How to improve your Wi-Fi signal at home

Every day more of the country gets better, faster Wi-Fi coverage. But that doesn’t stop your signal at home from dropping off or grinding to a halt every now and then. Here are the latest tips from our top experts on how to get the most from your home service.

Location, location, location

Wi-Fi waves are a lot shorter than the ones used for radio and mobile phone data, so most routers can probably manage about 150 feet, while a radio mast can probably manage several miles.

Many routers transmit downwards or horizontally rather than upwards, so you’ll want to make sure your router is not on the floor because that won’t work well with the waves.

Other electronic devices can affect your signal too, so keep your router away from televisions, DVD players, and microwaves.

When using free Wi-Fi outside your home, the biggest challenge isn’t to speed but making sure your data is safe from prying eyes. The best way to encrypt your information and keep private in public is a virtual private network or VPN. The Norton Secure VPN creates a secure tunnel for any information you send or receive from your Mac, PC, or mobile devices while connected to public Wi-Fi. Learn more about Norton Secure VPN.