How An Optimized And Secure Internet Is A Gift That Keeps Giving

Whether you are shopping online for deals of the season, streaming your favorite classic holiday movies and music 24/7 through December, or expecting a house full of guests (and their devices), a lagging internet is the last thing you want. A secure, speedy internet is key to a holly-jolly season and smooth streaming into the new year. So here are recommendations for what we think is the gift that keeps giving: A fast and safe internet connection that supports your household needs. 

Let’s unwrap 6 tips for 

optimizing your internet: 

1. Optimize Router Placement: This point might seem obvious, but remember to show your router some love. Find a central hub for your router, somewhere free from signal-stealing obstructions including microwaves, walls, windows and cordless phones. 

2. Use Ethernet: Game consoles, desktop computers and streaming boxes will generally enjoy more consistent speeds and less signal interference with a wired connection. Go with a wired connection on devices where an Ethernet cable is within reach.

3. Share the Signal: Consider switching off or temporarily disconnecting certain devices when you’re not using them. Is someone streaming a movie in the living room? Maybe you could switch your video call to audio-only. Every little bit helps.

4. Manage and Prioritize: Downloading and streaming are bandwidth-intensive. Download large files such as movies, music and audiobooks during off-peak traffic times. Save files to your hard drive. You’ll still be able to enjoy them anytime—offline—without gobbling up bandwidth. If you can, schedule automatic system updates on your devices for overnight, when the network is less busy.

5. Use Technology to Help: If you’re still struggling with wireless dead zones or hard-to-reach corners of your home, range extenders, repeaters and mesh networks can help. Range extenders and repeaters grab existing WiFi signals from your router and rebroadcasts them. Mesh networks use a series of nodes set up in the home to distribute a wireless signal.

6. Consider a Managed WiFi Option: Managed WiFi service leaves set-up, maintenance and troubleshooting with your service provider. You can get help setting up your router, adding devices and securing the best signal.

Yes to Sugar plums. 

No to Hacks.

Once you’ve optimized your internet, the information at your fingertips is traveling at lightspeed–so is the opportunity to be hacked. Here’s one way to protect your privacy and your family, so all you have to think about are sugar-plums and long winter naps: 

Shop safely online

When shopping online look for sites that include “https” in the address bar of the shopping cart, or an unbroken padlock icon at the bottom of the browser window. You might also want to check the website’s privacy policy and look for opportunities to opt out of information sharing. 

Tip: Smaller storefronts might not have sophisticated enough security (unless they use a secure third-party payment system such as PayPal), but big name stores can be vulnerable to data hackers, too. Don’t store passwords on the site and be sure to clear your browsing history and completely close all windows after making an online purchase.

Stocking Stuffer: 

Arvig’s Holiday Page

For extra holiday cheer, check out Arvig’s holiday page arvig.com/holiday. Inspired by the North Pole’s jolly vibe, it provides fun and festive tips, videos and guides to help you launch into the season of celebrations with the internet speed you need and provides gift ideas to assist even the most tech-savvy shoppers.