need its IP address:

On a Windows computer, go to the Start menu, and in the “search programs and files” box, type in cmd. This will bring up a small black screen with a command prompt. Here, type ipconfig and then look for “default gateway.” This is the IP address of your router.
On a Mac, open Network Preferences and look for the IP address next to the word “Router.” Type this IP address into your Web browser and you’ll get a login screen.

Most routers use “admin” as the login name or password and leave the other field blank. Check with your ISP if they provided the router or read the router’s instruction manual if you’re not sure.

Every router is different, but once you’ve gained admin access, what you’re looking for is a list of connected devices. This may be under “Attached Devices,” “My Network,” or “Device List.” Here, you’ll see a list of connected IP addresses, media access control (MAC) addresses, and a list of device names if they’ve been made public. If all wireless devices in your home are disconnected, any that show up on this list are stealing your WiFi.

Send Them Packing

There are two problems with WiFi stealers — whether they’re the next-door neighbor or a drive-by hacker:

They can eat up your bandwidth and make your connection slower.
They may be accessing illegal sites or conducting illegal transactions online. If law enforcement comes looking, your house will be the first stop.

So how do you get rid of these pests?

First, trying naming your WiFi something different or enabling “Hidden SSID,” which prevents your address from being seen by other wireless devices. These are just stopgaps, however, since there are free tools available to uncover hidden networks and a change of name won’t fool freeloaders for long. But changing your WiFi name and hiding the address should give you time to make a few other improvements.
You can turn on IP and MAC filtering, which let you block specific addresses from connecting, but getting a new IP address isn’t difficult and determined moochers can “spoof” their MAC address for access.
Your best bet is to change your security settings and enable WPA or WPA2 encryption if it’s available. Older routers use what’s known as WEP security, which can be hacked in less than half an hour. Choose a strong password for your WPA2 network that includes random letters, numbers, and symbols.

If you’re more tech-savvy and want to play a practical joke on your wireless-stealing neighbors, you can learn how to create a dummy network that redirects all traffic to a site of your choosing or turns all images upside down.

WiFi theft is rising, in large part due to an increased number of unsecured home wireless networks. If you’re worried the neighbors are stealing your WiFi, do some research on your connection and, if necessary, put a stop to the wireless gravy train.

Photo credit: Flickr/riddle_

About the Authors

Learn 5 Indicators You Have a Computer Virus

Internet Speed Test: 3G, 4G, LTE, and Wifi — Who Wins?

Last Updated:

Written by:

If you’re using a tablet or smartphone, chances are you’ve got more than one way to connect to the Web; the latest devices offer not only 4G connectivity but 3G compatibility and WiFi. But which connection type is fastest? If you run an Internet speed test, who comes out on top?

3G Versus 4G

First generation (1G) cellular devices were analog phones. Second generation (2G) introduced digital along with limited Internet connectivity. In the third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G), however, things got interesting. Both 3G- and 4G-enabled devices offer broadband access to the Internet but have very different speed standards. To be qualified as 3G, a network’s peak transfer rates only need to reach 200 kilobits per second (Kbps). If this sounds slow, it is — the standard was established in 2003. Many 3G networks now offer speeds ten or twelve times that fast. 4G networks, meanwhile, must offer transfer rates 100 megabits per second (Mbps) when users are “mobile,” for example, in cars or buses, and 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) when users are stationary. It’s important to note that these are “peak” values, meaning distance from the connection’s source, number of users connected, and even weather can all impact transfer rates. In addition, there are multiple 4G networks in operation.

Understanding LTE

LTE, which stands for long-term evolution, is one of three major 4G networks used in the United States. HSPA+ and WiMAX are the other two contenders, and each claims to be the most reliable solution for 4G users. By the numbers, LTE comes in with the highest theoretical top-end, offering 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload speeds. WiMAX is next, with 75 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload, followed by HSPA+ at 42 and 23, respectively. On paper, this means a slam-dunk for LTE, but some experts argue it’s not so simple. Again, these are peak values, meaning transfer rates no normal user will see. Instead, it’s more likely that all three networks will provide speeds in the mid-to-high single-digit range (5–9 Mbps) on average. While it’s too early to call an Internet speed test winner among 4G networks, LTE is by far the most popular.

What About WiFi?

In addition to 3G and 4G cellular networks, most mobile devices can also connect to wireless (WiFi) networks. The speed of these connections depends on the signal provided and the type of network card installed in the device. Maximum wireless speeds are governed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.11. Cards using the 802.11b standard can reach 11 Mbps, those using 802.11a or 802.11g can reach 54 Mbps, and those running on 802.11n have a theoretical maximum of 600 Mbps. A small number of devices also use the 802.11ac standard, which offers a blazing 1,300 Mbps at its upper end. Just like 3G and 4G networks, however, several factors impact overall speed. Distance to the wireless source, interference from other wireless networks, and number of users sharing the same bandwidth may all conspire to limit speed. Realistically, users with an 802.11a or 802.11g connection can expect 20 Mbps download, while 802.11n should get 40 to 50 Mbps.

So who wins the Internet speed test? At small distances, with an 802.11a or better network card, WiFi comes out ahead. Beyond the reach of wireless, however, 4G LTE offers the best connection and the most coverage, but its scope is still fairly limited. Think of 3G like the tortoise in this race; slow but steady, and still reliable — and still providing service for the bulk of mobile users.

About the Authors

Learn 5 Indicators You Have a Computer Virus

Measuring Your Internet Speed Test Ping Rate

Last Updated: February 6, 2014

Written by:

If you’ve ever played an online game, chances are you’ve seen the term “ping rate” in your games, but you may not know what it means. When it comes to an Internet speed test, ping rate is simply the delay of messages sent between computers, so a low ping rate is ideal. Your ping rates will vary based on the quality of your Internet connection and the distance between the server and your computer. Aside from determining how well your computer communicates with other computers, ping rates also can be used to troubleshoot Internet connections.

Does Internet Speed Test Ping Rate Matter?

As mentioned above, having a low ping is crucial when playing online games because a slow Internet connection can prevent you from being allowed on many multiplayer servers. This is because many multiplayer servers are programmed to kick players with high ping to prevent lag and other performance issues. In some cases, high ping is an indication a user is trying to cheat on a game. These performance factors are all reasons online games typically will display players’ pings for all to see.

Aside from online gaming, ping rates apply to virtually any type of Internet activity — be it loading websites or streaming videos. Since ping is an indication of how fast an Internet connection is, it can impact virtually everything in cyberspace.

The Importance of a Responsive Speed Test

When you run an Internet speed test, ping rate is usually shown alongside Internet speed, so it is easy to determine your ping. The reason you want to use a responsive tool is that you’ll be sure that you’re getting uniform test results regardless of if you are on a desktop or mobile device. Additionally, since responsive tests run completely in your browser, you can even run them on a gaming console or smart TV. Having this ability will greatly help you troubleshoot any issues that come up with your Internet connection.