In case you’ve spent any time round IT of us or scrolled via tech boards, you’ve got in all probability heard some outlandish issues about networking. A few of these myths sound so far-fetched, you’d assume they had been made up for laughs. In each tall story, nevertheless, there’s usually slightly little bit of reality.
Let’s take a lighthearted take a look at among the most overused community tropes and see what’s actual behind the rumors.
Full Bars = Full Web
One of the vital persistent networking beliefs is that the extra bars you see in your cellphone or laptop computer, the higher your web connection shall be. We have all glanced at these bars and assumed we’re set for lightning-fast looking. In actuality, these bars solely inform you how sturdy your sign is, not how good your connection truly is.
You may have full bars and nonetheless expertise a digital slowdown if the community is overloaded or if everybody round you is streaming or downloading concurrently. It’s kind of like being in a packed stadium: simply since you’re near the sector doesn’t suggest you may get to the restroom rapidly throughout halftime.
Extra Antennas = Higher Efficiency
There’s additionally the concept that extra antennas on a Wi-Fi router robotically means higher efficiency. It is simple to be impressed by a router bristling with antennas, wanting prefer it’s able to contact aliens.
However the reality is, whereas a number of antennas can assist with protection and interference, it is not all the time about amount. Generally, a single well-designed antenna with good expertise behind it might outperform a router with a dozen flimsy antennas. Do not decide your router by what number of “rabbit ears” it has.
Ethernet Cables Repair All the pieces
One other basic networking fantasy is the idea that plugging in an Ethernet cable will repair all of your web woes. There’s some reality right here as a result of wired connections are usually extra steady and fewer susceptible to interference than Wi-Fi. But when your web supplier is gradual, even the perfect Ethernet cable will not make issues magically quicker. It is like buying and selling your bicycle for a sports activities automobile and nonetheless being caught in visitors.
Wi-Fi Causes Well being Points
Well being considerations about Wi-Fi indicators are one other fantasy that refuses to die. Some individuals genuinely fear that Wi-Fi is making them sick, inflicting complications or worse. The truth is that Wi-Fi makes use of low-frequency radio waves, just like what FM radios or child displays use. Except you are planning to dwell inside your router, you are completely protected. The one factor Wi-Fi is more likely to fry is your information cap in the event you’re not cautious.
I am Incognito
Incognito mode is one other misunderstood function. Many imagine it turns you invisible on-line, however all it actually does is cease your browser from saving your historical past and cookies. Your web supplier, your boss and the web sites you go to can nonetheless see what you are doing. It is extra like taking off your identify tag at a celebration than placing on an invisibility cloak.
Wi-Fi is Positively Going Away… This Time
Lastly, there’s the recurring prediction that each new technology of cellular expertise — reminiscent of 5G — will make Wi-Fi out of date. In actuality, Wi-Fi and cellular information serve totally different wants. Wi-Fi is nice for dwelling and workplace use, whereas 5G is designed for huge protection and mobility. They’re extra like teammates than rivals, and each are right here to remain for the foreseeable future.
Networking myths have a approach of sticking round, actually because they’re rooted in a little bit of reality or sound simply believable sufficient to unfold. Whether or not it is sign bars, antennas or incognito mode, the reality is usually much less flashy however far more helpful. Belief the info, and you will know higher, and also you would possibly also have a little enjoyable setting the file straight.