BandwidthBar

A broadband connection, like ADSL, is the only real way to connect to the Internet if you want to use it effectively. In South Africa we find ourselves with a cap on the amount of bandwidth that we can use each month. Many people realise, with a shock, that their cap has been used up but cannot account for all the data that ‘apparently’ been downloaded and uploaded.

 

The major problem of having a broadband connection is that it is always connected to the Internet. This means that your computer has access to the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Any programmes that like to use the Internet, either for automatic updates or to provide you with the latest news, can use your bandwidth even when you are not sitting at your computer! While it may not seem like a very big thing, these small numbers can add up and use up quite a lot of bandwidth. It is better to turn automatic updates off so you can monitor when and what is being downloaded at all times.

 

Files sharing and torrents are also culprits when it comes to using up what little cap you have. Most file sharing programmes don’t close when you exit but minimise to the system tray and are still running in the background. As long as the programme is running your computer is uploading data to other peers and downloading whatever you haven’t paused or finished downloading. Always ensure that file sharing programmes are properly shut down so that you don’t end up sharing your bandwidth with people trying to download your files.

 

Viruses, spyware and adware are also prime suspects. These malicious little programmes lurk on your computer and continuously receive and send information via your broadband connection. They open web pages without your permission, download programmes you don’t want or need and generally muck about with what little bandwidth you have. Always install software to fight off viruses, spyware and adware to protect what little bandwidth you have.

 

It may seem rather silly to make this fuss over protecting bandwidth but the fact of the matter is that bandwidth in South Africa is, for the time being, still rather expensive. Just by remembering these few tips you will be able to save a lot of money and bandwidth and keep surfing when you need to.

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