Frequently Asked Questions > Computer Troubleshooting

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How do I know if I have a virus or spyware (malware)?
How do I keep viruses and spyware off of my computer?
What is DSL Internet?
I have a wireless network and I can’t connect to it. What do I do?
My computer is slow and I want to increase the speed. What could be causing the issue?
What is Cable Internet?
What is Satellite Internet?

Q: How do I know if I have a virus or spyware (malware)?
A: Spyware could be part of a computer virus. And, even though you may remove the virus or fix the problems it caused, the spyware remains on the computer, collecting data and reporting back to parties interested in stealing information. Clues that you may have spyware:

• Slow Internet connection.
• Excessive amount of annoying pop-up windows.
• Computer crashes.
• Identity theft.

To find out if you have a virus or spyware, run your virus protection software and any scanning tools.

Q: How do I keep viruses and spyware off of my computer?
A: Here’s what you can do:

• Be cautious of suspicious emails from unknown sources, as they can infect your computer.
• Steer clear of websites of ill repute — these are a haven for malicious and annoying intruders.
• Make sure that you have anti-virus and anti-spyware installed and don’t forget to update it every week.
• Be sure to update your PC with the latest patches from Microsoft.

Q: What is DSL Internet?
A: A DSL modem connects your computer to a phone line in order to transmit digital data. If your computer already has an internal modem (called a voiceband modem), you can “dial-in” through your telephone landline. Otherwise, you’d need to purchase an external modem. Provider companies sometimes offer these at no charge with your subscription. Those usually connect to your USB port.

The speed at which a DSL modem sends and receives data varies from hundreds of Kilobits per second to many Megabits.

Advantages:
-You can access both the internet and your phone line at the same time.
-Faster speed than dial-up.
-Ability to choose between different connection speeds and pricing from various providers.

Disadvantages
-Receives data faster than it sends it.
-Sometimes not available in remote areas.
-The farther you are from the provider’s central location, the slower the transmission.

Q: I have a wireless network and I can’t connect to it. What do I do?
A: Power cycling your modem can often restore connectivity. Here’s how:

• Shut down and turn off all computers on the network.
• Unplug both the cable modem and router.
• Wait a few minutes. Plug in the cable modem.
• After the lights stop flashing on the cable modem (could take up to a minute), plug the router back in.
• Wait until the lights stop flashing on the router. Turn on any computer on the network.

Q: My computer is slow and I want to increase the speed. What could be causing the issue?
A: There could be a number of things causing your PC to run slower. It could be that you have too may programs running in the background. Or it may be from spyware or viruses. Bring it into your local PC repair center. They can diagnose the problem and fix it.

Q: What is Cable Internet?
A: A cable modem transmits digital data over existing cable television lines. They can either be internal or external. The speed at which it sends and receives data varies from just a few Megabits per second to many Megabits.

Advantages:
-Performance isn’t based on distance from the provider’s central location.
-Faster speed than dial-up and most often DSL.

Disadvantages:
-You share the available bandwidth of a single cable line with others in your neighborhood. The more people using it at the same time, the slower the performance.
-Could be more costly than DSL.
-Sometimes not available in remote areas.

Q: What is Satellite Internet?
A: This employs a satellite in orbit to relay data from the satellite company to each customer. Satellite Internet is usually among the most expensive ways of gaining broadband Internet access, but in rural areas it may only compete with cellular broadband.

Advantages:
-True global broadband Internet access availability
-Mobile connection to the Internet (with some providers

Disadvantages:
-Very high latency compared to other broadband services, especially 2-way satellite service
-Unreliable: drop-outs are common during travel, inclement weather, and during sunspot activity
-The narrow-beam highly directional antenna must be accurately pointed to the satellite orbiting overhead
-One-way satellite service requires the use of a modem or other data uplink connection
-VoIP is not supported.