Networking

A USB Wi-Fi adapter can improve an old device’s terrible internet connectivity. MSI’s AX1800 WiFi USB Adapter is the best one you can buy.

The best cable modems are widely compatible and will last for years to come.

If you have rooms where 4K streams don’t work or browsing is too slow, you might solve the problem with a Wi-Fi extender—without replacing your whole network.

We've spent hundreds of hours testing dozens of routers, mesh kits, and extenders to find the best gear to get strong Wi-Fi throughout your home.

Most free VPNs are scams. But there is one worth using.

If a normal router can’t provide reliable wireless access to every corner of your home, mesh systems should help you work from home and stream games and movies without a hitch.

We’ve tested the latest Wi-Fi routers and found the best options—from budget models to top-of-the-line—to make your wireless network faster and more responsive.

If you need to back up documents, photos, and videos from multiple laptops and phones, we recommend a network-attached storage (NAS) device.

You might not need a VPN, but if you want to add an extra layer of security to your web browsing, Mullvad has been our pick for years.

Internet service providers will no longer be able to bury fees in fine print.

Here are all of our tips and advice for free ways to improve your Wi-Fi, and what to consider if those fail.

If you have dead Wi-Fi spots in your house, a powerline networking adapter like the TP-Link TL-PA9020P KIT may fix the problem.

Though our testing shows that Wi-Fi 7 is faster, most people are likely to be just as happy with Wi-Fi 6 devices.

Our tests found that a single router works as well as an expensive mesh kit in some cases, even in a 2,300-square-foot home.

Amazon’s latest announcements regarding Alexa and the smart home are giving us all the feelings.

Gigabit internet plans promise blazing-fast speeds—for a price. You probably don’t need to upgrade.

Managing your kids’ internet use can be a headache, even when you’re a tech-savvy parent. We found some solutions—sort of.

Sometimes you need internet service in the unlikeliest of places. Here are some tips on how to get it.

If you find that you often need to get online when there’s no Wi-Fi around, you may need the speed and extra data allowance of a cellular Wi-Fi hotspot.

Take the time to set secure passwords for your network and router to prevent anyone from accessing your network or devices without your knowledge.

Mesh networks can give your home’s Wi-Fi a much needed boost—but can sometimes create problems for some smart-home devices, too.

A VPN can secure a public Wi-Fi connection and reduce some types of online tracking, but isn’t reliable to access video sites or limit government data tracking.

Deleting old online accounts can help protect your personal information. We have tips for finding forgotten accounts and figuring out how to get rid of them.

Here’s how to record abuse without being discovered, safeguard your devices, and, ultimately, protect yourself.

Using wires in your network can improve performance for your entire wireless network, not just the things that you connect wires to.

A network switch adds more ports to your router. It's useful if you have a lot of wired devices in one place, or if you want to wire your home for Ethernet.