Boost WiFi at Home, Part 2

Boost WiFi at Your Home, Part 2

After last week’s article about how to boost your WiFi network, I’m sure you headed straight out to buy a Wireless-N, dual-band router and removed all the cement or brick walls in your home or office to allow for optimal placement and signal transmission, right? No? Never fear.  While an up-to-date router is an integral part of a stable, strong WiFi network, there are even more ways to improve your home or office network that don’t require a sledge hammer or building permit.

First, a quick recap of last week’s tips one through three: upgrade to Wireless-N, eliminate signal interference from other networks or electronics in the area, and install your router in a central, high location for a clear, unobstructed signal.

Step four: kick out piggy-backers.

If someone is using your network without your knowledge it'll definitely slow things down.  WiFi networks are easier to hack than you may think, even if you've set up a WPA security key (i.e. password) on your network.  If you don’t have a password on your network, for the love of Star Wars please go do that now.  Login to your router, turn on WPA encryption and set a password.  You’ll need to also update all of the computers and devices on your network so that they provide the password when connecting.

Unfortunately, there are free programs that allow anyone to hack your network’s password, giving unscrupulous WiFi leeches access to your network.


If you think you may be the victim of a network hacker, check out the free network monitoring software offered by Zamzom.com (http://www.zamzom.com/).  Follow the tutorial video to see how the program identifies all the computers and devices accessing your WiFi network.  Use the tutorial’s tips to lock down your network or contact a trusted networking professional to help you determine if a router firmware program or stronger hardware firewall may help.

Step five: prioritize your programs.

It’s very common for network speed to slow when experiencing heavy traffic.  If your WiFi network experiences a rush-hour clog when everyone in the house is online (downloading videos, streaming media, playing online games, etc), your router’s “Quality of Service” (QoS) settings may be able to help direct traffic.

Use QoS to set rules that your router will follow to prioritize the programs and functions you need (like surfing the net) over those that may be hogging your bandwidth unnecessarily (like the kids playing online games when they should be doing homework).  Or you can elect to prioritize certain devices (like your computer) over others (like the Xbox).

Unfortunately, not all routers support QoS, so you'll have to check your user manual or make sure to purchase one that does if you're buying new.  For a detailed walkthrough, check-out Lifehacker’s article “Ensure a Fast Internet Connection When You Need It” (http://lifehacker.com/326543/ensure-a-fast-internet-connection-when-you-need-it).

Step six: extend your router’s range with a repeater or DIY tweaks.

For less than $30, you can add a stronger receiver to your computer or laptop, allowing the system that’s always had trouble connecting due to distance from the router, obstacles or poor receptiveness to miraculously get online.  The Rosewill RNX-N180UBE USB External Antenna Wireless Adapter (www.rosewill.com/products/1721/ProductDetail_Overview.htm, Amazon, $23) plugs into your computer or laptop’s USB slot.  The antenna increases the receiving strength of your computer.

If you’re short on funds, you can explore your inner Nerd with a DIY antennae made with aluminum foil, a file folder, some glue and scissors.  Just search YouTube for "WindSurfer Antenna" for a video tutorial.  Some users swear they’ve seen as much as an 82% increase in their wireless strength, but your mileage may vary.   But for the bargain price of free, there’s nothing to lose.

Tired of Spotty Reception? Boost WiFi at Home

Boost Wifi Reception at Home with These Tips

Wi-Fi makes connecting to the Internet seem like magic.  There's a wonderful signal passing through the air that makes my phone work faster and unplugs my laptop from the cable - miraculous!  If you're affected by slow speed or bad reception, however, staying connected can be a drag.  Try these tricks to improve your home or office WiFi.

Step one: consider your hardware. 

If your router is even a few years old, it may be time to upgrade.  A router that’s slow or incapable of transmitting a lot of data at once will compromise your whole network.

Anyone using an older generation of wireless router (designated as Wireless-A, -B, or –G) should consider upgrading to a Wireless-N router, especially if you have multiple systems connecting simultaneously, stream HD video to your computer or TV, or play online games.  Wireless-N supports a larger bandwidth, meaning your network can process more data simultaneously.  It won’t get bogged down as quickly by multiple devices getting online at the same time or accessing a large file.


While Wireless-N routers are backward-compatible, the best performance improvement requires that your device support a Wireless-N connection as well.  This may require that you upgrade the WiFi access card in a desktop or laptop.

Step two: eliminate interference.

If you have neighbors with WiFi networks in close enough proximity, it can interfere with your network’s stability.  There are a number of channels routers can operate on and if you're using the same channel or one too "close" to your neighbor it will degrade your signal.  WiFi Stumbler (www.meraki.com/products/wireless/wifi-stumbler, free) is a network locator application that provides a graph of the channels available to you.  Choose a channel with the most space around it as possible.  It's OK to pick up some competing signals near you so long as they're weaker than yours.  Don't choose a channel with a strong competing signal - pick a one that keeps its distance from other signals.

If you have a lot of electronics in or around your home, you may also benefit from a "dual band" router.  Single band routers operate on the 2.4 GHz band, a relatively crowded signal interface used by many wireless phones, microwaves, baby monitors, and many more common electronics.  A dual band router operates on both the standard 2.4Ghz radio and less crowded 5Ghz radio, offering a signal that’s less prone to interference.  If you can’t upgrade to a dual-band router, move your router as far from conflicting appliances as possible.

Step three: location, location, location.

WiFi transmission can be blocked or weakened by obstructions between the router and the device. Don’t hide it away in a cabinet - position your router centrally, without too many thick walls to block its signal.  Point antennas vertically and elevate it if possible.  WiFi signals travel best down and sideways, so placing your router in the attic or a on a high shelf may give your signal a little boost.  One caveat: if it drops signal often or requires frequent resets, make sure your router is easily accessible.

Stay tuned next week for more ways to improve the strength and reliability of your WiFi network.