Latest Wi-Fi & Networks How-To Stories
SEE WI-FI & NETWORKS STORIES BY CATEGORY
How-To
How to avoid going over your broadband data cap
Our tips on how to avoid going over your ISP's broadband data cap cover Windows PCs, your phone, game consoles, and streaming devices. Here's how to manage your data on all four.
How-To
How to speed up your home Internet and Wi-Fi on the cheap
You can speed up your home Internet and Wi-Fi for cheap if you're willing to buy used and do some things yourself. Here's how it worked in my home.
How-To
What to do when your ethernet won’t connect
A wired connection should be simple plug-and-play, but all too often that's not the case. Here's what to do if your ethernet connection seems dead.How-To
How to unblock blocked websites
Governments, schools, and businesses sometimes block websites in an attempt to reduce distractions, conserve bandwidth, or censor content. If you're willing to risk circumventing such limitations, here's how to do it.
How-To
How to fix your Wi-Fi network
Whether your PC isn't connecting to the internet, or your wireless connection is inconsistent, or your device keeps joining the wrong network, we have answers to common Wi-Fi issues.Updated
How to stream media from your PC to your HDTV over Wi-Fi
Do you want to stream TV and movies from your PC to your TV? Here's our PC-to-TV media streaming guide.
Updated
How to monitor, measure, and manage your broadband consumption
Dealing with a data cap? Tired of getting dinged for busting through it? Learn how to identify the hogs on your network and how to make sure your ISP is delivering everything you’re paying for.
How-To
How to set up a wireless router
These tips will make your wireless router installation and configuration even easier.
World Beyond Windows
4 ways to take control of your Wi-Fi connections on Linux
Get better performance and security when using your Wi-Fi on Linux by editing your connections.
How-To
How to identify and resolve double-NAT problems
We’ll show you how to eliminate this conflict between your router and your broadband gateway.
Updated
If we show you how to back up your PC for free, will you finally do it?
What's it gonna take? These free backup tools are a good start.Tip
How to monitor websites visited on a home network
OpenDNS can help control access to objectionable websites.How-To
How to secure your router and home network
Many users don't realize it, but their internet router is the most important electronic device in their home and is an attractive target for attackers.
Hassle-Free PC
HTTPS errors: What to do when your PC freaks out
Connection errors are annoying, but they usually require a simple fix.Hassle-Free PC
The easiest way to wirelessly get videos from your PC to your tablet
Basically, BitTorrent Sync is the answer for everything.
Answer Line
When Wi-Fi doesn’t work, try these things first
Wi-Fi problems could be caused by your computer or your router, or some interaction that's gone awry. Here's how to identify and fix the problem.
Hassle-Free PC
Stream music from your PC to almost any device with this free tool
Stream What You Hear provides an easy way to stream music from your PC to your phone or TV.World Beyond Windows
How to get your Chromebook online from anywhere without killing your mobile data cap
Chromebooks were made to be online, even if Wi-Fi's nowhere to be found. Here's how to get online with a cellular signal without blowing through your data cap.Answer Line
What to do if someone steals your IP address
Maybe there's weird activity on your home network. Maybe your ISP's asking about illegal online dealings. That's when you need to check your IP address.Answer Line
How to protect your wireless router from malware
Your PC and your phone aren't the only devices that can catch an infection. The router that connects them to the Internet may also be vulnerable.
Hassle-Free PC
Wi-Fi triage: 5 common solutions to your wireless woes
Lost your Wi-Fi network? Can't get a proper signal? Before you call your ISP try these easy DIY fixes.
Answer Line
Take precautions when using public Wi-Fi networks
When you take your laptop to a library or café, you take a risk. But if you know what you're doing, you can minimize that risk.Hassle-Free PC
Three security-boosting steps to perform on every router
If you haven't done this with your router yet, do so STAT to make sure it's nice and secure.Hassle-Free PC
Don’t throw it out! 5 handy uses for a secondary PC
Tossing out old PCs is such a wait. Put secondary computers to work instead with one of these five different uses.Hassle-Free PC
How to limit your PC’s data usage while tethering
For those times when only a tethering connection will do, here's how you can cut down on your data usage.
Hassle-Free PC
How to find free Internet for your laptop while traveling
A solid Internet connection isn't always available on the road. Here's three ways to stay connected almost anywhere.How-To
It’s cheap and easy to make your own portable hard drive from an old PC drive
An external enclosure is all you need to give your old storage a new lease on life.
Answer Line
A router and an extender: When your laptop doesn’t know which to use.
Sometimes, you need two or more access points to spread your Wi-Fi throughout the house. But that can confuse a computer.
How-To
How to fix your Internet connection in Ubuntu Linux
Ubuntu's networking should work out of the box with NetworkManager, but sometimes things go wrong. Here's how to get back online.How-To
How to troubleshoot your Chromebook’s internet connection
Chromebooks are designed to be online all the time, so it's no fun when you lose your connection.
Answer Line
Troubleshoot a dead Internet connection
Can’t get an Internet connection? Follow these steps to find the problem.Hassle-Free PC
Access your PCs from afar with Google’s free, simple Chrome Remote Desktop software
Getting remote access to your PCs has never been easier thanks to a Chrome browser extension from Google.
Hassle-Free PC
Two tricks to take the hassle out of managing Windows 8 Wi-Fi connections
Managing your Wi-Fi connections may not seem all that important…until it is.
Hassle-Free PC
Three essential tools for solving the worst Wi-Fi headaches
Wi-Fi is great, except when it's not. Here are three tools that will make your wireless life easier.Bugs & Fixes
Bugs & Fixes: Making Synology’s VPN private again
Synology updates its DiskStation Manager OS to solve a little problem with hardcoded passwords.Answer Line
Your IP address: Who can see it and what you can do about it
You need a visible IP address to surf the web, but you can manage some of that visibility to protect your privacy. Here's how.How-To
Bypassing content filters: How to see the web they don’t want you to see
Maybe it's your own digital content, geo-blocked overseas. Maybe it's something you're not supposed to see. These tools could get you to it, but proceed with caution.
Bugs & Fixes
Bugs & Fixes: The Moon Worm slinks by Linksys E-series routers
There's no real fix for this malware yet, but you can thwart it by keeping a specific setting disabled.
Bugs & Fixes
Bugs & Fixes: Asus router vulnerability gives Plug and Play a new meaning
Turning on Universal Plug and Play causes any attached storage to be exposed to the Internet. A manual firmware fix is available.
Answer Line
How to keep your neighbors from hijacking your Wi-Fi
Your Internet connection could be slow for many reasons, but you can rule out local Wi-Fi thieves by employing strong passwords and a few other strategies.
Answer Line
How to share Internet service with your neighbors, and why you shouldn’t
Whitney and her neighbors want to get on the same network, and share the same Internet connectionHow-To
How to reset the Wi-Fi password at your parents’ house on your holiday travels
Nothing spoils holiday travel quite like getting locked out of the house Wi-Fi. Here's how to help your folks set their networks aright.
Answer Line
Extend your Wi-Fi network throughout the house
The wireless signal from Aidan's router doesn't reach throughout the house. Here are a few ways to fix the problem.How-To
Ditch your ISP’s modem and change your Internet experience forever
If your ISP allows it, buying and installing your own modem can net you some sweet performance improvements and a cheaper monthly bill.How-To
5 Wi-Fi security myths you must abandon now
Save yourself and your friends from these outdated or inaccurate security techniques, and learn the current best practices.How-To
Break the Bottleneck: Smooth out your business’s voice and video streaming with QoS
Prioritize your network traffic to ensure consistent quality.
Hassle-Free PC
Add a Wi-Fi hotspot to Windows 8 with Virtual Router Plus
This free utility restores a capability that Microsoft removed from Windows 8, and does it with ease.
How-To
8 essential features you need in a business router
It's not enough to offer the latest wireless standard. Make sure the router that will support your office is up to snuff with these core features.Answer Line
Why some Web sites are much slower than others
John asked why one Web page "comes up right away, while another takes quite a long time to load."
Hassle-Free PC