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- This video is unavailable. Tips to Keep Your Mac Clean! (NO APP NEEDED) - Duration. Speed Up your Internet Connection for Free - Mac OS X - Duration.
- No Internet Connection Mac
- App To Check Internet Connection
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You're zooming down the information superhighway getting things done when your usually-trusty browser throws up the dreaded 'Server not found' message. Argh! Now what?
Using a Mac VPN like VyprVPN is the best way to secure your Internet connection. Our Mac VPN is operated entirely without third parties, and we are the only company that handles your data from end-to-end. In addition to encrypting your connection, the VPN for Mac app offers automatic, time-saving.
Roll up your sleeves and get troubleshooting, that's what. When your internet connection goes down or starts acting up, here's what to do.
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https://cleversec447.weebly.com/blog/vonnage-app-for-mac. (First: save this article to your computer's hard drive. It will do you no good out on the internet when you can't get online.)
The best way to resolve ANY computer problem is to use the process of elimination. Narrow down a wide field of possible problems to come up with the right solution. There are two types of connectivity downage: when you can't get to ANY web site or online service at all, and when you can't get to a single specific site or family of sites.
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To determine which situation you're in, try getting a response from a few different web sites, including one that most likely is not down, like Google.com, Yahoo.com, or Microsoft.com. At this point command line lovers skip the browser and go straight to ping, a simple tool that sends data packets to a server and receives a response back. Ping a server by typing
ping google.com
in your Mac's Terminal, Windows command line, or shell. You'll see immediately whether or not you're getting a response. In the screenshot here, Google is responding within 106 milliseconds or so.Advertisement
(Hit Ctrl+C to stop; otherwise ping keeps pinging.) Try to ping google.com or yahoo.com, as well as a few smaller sites like Lifehacker and whatever site you were trying to reach when things went down. If you can't reach Google, Yahoo, Lifehacker, or any other site, your whole connection is borked.
If ping ain't your cup of tea, you can also use a web browser to reach a few different sites. Just make sure you try more than one browser when you do, just in case a specific browser's settings or add-ons are actually the problem. Ping is the best way to see if you can reach a given server, not your browser.
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Now you know whether your connection is totally down, or if it's just one or a few specific web sites. If you've got more than one computer or device on your network, try the same process on each one to make sure the problem isn't specific to a single computer. You can even grab your Wi-Fi-enabled smartphone, hop on your network, and check to make sure that the same sites or the whole internet are unavailable as well. Is it the same type of downage on all devices and computers? Ok, let's go from there. (If the problem is specific to one computer, skip to Scenario 3.)
Scenario 1: You can't get online at all from any device or computer
In a typical home wireless network, there are three main components: the computer(s) and other devices, your wireless router, and your cable or DSL modem. Of course, many more devices are involved in any network connection from your computer to a web site on the internet, but these are the ones you have control over. If you've been surfing away happily on your computer on your home network and then for no apparent reason go down, the first places to check are your modem and router.
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Twitter user Jesse Glacken put it well (and geekily) when he described what he does to fix a broken connection.
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In non-programmer style English: If your modem's lights are out, reboot it. If your router's lights are out, reboot it.
In short, rebooting the modem and the router will solve 90% of your home internet connectivity problems. Generally I unplug the router first, then unplug the modem. (Neither of them have power buttons, so it's a matter of pulling the power cord out of the box. Don't be fooled by the standby button on the top of your modem, that's not the power button. You have to actually pull the power cord out of the modem.) Count down to 10, then plug the modem back in and then the router. Give them both time to boot up and connect by watching the activity lights. Then try connecting to the internet again on your computer.
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At this point, if all the lights are on but you still aren't getting ping responses nor able to load web pages, it's time to continue down the elimination road. Grab the cable that your ISP gave you and connect your computer directly to the modem to eliminate the router. Reboot the modem again. Try pinging or getting online. No dice? It's time to call your ISP.
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If you can get online while you're connected directly to your modem, but not when you're connected to your router, the problem is somewhere on your router. Unless they've installed the router for you, most ISP's won't offer tech support for your router. Troubleshoot it by visiting its administrative page and checking whether or not it's getting a connection from your provider. This is the time you want to have your router's user guide handy. Skip down to Scenario 4 for more on the care and feeding of a troubled router.
Scenario 2: You can't get to a specific web site or set of web sites from any computer or device
If it's just one web site that you can't reach, the problem most likely isn't you; it's that web site's server.
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My favorite tool for checking a web site is the super-useful Down For Everyone Or Just Me tool, which tells you if the whole world can't reach that web site as well. If it's not just you, and that web site is indeed unavailable to anyone, use Notify Mee to get an email alert when that web site is back up. (Thanks, warplayer!)
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If it turns out it is just you, you're in an interesting pickle. You can reach DownForEveryoneOrJustMe.com and Google.com, but not this particular web site—but the rest of the world can. At this point, it's time to start thinking about DNS servers. Your ISP's DNS servers are the ones which figure out what internet domain names (like lifehacker.com) map to what IP addresses. If your ISP's DNS server doesn't have the correct address for a web site name, you're not going to the right server. To see if the problem is DNS, try switching to the free OpenDNS service.
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To get more exact information about the source of the problem, skip down to the section on using traceroute.
Scenario 3: One computer can't get to certain web sites, but other computers on the same network can
If you're here reading Lifehacker, chances are your computer is free and clear of viruses and other malware. If you're visiting Aunt Mitzy and Uncle Ralph, however, that might not be the case. If a specific computer can't get online but other devices can, the problem is local to that machine.
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First, make sure the problem isn't browser-specific. Install Firefox (or create a fresh, extension-free Firefox profile) and check to see if you can get online with it. Try Chrome as well. (If the computer can't get online at all, use one that can to download the browser installation files, or bring along a portable version on a thumb drive.)
No Internet Connection Mac
Geek to Live: Manage multiple Firefox profiles
by Gina Trapani
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If all the browsers on the system can't get online, disable the anti-virus software and check the firewall. Sometimes corrupt AV software that's not entirely turned off or uninstalled can mess with the network connection. Try creating a whole new user on the system and logging in as that new user to make sure no process is running in the background that's getting in the way. If you suspect malware IS at work, scrub down the machine. In the worst case scenario of a totally crap-laden system, wipe the hard drive clean and install Windows from scratch.
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Geek to Live: How to fix Mom and Dad's computer
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Scenario 4: Your router requires constant resets or slows down connections
If your wireless router seems to slow down your connection or goes on vacation often and without warning, there are a few things you can do.
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For routers that become unreachable or lose connectivity often, try updating the firmware to the latest version. Search the router's manufacturer's web site for the latest and greatest and install it using your router's administrative interface. If you're feeling very adventurous and have compatible hardware, try third-party firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato.
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Turn your $60 router into a $600 router
Of all the great DIY projects at this year's Maker Faire, the one project that really caught…
Read more ReadFor router slowdowns, try reducing interference or changing the wireless channel. The New York Times advises:
The base station may be getting interference from a new nearby device that was recently installed and is using the same radio frequency. This can include cordless phones, microwave ovens, baby monitors, wireless speakers, mice or keyboards. See whether the network speed improves when these devices are moved or turned off. Moving the base station itself may also help.
For apartment dwellers, having neighbors with their own wireless networks crowding the airwaves may also impair performance, especially if everyone's network is set to use the same default channel. To change the router's channel, you need to go into its configuration file (you usually need the base station's password to gain access to these settings). The steps for changing the channel will vary based on the manufacturer, but Linksys has its instructions at snipurl.com/3iibn. Apple's AirPort and AirPort Express base stations can be adjusted by using the AirPort Utility software. Experiment with Channels 1, 6 or 11, as they are far enough apart not to overlap with other channels and may provide a better network signal.
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For more, see our top 10 Wi-Fi boosts, tweaks, and apps. Photo by philcampbell.
Top 10 Wi-Fi Boosts, Tweaks and Apps
Click to viewNo doubt you've got a home wireless network or you've connected to hotspots…
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The Command Line Tool of Network Ninjas: traceroute
Every good network administrator reaches for the age-old command line tool traceroute to troubleshoot broken network connections. Traceroute maps the path data packets take from your computer to a web site, and includes every single stop along the way and how long it took to get there. For broken connections, traceroute reveals at what exact point the broken connection is failing, and gives someone with a little knowledge of ping and IP addresses more information about how to resolve the problem.
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To give traceroute a spin and see what its output looks like, try this online version (which obviously doesn't help if you can't get online at all).
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To run it from your computer, on Windows from the command line type
tracert google.com
(notice the missing o, u, and e). In a Mac Terminal window, type traceroute google.com
. Check out this awesome traceroute tutorial or this traceroute primer to learn more on interpreting traceroute output, which will look something like this on a broken connection where the connection fails on hop 4:Advertisement
What are your most common internet connection maladies? How do you resolve them? Drop your network troubleshooting knowledge in the comments.
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Gina Trapani, Lifehacker's founding editor, never wants to see a 'Server not found' message again. Her weekly feature, Smarterware, appears every Wednesday on Lifehacker. Subscribe to the Smarterware tag feed to get new installments in your newsreader.
Struggling to get a good wireless connection on your phone? Want to see what sort of activity is taking place on your local network? Or maybe you just want to send a ping?
In the absence of a PC, your Android smartphone can act a powerful network management device. Try these six Android networking tools to get started.
1. JuiceSSH: Secure Network Communication
You can remotely access most devices that share your network. But for secure communications, SSH (which stands for Secure Shell) is the best option.
Available for free, JuiceSSH is like having a Linux terminal in your pocket. If you’re connecting to a computer, phone, or tablet with an active SSH server, you’ll be able to operate the device remotely.
Along with offering Telnet functionality, the app has copy and paste, clickable URLs, and will save multiple SSH profiles for different connections. There’s even support for two-factor authentication with Google Authenticator or other 2FA appsThe 5 Best Alternatives To Google AuthenticatorThe 5 Best Alternatives To Google AuthenticatorTo improve the security of your online accounts, you'll need a good two-factor authentication app to generate the access codes. Think Google Authenticator is the only game in town? Here are five alternatives.Read More, to keep your connections secure.
JuiceSSH is the best SSH client on Android, and the perfect tool for remote command line access across a network.
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You can unlock further features with an in-app purchase. These include encrypted backup of your connections, multiple device sync, and team collaboration.
Download: JuiceSSH (Free, $5 premium version available)
2. Fing: Check Wi-Fi Network Security
Want to find out how secure your network isHow To Test Your Home Network Security With Free Hacking ToolsHow To Test Your Home Network Security With Free Hacking ToolsNo system can be entirely 'hack proof' but browser security tests and network safeguards can make your set-up more robust. Use these free tools to identify 'weak spots' in your home network.Read More?
Bundling various networking tools into one easy-to-use app, Fing is the Swiss Army knife of mobile network security. Featuring intruder detection, network monitoring, port scanning, a connectivity checker, and a network device inventory tool, the app also handles basic commands like ping and traceroute.
These features (and more) make Fing the perfect penetration testing tool for Android. As well as snuffing out unknown intruders, you can employ it to detect managed intrusion attempts, enabling you to harden your network.
![Apps Apps](/uploads/1/3/3/9/133915321/680248455.jpg)
A $99 piece of hardware, the Fingbox, unlocks additional functionality when plugged into your router. This introduces features such as bandwidth analysis, a network-wide internet kill switch, and more. However, this device isn’t necessary to use Fing—consider it a specialist buy for networking enthusiasts only.
Download: Fing (Free)
3. NetCut: Kill Network Connections
Essentially a network sniffer, NetCut can manage devices connected wirelessly to your router. The app detects all connections, permitted or otherwise.
If you find hardware on your network that shouldn’t be there, you can use NetCut’s kill switch to disconnect it. NetCut can also detect ARP spoofing, a technique used by hackers to gain access to a network.
While it has a good selection of features, please note that NetCut will only run on a rooted Android device. There’s also an upgrade available that you can unlock from within the app. This introduces features such as fast scan, searching by IP/name/brand, and improved reporting tools.
Download: NetCut (Free, premium version available)
4. Network Connections: Monitor Inbound and Outbound Traffic
Your Android phone or tablet is probably online most of the time. But what apps and services are connecting to the internet, what data are they downloading (or uploading), and where is that data headed?
An easy way to find that information quickly is with the Network Connections app. It enables you to keep an eye on inbound and outbound connections; you’ll see notifications when hidden apps connect to remote servers. This is useful for determining what apps are misbehaving—they could be malware, for example.
Other features include details about remote IP addresses and the ability to log and export data captured by the app. If you want to better manage what your apps are doing online, start with this totally free utility.
Download: Network Connections (Free)
5. Meteor: Check Your Device’s Network Speed
How fast is your internet connection? It’s difficult to get through the week without having some thoughts about the slowness of your internet. This happens regardless of how fast your connection is, and doesn’t matter which device you’re using.
While you can access speed testing websites from any device, having a mobile app that can check speed the speed of your wireless connection (or even your mobile network speed) is quite useful.
Meteor offers speed and connection testing, with the results helping you decide which apps are best suited for your network speed.
You can test speed and performance for 16 popular apps, and the app lets you compare results too. Meteor will also help you find “slow” areas (also known as blackspots) around your wireless network. Once you’ve detected them, use our guide to boost your wireless router signal.
Download: Meteor (Free) If i have an app on my ipad can i get it for free on my mac free.
6. Ping: Basic Ping Tool
What if all you want to do is send a ping command to quickly assess network connectivity?
You might use JuiceSSH, Fing, or one of the other tools with ping functionality. Or you might simply opt for Ping, an app whose purpose is just to ping a destination IP address. (If that doesn’t make sense, our guide to what a ping isWhat Is A Ping, And Is Zero Ping Possible?What Is A Ping, And Is Zero Ping Possible?Ping is a command used to measure the latency between two devices on a network. When your internet feels fast, you're experiencing a low ping. But why does your ping change, and how can you..Read More should help.)
The app is easy to use. After launching, you input the IP address you want to test, click Start, and await the result. Ping will tell you if the destination device is online or down, and give you an idea of how quickly it reached the device, measured in milliseconds (ms).
Ookla Speed Test Internet Connection
You’ll also find a feature to display accurate connection speed in this app.
Download: Ping (Free) [No Longer Available]
Your Android Networking Arsenal
Internet Connection Type
Getting online with an Android device is simple. But knowing just what’s going on across the network can be vital. The tools we’ve looked at should give you everything you need to monitor connections, check which apps are sending and receiving data, establish secure connections, or simply send a ping.
To reiterate, the apps you should try are:
- JuiceSSH
- Fing
- NetCut
- Network Connections
- Meteor
- Ping
Others are available, but you shouldn’t need much more than this.
For more on networking, check out our guide to diagnosing a network problem with your computerNetwork Problems? 7 Diagnostic Tricks and Simple FixesNetwork Problems? 7 Diagnostic Tricks and Simple FixesNetwork problems must be diagnosed before they can be resolved. This article covers seven simple tricks for fixing your network.Read More.
Explore more about: Android Apps, Computer Diagnostics, Computer Networks, Wi-Fi.