Set up and use wireless internet via WiFi

If you want to use the internet, first apply for a subscription from a provider. This is possible in combination with a subscription for television and telephony, but only internet is possible. There are several providers in the Netherlands. KPN and Ziggo are the most used. Via comparison sites you can see which provider delivers to your address and what the prices are. An example is the website internetcomparison.nl.

The providers offer different speeds. This is expressed in Mbit per second. If there are more people in the household who often use the internet, more Mbits per second are desirable. But in a small household, a lower speed is also suitable. After all, less data needs to be distributed.

After registration, the provider supplies the equipment you need to use the internet. Sometimes a technician comes to your home to connect everything. With many providers it is possible to choose between ‘do it yourself’ and ‘have it done’.

The internet enters the house via a cable in the ground. In recent years, fiber optics have become increasingly accessible. Fiber optic cables have been laid in various regions of the Netherlands. Due to the properties of fiber optic, even more data can be sent. In other words: even faster internet. It is also more stable. If an internet provider offers fiber optic, you can check if it is available at your address. Fiber optic internet is often a bit more expensive. The other options are cable or dsl. This is available at almost any address and it also has an excellent speed.

After you have taken out a subscription, the installation follows. For a long time, the provider supplied a standard device that could only provide internet with cables. Then a cable ran from the modem to the computer and the online connection was established. The WiFi modem (sometimes also called a modem router or digital modem) is now standard. This device has both connections for cables and the option to broadcast wireless internet. Thanks to wireless internet, many devices can be connected at once. Just think of smartphones, tablets, e-readers and wireless printers.

To receive WiFi on your computer or laptop, you need a WiFi adapter. This is standard in all new laptops. Then nothing extra is needed. Some new PCs also have a WiFi adapter, but that’s not always the case. If you want to use the internet on a computer without a built-in WiFi adapter, you will have to either use a cable or buy a WiFi adapter.

There are advantages and disadvantages to wireless internet compared to a fixed connection.

Advantages are:

• You don’t have to run cables to all rooms.
• You can move devices easily.
• There are many types of devices that can be connected.
• You can use the internet in all kinds of places in the house.

Disadvantages are:

• It is somewhat less fast and stable than a fixed connection. The connection may sometimes drop.
• The wireless connection does not have the same range everywhere.

The location of the router is very important. For most people, the router is located in the meter cupboard, because that is where the internet connection enters the home. If possible, a central place in your home is best. This way the chance of good coverage throughout the house is greatest. This is important if, for example, you also want to use wireless internet in the bedroom or in the attic. In addition, make sure that the router is not next to ‘jammers’, such as a telephone or microwave.

A wireless network must be secured. If you don’t, you send data via an open signal. Your neighbors would then be able to use your internet connection for free, without you noticing. Computer criminals can break into your computer through the signal. There have been cases of people going through one neighborhood after another with a laptop, looking for an open (i.e. free) connection. They connected their computer to someone else’s internet, and sent a lot of spam (junk e-mail) from there, for example. The owners of the unsecured network knew nothing about it.

Therefore, opt for a closed network. The network is then only accessible with a password.

If you are connecting to a closed, secure network, a password is required. This usually consists of upper and lower case letters and numbers. The password is stated on a sticker on the modem router. Learn more about connecting in the articles “Connecting to Wi-Fi in Windows” and “Connecting to Wi-Fi on Mac.” You do not have to enter that password every time you want to use the internet. When connecting, choose the option ‘Connect automatically’. Only use this option with your home network and other trusted networks.

The computer, laptop or telephone shows whether there is a connection to the wireless network. There will then be a WiFi icon . The amount of bold lines shows how strong the signal is.

It is recommended to change the default password. Default passwords can, for example, be ‘on the street’ due to a data breach. If you change the password immediately, it no longer poses a threat to you.

Change it to a secure password consisting of numbers and letters, uppercase and lowercase. This minimizes the chance that someone will penetrate your network. You change the password by logging into your router. The manual of the device explains how this works. You open your internet program, type in the web address mentioned in the manual and log in with your details. You will then enter a menu where you can set and change all kinds of things, such as the password of the connection. You can also name the wireless network here. If you then search for wireless networks with a computer or laptop, you immediately know which one to use.

You can read more about this in the article ‘Change the router and WiFi password’.