Why is my downloading speed so slow all of a sudden?

Question

I used to be able to download at over 100 kb per second. Now, I'm lucky if I can download at 20 kb per second. I can barely hear my computer make any loading sounds. What is wrong, and what should I do about it?

I rarely download more than one thing at a time, and I only have internet explorer simultaneous to the download.

Answer 1

test out your bandwidth here... http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

If your wireless, you may need to change the channel, you maybe getting near by noise.

You also may have a virus or "spyware" check out Ad-Aware
at http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Answer 2

There is a number of probable causes for this. Sometimes like on my network they install a bandwidth limiter. Your bandwidth can also be limited by your Internet service provider. Often if you have done a lot of downloading you will reach either the maximum limit, or they will just choke your download speed.

If it is on your side of things it could be a firewall or just your RAM and file paging space is in use and your computer needs to be restarted, and viruses or spyware is always a problem.

Answer 3

there are viruses in you computer
it may be spyware, -trojan horse, this reduce your connection speed...

you need to have a very good antispyware like xoftspy

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Answer 4

One of the possible problem is virus infection. ANother possible cause is the extentive running time on the company. Try turning it off for a few minutes. If it doesn't work, try the restore option to reset your company to a prior time when you have normal speed. If all else failed, bring it to your local computer repair shop such as Fry, Bestbuy, or a private shop.

Answer 5

How many programs are you downloading at once? How many programs do you have loaded or open at once. IM programs also take up bandwidth as do microsoft office since they connect to the web often for information.