Networking issues

Wonky Wi-Fi and shaky Safari

Why isn’t my Wi-Fi working?

> Your Mac can tell you. Hold down å and click the Wi-Fi icon in your menu bar and you’ll see lots of information and an option for Wireless Diagnostics, which can help you identify and fix common problems with your Wi-Fi. You can also enable Wi-Fi logging to track intermittent problems over time.

How do I find shared files?

> In Finder, click Network in the sidebar (under Locations) and you double-click on the computer you want to connect to. Once you’ve connected you should now see the files and folders that have been shared with you. You can add shared folders to the Finder sidebar for quick access in future.

Why am I getting an invalid security certificate warning?

> Certificates are used by secure websites to prove they are who they say they are, but sometimes the certificates aren’t renewed on time or the server settings have changed since your last visit. Sometimes a Mac set to the wrong date or time can generate an error.

Why do I keep losing my Wi-Fi connection?

> Step one is to turn off your router, wait 30 seconds and restart it. If it feels very warm or signal strength isn’t great, changing its location may prevent overheating or improve network quality: Wi-Fi doesn’t cope well with metal obstructions such as radiators or filing cabinets.

Do I need antivirus?

> The short answer is no, but the longer answer is maybe. If you take security seriously, don’t download apps from dark corners of the web and never click on a suspicious email then Macs are generally more secure than PCs, but if you share your Mac with others then it might be a wise investment.

How do I share my network?

> Share your internet connection with other devices by enabling Internet Sharing in System Preferences > Sharing. For example, you might choose to share from your Ethernet connection to other devices via Wi-Fi, turning your Mac into a wireless hotspot, or share your Wi-Fi with other Macs via Ethernet.

Why can’t I get online?

> Most our our woes are because we’re out of Wi-Fi range, because the login has changed, because we need to reboot our router or because our Wi-Fi is fine but our broadband is down. If your phone’s handy, use it to check your broadband provider’s network status page to make sure there’s an internet to connect to.

What does too many redirects mean?

> This is a safety feature in Safari that’s activated when a web page sends you to another page, which sends you back and gets stuck in a loop. Unfortunately it can also be triggered by some Google services, which won’t work unless you disable cross-site tracking protection in Safari’s preferences.

When should I use a VPN?

> If you just want to protect your web browsing and you’re an iCloud subscriber, Safari will include a VPN-style feature called Private Relay in macOS Monterey. But there are lots of third-party Virtual Private Network (VPN) providers. A VPN disguises your location and makes it hard to track or intercept your data, and it can also bypass geographical blocking. That means it’s good for protecting online privacy or for accessing content, such as YouTube video, that isn’t available in your country.

Why can’t my app connect to the internet?

> It could be your system firewall. Click  > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall to see if it’s switched on and, if it is, to see what traffic it’s limiting. For example there’s a toggle that allows built-in apps – that is, Apple ones – to work but that blocks third-party ones.