If a slow Wi-Fi internet connection is hampering your online activities, there are various methods that can help boost the speed, and you don’t need to be a tech genius to use them. Whether you suspect network issues or simply want to get the most out of your Wi-Fi, the tricks below should help improve your internet speed and overall online experience.
1. Amplify with tinfoil:
This simple household hack can increase your signal strength by some decibels. Just by shaping some tinfoil into a parabolic reflector, you can steer Wi-Fi signals in a chosen direction. A swift YouTube search will result in a multitude of tutorials on this topic.
2. Share your Mac’s Wi-Fi connection:
If you possess an internet-connected Mac and desire to disseminate its connection wirelessly, this can be done by directing to ‘System Preferences’, then ‘Sharing’, click on ‘Internet Sharing’, select ‘Wi-Fi’ as your preferred connection mode for the other device, and check ‘Internet Sharing’ box to originate a Wi-Fi hotspot.
3. Network troubleshoot with NetStumbler:
NetStumbler, or Network Stumbler, is a Windows-compatible tool that identifies Wireless LANs utilizing various WLAN standards, including 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g. It assists in detecting network issues that might be impacting your Wi-Fi speed and connection.
4. Conceal your network by disabling SSID broadcasting:
Turning off SSID (Service Set Identifier) broadcasting can make your network undetectable to unwelcome users. It essentially removes your network’s name from the list of accessible Wi-Fi networks. This can be achieved by logging into your router’s admin page, navigating to your router’s Wi-Fi broadcasting option, and deselect ‘Enable SSID Broadcast’.
5. Control access to your Wi-Fi network:
By creating a MAC (Media Access Control) address access list, you can regulate which devices can join your network, providing an extra layer of security and aiding in prohibiting unauthorized usage of your connection.
6. Utilize WPA Encryption:
Implementing Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) or Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) can considerably improve your network’s security. These are security protocols developed to secure wireless networks, protecting them against unsanctioned access and potential intrusion attempts. To enable WPA encryption, login to your router’s admin page and set your WPA passphrase to a complex one to guess.
7. Examine network traffic with Wireshark:
Wireshark is a free and open-source packet analyzer. It provides network troubleshooting, analysis, and software and communications protocol development capabilities, assisting you in identifying any issues that affect your internet connection’s speed or performance.
8. Extend range with a Wireless Signal Repeater:
A wireless repeater takes an existing signal from a wireless router or access point and rebroadcasts it to create a secondary network. If your home or office has areas with weak Wi-Fi coverage, a repeater can extend the range of your network to those spots, ensuring a stable connection throughout the location.
Minor enhancements were applied in 2025 for readability.
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