Stay Connected This Winter: Weatherproof Your Internet

As winter approaches, it's time to think about how snow, rain, and clouds might mess with your internet. Satellite internet is usually the biggest troublemaker, with signals having to travel over 22, 000 miles. If there's rain or heavy cloud cover along the way, your internet could go kaput. Even cable and fiber internet aren't totally safe, as a bad storm could knock out power or damage lines. So, what can you do? First, find out what your local internet provider can handle. If you're using satellite internet, consider getting a dish heater or cover. But remember, they're not a sure fix. Rain guards on dishes won't help much either, since signals can be disrupted anywhere along their journey.If snow or ice builds up on your satellite dish, try to clear it safely. Use a soft-bristle brush for snow and a light stream of warm water for ice. But be careful not to move the dish, as that can mess up the signal. Cable, DSL, and fiber internet are more reliable, but a power outage could still leave you without internet. Make sure your modem and router have a battery backup. In the end, some weather-related outages are just out of our control. But by taking a few precautions, you can help keep your internet running smoothly this winter.