How does laptops connect to internet

See the documentation for your router for more detailed info, including what type of security is supported and how to set it up.

In Windows 7 or Windows 8. Select Set up a new network , then choose Next. The wizard will walk you through creating a network name and a security key. Write down your security key and keep it in a safe place. You can also save your security key on a USB flash drive by following the instructions in the wizard.

Use a firewall. A firewall is hardware or software that can help protect your PC from unauthorized users or malicious software malware. Running a firewall on each PC on your network can help control the spread of malicious software on your network, and help protect your PCs when you're accessing the Internet.

Windows Firewall is included with this version of Windows. Select the Network or Wifi icon in the notification area. In the list of networks, choose the network that you want to connect to, and then select Connect.

If you have problems with your Wi-Fi network when using Windows 10, see Fix Wi-Fi problems in Windows for advanced troubleshooting info. Choose the network that you want to connect to, and then select Connect.

If you have problems with your Wi-Fi network when using Windows 11, see Fix Wi-Fi problems in Windows for advanced troubleshooting info. Windows 11 Windows 10 Windows 7 Windows 8. Type the security key often called the password. Follow additional instructions if there are any. Need more help?

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Both options can be completed in just a few minutes. Connect an Ethernet cable to your broadband Internet modem. Most Internet modems only have one Ethernet connector on the rear panel, so don't worry about plugging the cable into the wrong place.

Connect the same Ethernet cable to your laptop computer. Most laptop computers only have one Ethernet connector on the rear panel, so don't worry about plugging the cable into the wrong place. Once you make this connection, your laptop computer will be automatically connected to the Internet.

Click on the "Wireless" icon in your laptop computer's system tray. However, this method also has its trade-offs. For starters, you are still sharing your mobile Internet with a laptop, which means you have the same traffic and bandwidth restrictions.

This will not be an issue for modest tasks like attending a business meeting or fetching a document. However, streaming a couple of documentaries on Netflix may easily burn through your entire monthly allowance and leave you stranded offline. The verdict : A fallback plan that requires no additional hardware and might save you in some circumstances but hardly a sustainable solution for daily use.

Another way to get internet on a laptop anywhere is to use a separate device. These come in many shapes and sizes and go by different names:. These gadgets range in complexity from simple adapters for SIM cards to fully-featured modems that effortlessly handle an entire network of devices. The basic premise is the same, though — the 4G modem connects to the mobile network like a phone, then shares the connection with a laptop or shares it like a router.

However, as a device designed specifically for connectivity, it handles the task much more efficiently and reliably than a phone. Recognizing this, laptop modem manufacturers add the possibility to choose from several ISPs and partner with mobile carriers to offer attractive deals. Unlike the options above, all of which rely on mobile network coverage, in this case, the signal is transmitted from satellites, so you will get connected as long as you have clear skies above.

You will still need to buy a data plan, of course, but otherwise, it does not restrict you in any way, making it a perfect option literally anywhere on the planet. Unfortunately, freedom comes at a cost. First, the technology is not yet widespread, so the range of offers on the market is modest. Besides, establishing a connection to the satellite internet requires a modem and an antenna, both of which are quite bulky — not exactly a fit for the digital nomad lifestyle.