Slow internet is probably one of the most frequent headaches that users encounter. It is one of those problems that can have its roots in many places within the computer system, and even outside of it. It is sometimes caused by the user unknowingly and in other instances, it is caused by others. It manifests itself in sluggish page loads, unreasonably long time to download e-mail (for those who like me still insist on using an e-mail application), video streaming in fits and starts, slow file downloads and annoying interruptions to video chats, just to mention a few.

Getting to the bottom of the problem can be tricky business, and while some learn to live with the problem until the situation becomes unbearable, others simply fixate on a probable cause and waste a lot of precious time in chasing the wild goose. The following hints are aimed at identifying and possibly eliminating this problem in an organised manner.

The computer system itself and the installed programmes, including the browser, are the most common and main culprits of dreadful internet experiences. Browser add-ons and other background applications consume computer resources that could otherwise be allocated to the browser – keep only those that are really needed. The browser cache keeps track of your surfing history and in the process stores audio, video and other files to make browsing faster. Accumulation of these temporary files over a long period of time can yield to the opposite result. Clear it on a regular basis – it helps!

Different internet programmes compete for space on your internet pipe, with some being more, much more, greedy than others. Applications that transfer huge amounts of data onto your computer are a common cause of mishaps.

Simultaneous downloads of big files without any restrictions on the download rate allocated to such applications can potentially drag not only the internet experience on that PC but also that of others connected to the same modem. Files made available for sharing without limiting the upload speed, even if there is no download activity, can also bring the rest of your internet activity to a grinding halt.

No one can expect a virus-infected computer to perform properly. While it is obvious to many that an updated virus protection programme is a must, many others still believe that they can live without it. The latter are wrong.

Wireless has opened a plethora of new challenges; some obvious, some even less so. A wireless access point that is tucked away in a cupboard does not perform as well as one that is in plain sight. And yes, walls do make a difference.

Good practice dictates encrypted and password protected access points but unintended (sic) sharing of a neighbour’s wireless link is a more common occurrence than one might think. Obviously the legitimate owner can never enjoy the full glory of his contract with his ISP.

Finally, problems with the internet connection from the ISP to the modem can also cause speed issues. After having excluded all of the above possible causes, contact with the ISP remains a viable next thing to consider. Of course, we at are available to help users experiencing connection problems in a fast and efficient way.

The best problem that one could experience is complete disruption since that is usually straightforward to sort out. The more challenging issues are those that intermittently cause browsing to slow down for no apparent reason. As much as the cause could have its roots with the wiring or equipment feeding bandwidth to the internet connection, it could well be outside the control of the ISP. It is not by coincidence that the internet is called the worldwide web. Getting to the server that has the desired internet content (page, video or audio) is not like going from point A to point B but more like going from A to H via B, C, D, E, F and G. Some sites are inherently slower for one or more reasons including: geographical distance, slow link of the server to the internet, inadequate server or network hardware, popularity or a combination of any. Any congestion along the way or at the intersections can slow browsing.

Mr Vella is the senior manager for customer service support at Go plc.

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