Skip to main content

How to tell how fast your internet speed is using a free and accurate speed test

* You can test how fast your internet is by running a speed test that's provided by Google. * This test will measure your internet speed in megabits per second, or Mbps — the higher your Mbps count, the faster your internet connection is. * Your connection's "Latency," which is measured in milliseconds, will be measured as well. * Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. If you're looking to change your internet provider, or are considering increasing your internet speed, it's always a good idea to know where you currently stand. That way, you'll be able to better understand what you want and need from a new internet plan. Google offers a simple and fast tool for doing this, and all you have to do is complete a simple Google search to start.  The test measures your speed by measuring the amount of data that can move through your internet connection. It takes about 30 seconds to complete, and your results are given in terms of megabits per second, or Mbps. The higher your Mbps count, the better. For reference, the FCC's standard for a fast internet connection is at least 25 Mbps for downloads, and 3 Mbps for uploads. This test can measure connections of up to 700 Mbps. You may also see a "Latency" reading. This is a measure of how quickly you get a response from your server, and is given in milliseconds, or ms. Here, the lower your number, the better. Here's how to test how fast your internet speed is. How to use Google's internet speed test Before you run the test, you should know that doing so requires sharing your IP address with M-Lab, which Google has partnered with to produce the test. 1. Go to Google and search for "internet speed test." 2. At the top of the search results will be a box labeled "Internet speed test." Click the blue "Run Speed Test" button at the bottom of this box. 3. A new pop-up will appear with a speedometer, like the type you'd see in a car. The test will begin measuring your download speed, followed by your upload speed. You don't have to do anything. 4. Once the test is finished, your results will be displayed. Note that when you take this test, your IP address will be shared with Google and M-Lab, the company that runs this test. There's no real security threat here — both companies keep their data incredibly secure, and even if someone were to find your IP address, there's nearly no chance that they could use it in a malicious way. Also keep in mind that your internet speed is constantly changing, depending on how close you are to your router, how many devices are on the network, and how much data you're currently using. Taking the test while you're alone in your house will give you higher results than taking the test while five people stream Netflix, for example. For information on what sort of internet speeds you need, check out our article, "'What is a good internet speed?': The internet speeds you should aim for, based on how you use the internet." Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech: * How to forget a Wi-Fi network on your Mac, so your computer stops automatically connecting to it * 'Why won't my Android phone connect to Wi-Fi?': How to troubleshoot an Android that won't connect to the internet * How to change the Wi-Fi network on your Alexa-enabled smart speaker * How to connect your Apple TV device to Wi-Fi to stream video and use apps * How to connect to a Wi-Fi network on your Android phone or tablet, and disconnect when you're done SEE ALSO: The best Bluetooth speakers Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Pathologists debunk 13 coronavirus myths
https://bit.ly/3brr83E

Popular posts from this blog

Here's an exclusive look at the pitch deck London fintech Lanistar used to raise $19 million at a $190 million valuation

* London-based fintech startup Lanistar has raised a £15 million ($19 million) funding round from Milaya Capital.  * Founded in 2019, Lanistar is building a personal financial management platform that will launch later in 2020.  * "We're expecting a huge amount of growth upon our launch and have already seen strong interest among our sign ups," Gurhan Kiziloz, founder and CEO of Lanistar, told Business Insider. * Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.  The coronavirus lockdown in the UK has brought the importance of managing money into sharp relief. A recent study from Money.com shows that 71% of UK households have saved cash during lockdown, and, with uncertainty about jobs and the economy looming, money management is now front of mind for many. Lanistar, a banking platform with a focus on personal finance, is one company offering tools for consumers to better manage their money. It has just raised a £15 million ($19 million) funding round from Mil...
Read more

Tokyo installed see-through public toilets in a park to let people inspect their cleanliness before using them, at which point the glass turns opaque

* Two see-through bathrooms have been installed in public parks in Tokyo. * They are made from "smart glass" designed so people can see how clean they are inside before using them. The glass turns opaque when the bathroom is locked and in use. * The stalls are part of a project that is redoing 17 of the city's public bathrooms with different designers to make them more accessible and appealing. * The goal is to fight assumptions that public toilets are "are dark, dirty, smelly, and scary," said the nonprofit foundation behind the project. * Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Tokyo has installed two see-through bathroom facilities in public parks, allowing people to see how clean they are before deciding to use them, at which point they turn opaque. The bathrooms are made of colored "smart glass," which turns opaque when the stalls are locked, said Shigeru Ban, the architect behind the designs. You can see how it works her...
Read more

Europe's hot challenger banks risk losing their shine with mounting losses and customer 'flight to safety' during the pandemic

* Three UK challenger banks posted their financial results for 2019 through July and August. * Monzo, Starling Bank, and Revolut showed growth in revenues year-on-year but also mounting losses.  * The trio have won customer loyalty and positive press for sleek app designs and colorful payment cards. * But their financial results and the challenge of COVID-19 raise fresh questions about their long-term viability. * Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The shine may be rubbing off a key part of Europe's burgeoning fintech market, after three British challenger banks posted mixed full-year financial results for 2019. Monzo, Revolut, and Starling Bank all saw revenue, customers, and deposits go up, in good news for the fast-growing disruptors. But all also posted ballooning losses, with each of the three companies at least doubling their losses in 2019 compared with the previous year.  The additional challenge of COVID-19 may make the prospect of profitabi...
Read more