Watch out for the software that slows down the internet

Do you think that the websites in your browser are loading too slowly and you're not happy with the speed of the file downloading? Before you start looking for a problem by your provider of the Internet connection, find out if you are not using software on your computer which put a load on your connection disproportionately. Many computer programs run in the background, so you often don't even notice that they use your network for the whole day.

How to find out which programs use the Internet connection

The easiest way how to detect the use of your Internet network by individual programs in real time is to look into the task manager. At the system Windows, you press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select "Task Manager" to start it. You will immediately see which applications are currently running on the system, how much they load your processor, memory, disk and network.

You can also turn off concrete applications from the user environment of the manager. For example, if you are currently using an Internet browser, you will immediately see how fast it downloads files. For the most running programs, the transmission speed should be zero. Maybe this is where you can discover a program that uses the Internet connection without having any idea about it.

Turn off the programs and get the speed measurement to work

You can also test the load of the Internet network and its subsequent slowdown due to software by simply measuring the speed. Run the test during the applications are running and write down the measured values. Then turn off the applications that could slow down the Internet unnecessarily and repeat the measurement. If the transmission speed is significantly higher (focus on download and upload speeds), you've identified the source of the problem. You can then turn off the application, change the settings for using the Internet connection, or uninstall it.

P2P networks and torrents

Be careful if you use programs on your computer that use the principle of P2P networks. Just these can load your internet connection in a significant way. While the previously used Direct Connect protocol for peer-to-peer file sharing has almost fallen into oblivion, the distribution of files via so-called torrents is still successfully used up to now, all over the world. Unfortunately, torrents are most often used for illegal data downloads. If you use one of the clients to download torrents on your own, be aware that they load your network not only with downloading, but also with uploading. This is because you share with other users parts of the files that you have already downloaded.

If you don't turn off the client after downloading the required file, it will use your Internet connection continuously for further sharing. The programs for P2P file-sharing usually run in the background, so you normally don't even notice that they are slowing down the Internet. If you do decide to use such applications, keep them turned on only at the moment when you are actually downloading files. You can find out again in the already mentioned file manager whether the software runs in the background. At the same time, in the settings, turn off the automatic activation of the application when the computer is turned on.

The Spotify application has long time ago abandoned the P2P architecture

In the past, the problem of slowing down the Internet by using the P2P architecture had to be solved by large application operators, including the popular Spotify program, which is used for streaming music all around the world. After a wave of criticism in 2013, when it was found out that it uses the P2P architecture and shares the songs with other listeners each other, thus loads the Internet connection, it abandoned such a solution. For more than 6 years, the Spotify application has not used the P2P sharing, so it loads the Internet only during the downloading of songs into the memory.

Files backup

If you have software for automatic file updating installed on your computer, you must keep in your mind that it will also take a large part of the total volume of the Internet speed. Therefore, set the automatic backup to a date and time at which slowing down the Internet does not limit you too much. If you know that you need to use the maximum speed of the connection at a moment, leave the update until later. Even in this case, there may be a problem with the software running in the background, when you will have no idea about the current backup.

Antivirus software may slow down page loading

Antivirus programs are a separate chapter. They should not in slow down the speed of the Internet (except for updates). However, some antivirus programs may slow down page loading. How is it possible? When we download a file or open a website, the antivirus program must scan and check the file.

The speed of the Internet doesn't change, the files and pages in the browser are downloaded very quickly, but the antivirus needs some time to check it. If you feel that the antivirus reduces the speed of loading in a staggering way, try to turn it off it for a while. If the loading speed speeds up rapidly, think about the change your antivirus program.

Malware, adware, spyware

The big problem are undiserable applications, which not only slow down the speed of the Internet, but also threaten your safety. Malware, adware, spyware and other types of computer vermin have nothing to do in your computer. They work secretly, so you don't usually see them in the task manager. The only solution is to use quality antivirus programs and prevention. Once in a while, carry out an in-depth scan and use antispyware. It often detects malware, adware, or spyware on your computer that a common antivirus software may not find during scanning.