Question for Techies - from a non-techy

[Jaffe]

This really isnt a big issue, but it is really annoying. My dad normally works at his office, but he has an office at home, too, where he does stuff at night or on weekends, or sometimes just comes home in the day and works. When he is working at home and logs on at his office, whether its the ***** or ****** or ***** or ****, it kicks me off. My browser doesn't stop, but the internet connection dies for about 30 seconds, then things resume. But the annoying part is that anything I am downloading or streaming stops, and has to be restarted, usually from the beginning. Youtube pauses but usually picks back up and keeps going. DailyMotion buffers a bit, then keeps going. But anything I am logged into, I get logged out. Then I have to log back in and re-start whatever I was doing. Like VT, email, whatever. Everything logs me out. Sometimes it will happen just at random times too, but only when my dad is here working at home. Thats the only pattern, the only common thing, I have figured out.

It doesnt affect anything I am doing local, so I know its something to do with my network settings or browser settings or internet.

I have tried all the things I can think of to set my internet to not disconnect, and have tried different browsers and even different versions of stuff. Nothing works. I was wondering if anyone knows what I might try, what settings I might change, so I don't get logged off all the time, or even some app/program that might keep me logged in. I dont know how to explain it better, because I dont know/understand exactly what is happening. I'd be happy to post information about my system and setup if that helps.

Like I said, its not a huge issue. But it is annoying as hell.

[Plane And Simple]

I'm not an expert in networking at all but from deep ignorance I'd say that if it is only when he logs on, there might be some sort of security feature of the network turning on. I'd talk to him about it as he's most likely aware of it, if that is what happens.

If you can't figure it out and want a tool to keep you logged in, check LastPass. Saves your passwords by encrypting and has an Auto Login feature. I use it on most of my sites and it's very very good.

Feel free to message me if you need any help with it

[Andyyy95]

I definitely know what the issue is here:
It's to do with the bandwidth settings on your Internet router/modem; i.e. you don't have 1 user device hogging the entire network, but it's shared amongst other devices. I've no experience in adjusting these settings, but I know that it can be done - try suggesting it to your dad.

If that doesn't work, and you're still having some difficulty, then it is more likely to be the Internet connection speed going through your home.

Hope that helps,
Andy

[Jaffe]

I'm not an expert in networking at all but from deep ignorance I'd say that if it is only when he logs on, there might be some sort of security feature of the network turning on. I'd talk to him about it as he's most likely aware of it, if that is what happens.

If you can't figure it out and want a tool to keep you logged in, check LastPass. Saves your passwords by encrypting and has an Auto Login feature. I use it on most of my sites and it's very very good.

Feel free to message me if you need any help with it
Thanks, Nick. I downloaded the free trial of LastPass, havent set it up yet. If I need help, I'll get with you. It looks like it would help. from reading about it, I think it wont really fix the problem, and wont stop me getting logged out, but at least it would log me back in to everything immediately afterward. Downloads would still die. But thats probably less of an annoyance that getting logged out of everything.

I definitely know what the issue is here:
It's to do with the bandwidth settings on your Internet router/modem; i.e. you don't have 1 user device hogging the entire network, but it's shared amongst other devices. I've no experience in adjusting these settings, but I know that it can be done - try suggesting it to your dad.

If that doesn't work, and you're still having some difficulty, then it is more likely to be the Internet connection speed going through your home.

Hope that helps,
Andy

We get 20mbps from our ISP. My dad says if I want the 50mb upgrade, I can pay for it. Not gonna happen.

But he did give me permission to check out the router settings. He has to find the login and password, since a Techy from his work came to the house to set it all up. He just told me not to touch anything else, to make sure it went back exactly as it is, and to be sure its working when he is home and needing it.... Luckily, the router is the top of the stack of shit the internet goes through, so I can get to it easily.

Thanks for your help!


Edit: Damn! I double-posted. And didnt even realize it till it was too late. Sorry, Admins.

Fixed
~Plane And Simple

[Andyyy95]

We get 20mbps from our ISP. My dad says if I want the 50mb upgrade, I can pay for it. Not gonna happen.

But he did give me permission to check out the router settings. He has to find the login and password, since a Techy from his work came to the house to set it all up. He just told me not to touch anything else, to make sure it went back exactly as it is, and to be sure its working when he is home and needing it.... Luckily, the router is the top of the stack of shit the internet goes through, so I can get to it easily.

Thanks for your help!


20 MB/s is quite reasonable I guess!
Let me know how the modifications go :)

[Plane And Simple]

Gracias, Jorge. I downloaded the free trial of LastPass, havent set it up yet. If I need help, I'll get with you. It looks like it would help. from reading about it, I think it wont really fix the problem, and wont stop me getting logged out, but at least it would log me back in to everything immediately afterward. Downloads would still die. But thats probably less of an annoyance that getting logged out of everything.



We get 20mbps from our ISP. My dad says if I want the 50mb upgrade, I can pay for it. Not gonna happen.

But he did give me permission to check out the router settings. He has to find the login and password, since a Techy from his work came to the house to set it all up. He just told me not to touch anything else, to make sure it went back exactly as it is, and to be sure its working when he is home and needing it.... Luckily, the router is the top of the stack of shit the internet goes through, so I can get to it easily.

Thanks for your help!


Edit: Damn! I double-posted. And didnt even realize it till it was too late. Sorry, Admins.

Fixed
~Plane And Simple

Yeah, it won't fix it but it is a little aid. Let me know how it works out for you

[Jaffe]

20 MB/s is quite reasonable I guess!
Let me know how the modifications go :)

So I might have figured out the issue, and probably can't fix it.

My dad texted me from work yesterday and told me to call the tech guy there. I hate calling people, I am totally a text guy. But I did it.... and the first thing he said was, "We own that equipment, dont touch anything!" I was like, wtf? But then I started asking questions (because I really dont understand tech stuff very well.... its all just some magical power to me) and he settled down and started talking and actually liked talking about his work.

Bottom line, he wouldnt give me the login or password to the router. The router is ours. The modem is rented from the cable company. The other stuff is theirs, and set up how they want it. He tried to explain to me how bandwidth works, but it was mostly confusing. The router is set to automatically allocate bandwidth, but there are things that use the bandwidth before it gets to the router. Looking at it, there are 4 things: router/wireless point on top, last in line. Below that is a little box that I can't read the label on because it faces the wall, but it has USB ports on the side, and my dad has a cordless phone (like a skype phone, kinda) plugged into one of them. Below that is a box that says "5-node SSL VPN". Then the cable modem, which is plugged into the wall with the big round cable. Same kind of cable that the TV is plugged in with, but thats in a different room.

So when my dad is on the phone in there, all the bandwidth is sucked up by the phone thing. It doesnt even get to the router. Which explains why sometimes the internet just goes reallllllly slow for a while. I always just figured thats how internet worked, lol. And every time my dad logs in to one of their offices, the whole network is logged in there, which is why it logs me off. The guy walked me through checking my IP address, and sure enough, when my dad logged on, and I had to re-log on, my IP was suddenly in ****. Weird. Then the guy tried to explain to me that if the router were first, it wouldnt log me off, but then the other hardware stuff would do no good, because my dad would have to be plugged into them directly and couldnt use his laptop or stuff.

So I'm doing the next best thing, and setting up the software that Plane And Simple recommended, and live with it. Its still annoying, but nothing I can do. And I think I better be careful what I do online when dad is home, cause I am apparently logged on to his office and they can probably see what I am doing. No streaming porn. Heh.

[Andyyy95]

Hey!

Well done for talking on the phone with the technical guy, and finding out what's going on!

the first thing he said was, "We own that equipment, dont touch anything!" I was like, wtf? But then I started asking questions (because I really dont understand tech stuff very well.... its all just some magical power to me) and he settled down and started talking and actually liked talking about his work.

Oh, so the Internet Router is provided / on-lease by your dad's company and not your own? I guess that could be part of the problem; if you can't control how much of the connection is being 'sucked up' by your dad's conference calls.

Looking at it, there are 4 things: router/wireless point on top, last in line. Below that is a little box that I can't read the label on because it faces the wall, but it has USB ports on the side, and my dad has a cordless phone (like a skype phone, kinda) plugged into one of them. Below that is a box that says "5-node SSL VPN". Then the cable modem, which is plugged into the wall with the big round cable. Same kind of cable that the TV is plugged in with, but thats in a different room.

You have a Cable Modem and an Internet Router? Why? I thought that only applied if your house was running Fibre Optic, because the Internet Connection would use another 'line'... Or at least that's what happens here in the UK.

So I'm doing the next best thing, and setting up the software that Plane And Simple recommended, and live with it. Its still annoying, but nothing I can do.

Oh well, it was worth a try I guess; well done once again for contacting them!
I hope that the other method works, and you're able to get at least a half-decent connection when your dad is online...

And I think I better be careful what I do online when dad is home, cause I am apparently logged on to his office and they can probably see what I am doing. No streaming porn. Heh.

Hahahahaha yeah, you're always gonna be "under his eye" now aren't you... I guess that's a slight disadvantage of living with parents I guess!
I'm sure you can live without porn though haha! :)

[Jaffe]

Well done for talking on the phone with the technical guy, and finding out what's going on!
Thanks. Not easy


Oh, so the Internet Router is provided / on-lease by your dad's company and not your own? I guess that could be part of the problem; if you can't control how much of the connection is being 'sucked up' by your dad's conference calls.

You have a Cable Modem and an Internet Router? Why? I thought that only applied if your house was running Fibre Optic, because the Internet Connection would use another 'line'... Or at least that's what happens here in the UK

Actually, we own the router. Best I could understand was that we have to have it because
1. its also a wireless point, and our cable modem has no wireless in it
2. it has to be after all the other stuff, and the modem has to be before all the other stuff. Not sure I understand quite why, but the tech guy tried to explain it to me and I was totally lost.

Like I said, most of this stuff is just confusing to me. I just figured enough of it out to decide that it wasnt worth changing anything and getting in trouble for it. If I screwed it up, I'd be grounded for a year.

It is kind of freaking me though. Like right now, my IP is in the ******. And I am sitting in *****. Does that mean the people at the office in the ****** can see what I am doing? Can they read my posts on VT? Or.... I better stop thinking about it before it totally freaks me out. If I overthink it, I'll be scared to post anything.

[Andyyy95]

Thanks. Not easy

Yeah I can imagine; but well done on picking up the courage to do so, you should be proud of yourself! (I absolutely hate talking on the phone myself)

I could understand was that we have to have it because
1. its also a wireless point, and our cable modem has no wireless in it
2. it has to be after all the other stuff, and the modem has to be before all the other stuff. Not sure I understand quite why, but the tech guy tried to explain it to me and I was totally lost.

Oh yeah I understand how you mean now...
Do you also own the modem? Perhaps you can suggest to dad to maybe buy a Wireless Router (combined Modem); maybe that might make a difference?
But yeah, if you're fine with what you've got at the moment, it's probably not worth changing, considering how serious the consequence might be for you :-\

It is kind of freaking me though. Like right now, my IP is in the Netherlands. And I am sitting in LA. Does that mean the people at the office in the Netherlands can see what I am doing? Can they read my posts on VT? Or.... I better stop thinking about it before it totally freaks me out. If I overthink it, I'll be scared to post anything.

Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is based in Netherlands?? Are you sure?
To the best of my understanding, no. Most of the stuff you do over the Internet are encrypted - some things like bank details are encrypted far more than other things. Having said that, treat your IP address as your personal ID number for your device; it stores information about your ISP company, location etc.
It can potentially be used as evidence in court in cases of malpractice/crime.

Hope that helps,
Andy

[Jaffe]

Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is based in Netherlands?? Are you sure?
To the best of my understanding, no. Most of the stuff you do over the Internet are encrypted - some things like bank details are encrypted far more than other things. Having said that, treat your IP address as your personal ID number for your device; it stores information about your ISP company, location etc.
It can potentially be used as evidence in court in cases of malpractice/crime.

Hope that helps,
Andy

No, our ISP is *****, I think. In *****. But every time I get logged off, and then log back on, the IP address is different. Usually its in ****. But then dad comes home and it all gets weird.

Its not like I do anything real critical online. No bank account, no credit cards, whatever. About the most I do is download/stream music or post on VT or whatever. I'm not real worried about the world figuring that out, I just wouldnt want my dads office monitoring it. My dad can anyway, and probably does. They watch my internet activity pretty closely, and I am sure they check what I do online and probably even read this forum. I dont care about that, its just the other people at his work that scare me... although they probably wouldnt care any more than my parents do.

[Andyyy95]

No, our ISP is *****, I think. In *****. But every time I get logged off, and then log back on, the IP address is different. Usually its in ****. But then dad comes home and it all gets weird.

Its not like I do anything real critical online. No bank account, no credit cards, whatever. About the most I do is download/stream music or post on VT or whatever. I'm not real worried about the world figuring that out, I just wouldnt want my dads office monitoring it. My dad can anyway, and probably does. They watch my internet activity pretty closely, and I am sure they check what I do online and probably even read this forum. I dont care about that, its just the other people at his work that scare me... although they probably wouldnt care any more than my parents do.

How do you check your IP address?
I'm pretty sure that people in his office will take no interest in his private/family life; I'd be pretty worried if they did, but I'm sure your dad will take appropriate action :) Don't worry about it man!

[Jaffe]

How do you check your IP address? I did a little bit of searching on your ISP, and came across this page of theirs which explains how to do it, do you use these methods?

I'm pretty sure that people in his office will take no interest in his private/family life; I'd be pretty worried if they did, but I'm sure your dad will take appropriate action :) Don't worry about it man!

Heh, youre right. If tracking what I do online is the best thing they have to take up their time, we are in serious trouble, lol. Although it is government, so who knows if they even have duties to take up their time or if they are just playing games all day......

The instructions are like.... wow. Google says right now:

Your public IP address

The guy at the office gave me a link to use,
https://www.whatismyip.com/my-ip-information/?iref=home
Which says right now:
Your IP Address Is:

The instructions part about ipconfig /all gives me about 4 pages of stuff to scroll through, and every part has a different IP address. They are sections like Ethernet Adapter, Wireless LAN adapter, Ethernet Controller 2, Tunnel Adapter Local 9, Tunnel Adapter WAN 2, Tunnel Adapter isatap, Node Controller, WAN Configuration.... just confusing stuff that doesnt mean shit to me. And every one of them has a different IP, although some of them are only different in the last part, after the last period. But some of them are totally different, and none of them are the IP that Google gives me.

So yeah... way over my level of non-expertise. It's staying how it is, I am gonna remain forever confused, and I am not gonna touch it. I decided to stick with the idea that the internet is just some magic way of talking to people all over the world. As long as it comes on, I'm good with it. The tiny bit of my brain that is at all Tech has already been overloaded.

But I have to admit, this has been a really interesting discussion and interesting process.

[Andyyy95]

Heh, youre right. If tracking what I do online is the best thing they have to take up their time, we are in serious trouble, lol. Although it is government, so who knows if they even have duties to take up their time or if they are just playing games all day......

The TWC instructions part about ipconfig /all gives me about 4 pages of stuff to scroll through, and every part has a different IP address. They are sections like Ethernet Adapter, Wireless LAN adapter, Ethernet Controller 2, Tunnel Adapter Local 9, Tunnel Adapter WAN 2, Tunnel Adapter isatap, Node Controller, WAN Configuration.... just confusing stuff that doesnt mean shit to me. And every one of them has a different IP, although some of them are only different in the last part, after the last period. But some of them are totally different, and none of them are the IP that Google gives me.

So yeah... way over my level of non-expertise. It's staying how it is, I am gonna remain forever confused, and I am not gonna touch it. I decided to stick with the idea that the internet is just some magic way of talking to people all over the world. As long as it comes on, I'm good with it. The tiny bit of my brain that is at all Tech has already been overloaded.

But I have to admit, this has been a really interesting discussion and interesting process.

Before I reply, can you delete all information about your IP address? It's one of those things you should never share publicly on the Web for security reasons!

[Jaffe]

Before I reply, can you delete all information about your IP address? It's one of those things you should never share publicly on the Web for security reasons!


Done. Thanks. I probably should have figured that out from what you said before. But I didnt really make that connection.

[Andyyy95]

Heh, youre right. If tracking what I do online is the best thing they have to take up their time, we are in serious trouble, lol. Although it is government, so who knows if they even have duties to take up their time or if they are just playing games all day......

Essentially speaking, yes, government can open anybody's webpages if they wanted to; it's their job, censorship.


The guy at the office gave me a link to use,
https://www.whatismyip.com/my-ip-information/?iref=home

Hmm, I just tried that link, and it worked fine for me! But as I said, the IP address is unique to your device regardless of whether they can trace your location accurately or not.


The TWC instructions part about ipconfig /all gives me about 4 pages of stuff to scroll through, and every part has a different IP address. They are sections like Ethernet Adapter, Wireless LAN adapter, Ethernet Controller 2, Tunnel Adapter Local 9, Tunnel Adapter WAN 2, Tunnel Adapter isatap, Node Controller, WAN Configuration.... just confusing stuff that doesnt mean shit to me. And every one of them has a different IP, although some of them are only different in the last part, after the last period. But some of them are totally different, and none of them are the IP that Google gives me.

So yeah... way over my level of non-expertise.

Oh gosh, the settings for your ISP modem/router are a LOT more confusing that what I've ever used, networking wise! I would have thought that there are settings available for limiting bandwidth to a fixed number of MB/s, like you can on some gaming applications.

It's staying how it is, I am gonna remain forever confused, and I am not gonna touch it. I decided to stick with the idea that the internet is just some magic way of talking to people all over the world. As long as it comes on, I'm good with it. The tiny bit of my brain that is at all Tech has already been overloaded.

But I have to admit, this has been a really interesting discussion and interesting process.

Yep, I guess that's the way it seems; as long as you still have some form of Internet to use most of the time, it's not worth worrying about! I'm rather thankful for the Internet, it's helped connect me with some of the best friends that I have today!

Thanks for the discussion though, I rather enjoyed it; we learn something new each day!

[Jaffe]

Essentially speaking, yes, government can open anybody's webpages if they wanted to; it's their job, censorship.

True. Luckily, when I said "government" I was talking about the *****, not the USA, since my dad works for ******. I'm guessing they are a lot less censoring than the US is. Although I also suspect the US government could be watching us anyway.

Thanks again for your help, and your insights. And even for confusing me at times and making me think of things and research things that I never would have even known to think about.

[Andyyy95]

True. Luckily, when I said "government" I was talking about the *****, not the USA, since my dad works for ******. I'm guessing they are a lot less censoring than the US is. Although I also suspect the US government could be watching us anyway.

Thanks again for your help, and your insights. And even for confusing me at times and making me think of things and research things that I never would have even known to think about.

Oh okay, that's lucky then! Yeah, the UK is starting to get a lot stricter as well; a lot of torrenting sites have been banned just like in the US.

It's okay, I'm glad that technology/IT has inspired you in some way :)

[Jaffe]

Yeah, it won't fix it but it is a little aid. Let me know how it works out for you

Hey Nick. I installed the program a few days ago, but today was the first time it was needed and it seems to work. It takes it a minute to figure out that I have been logged off. And it waits to log on until I open the tab or program, but it is still a lot easier.

Thanks

[Plane And Simple]

Hey Jorge. I installed the program a few days ago, but today was the first time it was needed and it seems to work. It takes it a minute to figure out that I have been logged off. And it waits to log on until I open the tab or program, but it is still a lot easier.

Thanks

No problem. Glad to be of help