Speed up Internet Access (Software)
One of the easiest ways to improve performance on your computer is to prevent some things from happening. You can do this at your router or/and at individual PCs.
The side benefit of improved performance is improved security.
The Internet has specialized numbers known as ports. When you are looking around on the web you are using port 80. If you are logging into a secure website you are using port 443.
Blocking Ports
By turning off or blocking services you don’t absolutely have to have improves both performance and security. If you need to learn the basic on how to block a port, click here.
There are two types of connections, known as TCP and UDP. Blocking ports 135, 137 (UDP) 135,139 (TCP), 445 (TCP), and 4444 (TCP) at your router prevents your “Network Neighborhood” from being discovered outside your network.
Blocking Microsoft DCOM at the router is done by 1025 to 1030 (TCP) and 1026/1027 (UDP).
Blocking 1433 (TCP) and 1434 (UDP) will prevent SM-SQL exploits (like the Slammer worm).
1900 (UDP) and 5000 (TCP) will protect you from UPnP intruders.
4899 (TCP) should be blocked to prevent remote adminstration. The same goes for 6129 (TCP) Dameware Remote Control software.
27374 (TCP) and 31337 (TCP) to block Trojan Horse viruses SubSeven and BackOrifice.
Unless you *must* have Adobe Flash, disable it. It has a number of security flaws. The Internet in general is leaving Flash behind for HTML Version 5.
If you do not use FTP block ports (TCP) 20 and 21. You can use Http://WeTransfer.com instead.
Do you web based email such as Yahoo or Gmail? Block port 25, 110 and 143.
QoS Settings
Microsoft Windows can reserve upto 20% of your connection for QoS. Generally speaking it is not an issue however you can reduce that %.
(Start – Run gpedit.msc) Local Computer Policy, Computer Confguration, Admin Templates, Network, QoS Packet Scheduler, Limit Reserable Bandwidth.
Right click, Properties, Enable and set the limit to your choice (as low as zero) and Apply.
Plan B is Control Panel, Network Connections, Right click your connection Go tp Properties, Networking Tab and un-install QoS Packet Scheduler.