Why Does Dsl Modem Security Setting Affect Internet Speed?

GoshenGeek · Mar 21, 2016

System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit SP 1
Laptop: ASUS K52F
Internet connectivity: DSL, nominal 3Mbps download
ISP: Frontier Communications

I have been having trouble with slow Internet speeds for the last few weeks. The 3Mbps promised by Frontier has actually been ranging from 1-1.8Mbps (SpeedTest.net) and web pages are noticeably slower. Tonight I tried an experiment. I would appreciate if someone would explain why this worked and what it means.

I changed the security setting of my DSL modem from high (maximum) to low (minimum). [See attached pic for the different modem security settings.] At the low setting, I am now getting download speed of 3.5-4 Mbps and web pages / videos are noticeably faster.

Why does the security setting have such a difference?
Can someone explain what the different security settings mean?

DavidGP · Mar 23, 2016

Hi

What DSL router are you using?
But judging by the list you have from the modems menu, the higher the security setting the slower your internet speeds, and this is more than likely due to the modem filtering pages (like the ones at Speedtest as they use a lot of adverts etc and specific ones "could" be getting filtered) and specific ports, lower the setting and more data is allowed through. Whats the speed like on Medium?

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Why Does Dsl Modem Security Setting Affect Internet Speed?

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