Working remotely is about network
Q: I have been asked to work from home and my internet connection seems to drop out more frequently now that I am using programs like Zoom to teleconference with my colleagues. Is there anything I can do to make my connection more stable?
A: Now that many of us are being asked to engage in social distancing by working from home, we’re really starting to put some pressure on our home networks.
If at all possible, connect the computer you are using for telecommuting to the Ethernet of your home network, as this can be much more stable than Wi-Fi. If you must use Wi-Fi, get as close to the router as possible to improve the connection and disconnect any devices that don’t need access.
You may also need to reduce the use of streaming services like Netflix and YouTube to open up some bandwidth for doing your job if you don’t have a robust home network and high-speed internet service.
If you suspect you are having trouble with your provider, don’t hesitate to contact them to have them check your service.
Q: Like many computer users, I have been really happy with the antivirus software AVG Free. For the past several months I have been getting pop-up ads and it has gotten so annoying that it almost borders on spam. Is there a way to turn off these annoying ads?
A: Software vendors like AVG put out free versions of their software, but they include advertisements as a way to generate revenue.
These pop-ups also serve as means to prod you into paying for their product. It’s a form of what is commonly referred to as nagware. They’re hoping that you’ll grow tired of the interruptions and purchase the full version of the application.
If you have benefited from the software and you want to keep using it adfree, you will need to upgrade to the paid version.
I understand that paying for the software is not always financially feasible. If you are wanting an alternative you can try using the built-in Windows Defender Antivirus that is included with Windows 10.