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There are a lot of false beliefs and misapprehensions floating around out there about how the internet works. Here are six myths we’d like to put to rest.
Myth 1: Nobody Would Bother Hacking My Home Internet
Thinking that hackers only target big companies is a bit like thinking that thieves only rob banks. Sure, they do rob banks—but there are also thieves who do things like test car doors or take advantage of an open garage. Your home internet is a tempting target for a hacker, especially if it’s poorly protected. After all, a hacker can get useful credit card numbers and maybe even access to other accounts just from putting malware on your home computer.
Myth 2: I Never Need to Change My Router Password
The default password your technician sets you up with will no doubt be a quality password. But you shouldn’t keep the same password for years and years. Changing it annually is a good security practice. If you’re worried about managing your various passwords, read this.
Myth 3: Changing Router Settings Is Hard & I Don’t Need to Do It
It’s actually pretty easy to access your router settings and make a few changes. In fact, you’ll need to do this in order to change your default password. And keep in mind that in router settings, you can do other neat stuff like set up a guest network and privilege certain kinds of traffic.
Myth 4: My Router Still Works Fine, So I Don’t Need to Upgrade It
Router technology evolves just like computer or phone technology. After all, you wouldn’t say a 3G phone is the same as a 5G phone just because they both make calls, would you? We’ve previously written about Wi-Fi 6 and all the good things it does. It handles more devices better, has better security, and is a greener technology. So if it’s been a few years, maybe it’s time to upgrade your router.
Myth 5: My Internet Is Slow, So It Must Be My ISP’s Fault
Having multiple users, simultaneous streaming, updates running in the background, firmware not updated, and a poor router signal can all cause slow internet. Be sure you’ve set up your router in the best possible place to get Wi-Fi to every corner of your house. Consider mesh Wi-Fi if you have a lot of area to cover. And consider upgrading your internet package if you’re finding that members of your household are all doing bandwidth-intensive things at the same time.
Myth 6: My Computer Doesn’t Affect My Internet Performance
It doesn’t matter how fast your internet is, if your computer (or other device, such as a phone or gaming console) is so old that it can’t load pages or render graphics, you have a problem. Assuming your operating system is up to date, you should upgrade your devices.
