Quick privacy tip: Task Manager on a Windows PC and Activity Monitor on a Mac can give you an overview of everything happening on your machine. On a PC, hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Click the Processes tab. On a Mac, hit Cmd + spacebar to open Spotlight Search. Then, type Activity Monitor and press Enter. See anything weird? Google it before you panic.
How to check what's hogging your internet connection
Bandwidth is a hot commodity, even more so when living in a rural area or a region with notoriously lousy internet service. But sometimes your slow internet is caused by your ISP. Tap or click here to see if your ISP is throttling your speeds.
If your ISP isn’t the problem, what is? Where can you go for the answers you need if you’re at home and noticing a lag?
Fortunately, there is a simple way to see what’s hogging your internet connection. Keep reading to find out how.
How to check what’s using the most bandwidth
Checking your bandwidth usage on a Mac and PC is super simple.
On a Mac, all you have to do is:
- Hit CMD + Space to open Spotlight.
- Search for or select Activity Monitor.
- Click on the Network tab.
Here, you’ll see a breakdown of bandwidth usage by app. Large downloads, 4K streams and apps pinging a server frequently may affect your network speeds. Continue to do this for all the devices connected to your network until you find the real issue.
You might also consider using software that can show you who’s using your internet or simply consult the router itself for nefarious, unauthorized guests. Are your neighbors stealing your internet? Tap or click here to find out what to do about it.
Windows users can see what’s using the most bandwidth by opening Task Manager. Here’s how:
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on Windows 10 or Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows 11.
- Choose Performance.
- Under the Wi-Fi chart, watch for unusual spikes in activity.
- After, hop back into Processes, sorting by Network Usage.
- The heaviest users will be filtered to the top, exposing any potential apps or malware going haywire.
Sometimes, the problem will be as simple as a clunky website serving you too many ads simultaneously. Be on the lookout for strange names you don’t recognize. If nothing seems amiss, however, what should you try next?
Signs your phone or computer is infected with a virus or keylogger
No matter your device, a hacker with enough gumption and know-how can break in.
Here are surefire ways to know if your system has been hacked and what you can do to fix or prevent it, brought to you by sponsor TotalAV. Your best defense against viruses, keyloggers and other malware? A solid security suite.
Tackle your to-do lists with these 5 great apps
Adulting is hard. When you were a child, the most important thing you had to remember was when is rectangle pizza day for school lunch. Tap or click here for a helpful scheduling app.
But when you get older, you have meetings, doctor appointments, kids to pick up from daycare and much more to remember. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. With the help of technology, you can always have a digital to-do list in your hand.
Save space on your computer by disabling these 7 Windows 10 features
Your computer doesn’t come out of the box perfectly optimized. There are a few built-in features that might even slow your system down. Some exist to help you, like Windows 10’s Power saver plan.
This feature lowers your PC’s performance to save energy. If you don’t like it, change it by heading to Control Panel and clicking Hardware and Sound. Click Power Options > Show additional plans > High performance.
Give your PC a boost: Trim down startup programs that take forever to load. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then hit the Startup tab to view all the programs that fire up when Windows starts. Right-click and disable any you don’t need right away when your system reboots.
Quick privacy tip: Task Manager on a Windows PC and Activity Monitor on a Mac can give you an overview of everything happening on your machine. On a PC, hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Click the Processes tab. On a Mac, hit Cmd + spacebar to open Spotlight Search. Then, type Activity Monitor and press Enter. See anything weird? Google it before you panic.
Be the James Bond of Windows: There’s a secret version of the Start menu. Hold down the Windows key and click the letter X, and you’ll access an advanced menu with Device Manager, Task Manager and Disk Management options. You can also right-click on the Start button to access this menu.
💻 Ctrl + Alt + Del for Chromebook: Press Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Scan the list of apps and webpages. If your machine is lagging and you spot one with high memory consumption, click it and select End Task.
⚙️ Fast access: Find hidden shortcuts from the Start button on Windows 11. Press Windows key + X or right-click the Start button to reveal a list of shortcuts, including Settings, Task Manager and the Run prompt.
Quick privacy tip: Task Manager on a Windows PC and Activity Monitor on a Mac can give you an overview of everything happening on your machine. On a PC, hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Click the Processes tab. On a Mac, hit Cmd + spacebar to open Spotlight Search. Then, type Activity Monitor and press Enter. See anything weird? Google it before you panic.
🐽 Memory hogs: Sometimes, your system runs background apps that can tax your device’s CPU and RAM. If you’re on a Mac, check the Activity Monitor and turn off any CPU-sucking apps. On a PC, check Task Manager. Get in-depth steps here. Oh, you’re gonna be glad you did!
End these Windows Task Manager processes to make your PC run faster
Processes could be significantly slowing down your PC right now. One way to find out what’s going on is to check the Task Manager. It shows what processes are running on your PC. It’s a window into how your PC is running, including CPU performance, Wi-Fi usage and graphics card processes.
Best new Windows 11 features to try right now
Windows updates make us all a little tense. What are they going to break this time? But they can also bring with them some awesome new goodies. Microsoft’s new Moments 2 update for Windows 11 has that in spades.
Not updated to the latest version of Windows 11 yet? Never fear. Here’s how to do it.
Quick check to make sure no one is spying on your computer
A few decades ago, the average Joe didn’t have to worry about spies poking around their private life. Thanks to the internet, you now have to worry about spies snooping on your computer, tablet and smartphone. That’s why we’re sharing a few ways to ensure no one is spying on your computer.
Quick check to see if someone is spying on your computer
We all know the feeling. You’re scrolling through your phone, and there it is. An ad that you can tie back to a recent conversation with a friend. Tap or click here for simple steps to make advertisers stop tracking you.
How to use Safe Mode to diagnose problems on your Windows PC
Are you having trouble surfing the internet? It could be a simple issue with your web browser. Tap or click here for five ways to speed it up.
The problem could be deeper, though. There might be something wrong with your Windows PC. If you’re experiencing poor performance or crashing apps, pay attention. There’s a real problem behind every surface-level symptom.
Tech 101: What to do when your computer freezes
Pop quiz: How often do you need to restart your computer for best performance?
Here’s a hint. If you only do it when your machine crashes or needs to update, that’s not enough. Tap or click for my recommendation for keeping your computer happy.
5-minute tech fix: Finally speed up your PC
When your computer slows to a crawl, it’s frustrating, and you want to fix it as fast as possible. Occasionally, your internet is actually to blame. Tap or click for the best ways to fix a pokey Wi-Fi connection.
If your computer is on its last legs, there’s not a ton you can do aside from buying a new one. Not sure where to start? I can help. My team and I created a laptop quiz to help you find the right model for you. Tap or click to take our 60-second quiz to find a perfect laptop based on your needs and budget.
Your computer is a mess: Guide to cleaning up your Mac or PC the right way
A cluttered computer can stop you from enjoying your digital life to the fullest. For example, maybe you just read our easy guide on restoring old family photos. If you’re ready to digitize iconic moments from your family’s history, a junk-filled Mac or PC can throw a wrench in those plans.