When you’re dealing with computer technology and getting on the Internet, you’re going to be using a router, so it’s good to know what it does. Routers are, in some ways, like the hubs of yesteryear (actually, if you use USB devices, you may still have a hub). Routers take the signal sent by your internet service provider and direct it appropriately to your devices. Typically, there will be multiple slots on the router for connecting more than one device (hence the hub analogy) – you may only have one socket on the wall, but if you connect the router to the wall then you might be able to plug in 3 or 4 computers to the router and they can all get on the Internet, resulting in good times for all parties.

Of course, today no one bothers to connect by cable to the Internet anyway, if they even use a computer rather than a smart-phone – it’s all done wirelessly. As such, if you want to join the club, you’d better have a wireless router, which is even better than the wired kind because it’s not limited by the number of sockets on the device. Of course, there are downsides, especially in the area of security, because anyone who’s in range of the router can attempt to connect without being given a cable by you. Fortunately, there are security settings and so a savvy user can get the convenience of wireless without giving up control of who uses the connection.

What is not so fortunate is the issue of stability, because wireless signals are susceptible to interference and, in an age where everything sends a wireless signal, there is no shortage of interference. Wireless technology is slower than wired, too, so you won’t get quite as fast performance out of that internet connection wirelessly. Most distressingly, a lower-quality router or service provider may result in an inconsistent signal and frequent drops of connectivity.