Tag Archives: internet

iPads, Make Tech Easier

I’m Having Network Issues!

Here is some general advice on figuring out why your devices aren’t working well at home – in no particular order.

One of the first things to do is to check your connection with the outside world. A handy website:
www.speedtest.net
Anytime your connection seems wonky, fire up a web browser, surf to this site, and click the go button. After the test, you’ll have three numbers:

PING measures how long it takes a “Are you there?” message to travel between your machine and a distant server. A longer PING time, or much slower upload/download speeds than normal, indicates a problem with your connection to the outside world.

If there is a problem – the only thing YOU have control over is your router. Try rebooting it [turn it on/off – sometimes the only way is to unplug it.]  The router plugs into the Cox cable connection .

Other things to try:

The iPad reboot dance: http://tech2.mountdesales.net/?p=800. It really IS important to swipe out of running apps.

Make sure you have room on your iPad. Details are here –> http://tech2.mountdesales.net/?p=916

If you have an OS update pending, get it installed. It is generally best to start the update at night – some of these can take a good long while.

When things aren’t working well, check network connectivity with multiple devices. If only one device is wonky, then you know it’s the device. If all of them, then you know it’s either the router, the connection, or the problem is upstream from you.

Cox Support has an automated tool you can access – call up the tech support number, select cox internet, residential… and somewhere in that phone tree is an option to automatically test the line. That’s a good way to test your connection as well – can the Cox network see your router?

In terms of wireless setup, there are some other things to note:

  • These are changes that would be made on your wireless router. How you get into these settings will change from router to router, and I cannot help you there. You can look up online how to access settings for your particular model router, though.
  • If your  wireless settings have both 2.4GHz and 5 GHz radios, try turning the 2.4Ghz band OFF unless you have an older device in the house that ONLY has that type of radio. [Robot vacuums, for example – or really old iPads].
  • There might be some places in the router where you can look for an open channel – you want your router to transmit on a channel that no one nearby is using. Interference from a neighbor can cause all sorts of network wonkiness.
  • Elevate your router – keep it off the floor, if that’s possible. 

Make Tech Easier, More, Network, Websites

Make the Internet Not-So-Scary

There are people [and machines that people set up] that are constantly scanning the internet, trying to see if there are holes or unlocked doors that they can get in.

This is really no different than real life – after all, we lock our cars because there are people who will walk through parking lots, trying doors to see what they can open and steal.

Online reflects real life in that sense – there are options and features that are cool or easy to use, and people to meet . There are also options and features that can be MISused [debit card fraud, to mention one thing.]

So “scared” isn’t a practical approach to online. “Cautious” and “Aware” are better approaches. Just like you lock your house and car – and maybe even purchase a security system – with the idea that it won’t prevent ALL thieves, but will hopefully prevent MOST….. take the same approach with online safety.

Here are some common sense practical things you can do to stay safe online. Sadly, we cannot guarantee you won’t get AGGRAVATED online…. that’s a whole ‘nother issue.

  1. Don’t reuse passwords. Seriously – just don’t. The criminals are cross-referencing information they steal from all these companies.
  2. Avoid using dictionary words in your passwords. ANY dictionary words. Remove the consonants, abbreviate, SOMETHING….. just don’t use words that are in any dictionary.
  3. Don’t give out your password to ANYONE. Even tech support won’t ask you for it.
  4. Don’t give out your social security number or any critical piece of information like that to anyone who calls you. Those threats that “your account will be shut down” or “you are going to be arrested if you don’t do this” are bogus. Report them.
  5. When a computer goes insane, it is NOT automatically a “virus”. Sometimes the computer hamsters just go out to lunch. When in doubt, shut the thing down, go get a nice beverage, and start it back up.
  6. Make SURE those apps your are downloading from the App store are legit. There are MANY stories online of “free apps” that actually did nefarious things – everything from bitcoin mining to swiping your entire phone contact list and passwords to eavesdropping. Note that Android devices are more susceptible, but IOS devices can also be messed with.