Best Practices for a Good Internet Experience
• Maintain Your PC
Keep your computer up to date. This includes Windows and Anti-Virus Updates. Be aware of your
computers age and hardware limitations. MT recommends PCs run Microsoft Windows 7 for the
best security and performance.
• Know the Limitations of Wireless
When using a wireless router in your home it is important to check all of these steps.
1. Make sure your router is secure and requires a password to connect.
2. Always check the signal to the device to ensure proper communication. The location of the
router vs the location of the equipment in the home affects the strength of the signal.
3. Check for other wireless devices in your home that can cause interference. These devices
generally operate at 2.4 GHz. (Examples: cordless phones, baby monitors, wireless security
cameras, wireless satellite TV extenders, and microwave ovens).
• Do not overload your connection
You subscribe to a set amount of bandwidth and must make sure you have enough. Be aware of
usage on your connection that can cause your connection to the Internet to slow down. Peer to
Peer or file sharing programs, streaming video, data downloads, and multiple concurrent users
will all consume bandwidth and affect your Internet speeds. If this happens you may need to
subscribe a plan with faster speeds.
• Run Speed Tests
Run speed tests to ensure you are getting the proper speed you are subscribing to. Remember
that when running speed tests, make sure your connection is idle. Turn off any other devices that
use the Internet when running the test to get an accurate result. This test can show and help
troubleshoot problems with your connection. Go to www.marktwain.net and click on our
“Bandwidth SpeedTest” button to check your speed.
