How can my internet be this slow?

Question

Recently, my internet speed has dropped drastically; My connection states that I have 8.1mbps, but after noticing a big speed drop and taking several internet speed tests (speedtest.net) I have found out that I'm actually getting in the region of 50mbps (roughly 84kb/s download speed). This is disgraceful, considering I am supposed to be receiving more than 16 times this (1036kb/s).
I'm not running any CPU hogging programs when I run the tests, nor am I downloading anything, so I can't understand why I am only receiving this poor speed. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Michael.

Answer 1

Open Windows Task Manager, and check your networking traffic window. See if anything is using the network without you doing anything with a browser, etc.

If it's quiet, you are probably ok for malware. If it's busy - something on your system is using up the bandwidth without you knowing what it is - malware.

If it's quiet, next load your browser, and let it sit a bit. If it quiets down again, then you are ok (there will be some usage spike when it loads and checks for updates). If it gets busy and stays busy with a browser, then some tool has been added (Browser helper Object - BHO) that is using up the internet - usually infested with some malware that runs with the browser....



Otherwise, after a full virus scan, odds are it is your ISP that may be at fault. That is, assuming you do not have an open wireless router in your home. Even with WEP security on a wireless, you may be having someone stealing your network bandwidth without you even knowing. Nothing on your PC will show this. The router's logs may show who is connected (or if connected). You don't describe your network, so the wireless being accessed by some stranger is a guess - but it is a common source of "unknown" bandwidth usage problems.

Answer 2

What is your operating system on that pc? If it is XP or something more latest then microsoft has a program called SystemInternal, type that in google and download that small program. Then run it on your pc and it will show you which resources/Program taking up most of the pc power. Then if you recognize the program which you do not need to run all the time then you can stop that process. that's it. I am sure it will cure the problem.

Answer 3

Your provider might be over subscribing its own services. To get confirmation of this, see if the speeds change from when surfing at 3 am compared to noon, compared to peak time when most of your neighbors are at home surfing after 5 pm and before 10 pm.

Answer 4

The Windows Registry is the master control center for your operating system and applications it runs. Corruption or overload registry issues can cause all sorts of pc performance problems, including poor application startup times, slow Windows start-up, extremely slow shut down, slow internet surfing,inability to resume from computer sleep and more.Cleaning,compacting, and optimizing your Windows registry can go a long way to dramatically speeding up your computer’s performance, start-up and shutdown speed.

Recommended: Run a Registry Scan http://make-a-computer-run-better.com Now to Detect Errors and Improve your PC’s speed instantly!

Answer 5

Is this DSL? This will happen if you have DSL and you have something connected to your phone line without a DSL filter. Maybe you added an alarm system, cordless phone, satellite TV receiver, or something like that.

Answer 6

Your provider puts speed caps on your account, want you to upgrade. I guess you better find a new deal?...

Answer 7

Call Verizon and tell them or you might have to much stuff on your computer.

Answer 8

uhm....maybe someone is surfing the web (downloading/watching) ?

if not, then call the provider and ask for tech support.

Answer 9

Switch to Comcast, it happens if you have Verizon.

Answer 10

it is all a conspiracy by the corporations to get money for nothing! (and their chicks for free) :oP