Rev Up Your Net Connection

Is your Internet connection as fast and trouble-free as it could be? Probably not. Is there something that you can do to make it better? Definitely.

A cable connection is fast--sometimes. The many different types of DSL are zippy, too, but the installation hassles they sometimes entail are legendary. Then there are the dark horse candidates: satellite and wireless. These offer quick downloads, but who knows what'll happen when sunspot activity picks up or some other atmospheric phenomenon interferes? Finally, there's the venerable dial-up modem. It's definitely not speedy, but it isn't too old to be taught a few new tricks.

Whatever kind of connection you use, you can get more performance out of it. Our 29 tips cover dial-up, DSL, cable, satellite, and fixed wireless. First we briefly describe what you need to know before making the connection, then we discuss optimizing your link, and finally we explain how to troubleshoot a faulty connection. Naturally, some tips apply to a single type of Internet link, and others apply to multiple types. Each tip is marked with one or more icons that identify the connection methods it refers to (see the key).

More and more people use their Internet link to log in to a corporate network from their home or other remote location, usually via a virtual private network. We offer a quick look at VPN in "Connection Inc." And we describe utilities and Web sites that will help you move into the fast lane in our "Supercharged Surfing" chart.