If your device is having trouble connecting to WiFi, you may need to check your router to solve the problem. Some routers come with VPN functions built-in, but you can also DIY your own VPN or pay for a VPN service. This obscures your real IP address by running your internet connection through a dummy network.

This security can be enhanced by outfitting your router with a virtual private network (VPN). This can be useful for protecting your privacy and the security of your devices. This allows you to create a local area network (LAN), the network of devices in your home that all connect to and use your internet.Ī router can sometimes act as a firewall between your home’s devices and the internet. They take the internet signal from the modem and make it wirelessly available throughout your home. Routers work in partnership with a modem. Above all, make sure you power-cycle your device before calling by unplugging it and waiting for a minute before plugging it back in again. Make sure you check these lights before calling your ISP to help them understand the status of your modem. If one of these lights is off, it could indicate a problem with your connection. If any of the other lights are flashing, it usually means your modem is in the middle of a related process. The standby light turns on when there is a connection blockage. The front of the modem will have several different lights indicating different statuses: power, receive, send, online, activity and standby. The coaxial cable connects to your ISP’s service line. The ethernet cable connects to either your computer or your router to provide internet access. When you’re talking to tech support, it’s useful to know the basic anatomy of your router.Īt the back of your modem are four ports: a power port, an ethernet port, a USB port and a coaxial cable port. If you run into problems with your internet connection and think your modem may be malfunctioning, you might need to talk to your ISP to diagnose the issue. If you set up a WiFi network in your house, you will need to connect your modem to your router first, so that it can create wireless internet access. But a modem doesn’t provide WiFi - that’s what a router does. Modems take the signal transmitted through these lines and allow the data to be compatible with computers and access the internet.Ī cable modem can be wired directly to your computer (or another digital device) to provide internet access. It does this through connected cable or phone cords. A modem is a hardware box used to establish a connection with your internet service provider (ISP).

Modem and router