Technology
Speed up your hot spot with these tips to significantly improve your connection
Are you tired of sluggish hot spot speeds? You’re not alone in this digital dilemma, as many people rely on mobile hot spots for their internet needs. Ben recently reached out with this frustrating situation:
“I don’t have hardwired Wi-Fi in my house. I use my phone’s hotspot (sic) when I need to use my laptop. The whole Wi-Fi process is always very slow. I have even changed laptops twice, and the process is always slow. I have even changed phone carriers (not for this reason), and it’s the same thing. Do you have any suggestions?”
Ben, I feel your pain. Slow internet is incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re relying on a hot spot for all your online needs. Let’s break down some solutions to get your hot spot humming along.
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A man frustrated by his hot spot (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The cell signal struggle is real
First things first, your hot spot is only as good as your cell signal. Since hot spots rely on cellular data, a weak signal means slow speeds. Here are some quick fixes:
Find the sweet spot: Move to an area with better reception, ideally near a window or upstairs.
Elevate your phone: Get it off the ground and away from obstructions.
Consider a signal booster: These devices can amplify your cellular signal, giving your hot spot a much-needed boost.
Man using hot spot near window for faster speed (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
AVOID PUBLIC WI-FI BY USING YOUR IPHONE AS A HOT SPOT
Tech tweaks for faster speeds
Now, let’s look at some settings and optimizations:
1) Use the 5G frequency band
If your phone supports it, use the 5G frequency band for zippier connections.
For iPhone
- Open the Settings app
- Tap Cellular
- Choose Cellular Data Options
- Tap Voice & Data
- Select 5G On for faster speeds or 5G Auto for balance between speed and battery life
Steps to use the 5G frequency band on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
For Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Open the Settings app
- Tap Connections
- Select Mobile networks
- Tap Network mode (or Preferred network type, depending on your device)
- Choose 5G or a similar option that includes 5G
If you don’t see the exact options listed, your device might have slightly different terminology or menu structures.
2) Turn off battery-saving mode
If you have turned it on, turn off the battery-saving mode because it intentionally lowers your phone’s performance, including hot spot performance.
For iPhone:
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down and tap Battery
- Toggle off Low Power Mode
Steps to turn off battery-saving mode on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
For Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Open the Settings app
- Click Battery and Device Care
- Tap Battery
- Toggle off Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode
Steps to turn off battery-saving mode on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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3) Stay close to the hot spot
Keep your laptop near your phone when using the hot spot to ensure a strong connection. Your hot spot isn’t a long-distance runner, so stay within about five feet for the best connection.
Woman keeping her laptop close to her hot spot (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
CELLPHONE BOOSTERS VS MOBILE HOT SPOTS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE, HOW DO YOU CHOOSE?
4) Update your phone and devices
Keeping your devices up to date can improve their performance.
For iPhone:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap General
- Select Software Update
- Your phone will check for updates.
- If an update is available, click Update Now or Update Tonight
- Enter your passcode if you have one set
Steps to update iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
For Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down and tap System or Software update
- Select System Update or Download and install, depending on your device
Steps to update iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
5. Restart your phone and devices
Sometimes, a simple restart of both devices can work wonders in improving your hot spot speeds.
For iPhone:
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
- After the device turns off, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.
For Android:
- Press and hold the Power button
- Tap Restart or Reboot
A woman restarting her phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Clear the digital clutter
Your phone might be working overtime on other tasks, slowing down your hot spot. To clear digital clutter on your iPhone and Android device, follow these steps:
Close background apps while using your hot spot
iPhone:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle
- Swipe left or right to find the app you want to close
- Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it
Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Tap the Recent Apps button (usually the square icon)
- Swipe left or right to find the app you want to close
- Swipe up on the app to close it
Temporarily disable automatic app updates while using your hot spot
iPhone:
- Go to Settings
- Click App Store
- Toggle off App Updates under Automatic Downloads
Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Open the Google Play Store
- Tap your profile icon
- Click Settings
- Tap Network preferences
- Select Auto-update apps and choose Don’t auto-update apps
Disable app refreshes while using your hot spot
iPhone:
- Go to Settings
- Click General
- Tap Background App Refresh
- Toggle off Background App Refresh entirely or selectively for specific apps
Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Go to Settings
- Click Apps & notifications
- Tap See all apps
- Select the app you want to restrict
- Tap Mobile data & Wi-Fi or Data usage
- Toggle off Background data or Allow background data usage
By following these steps, you can reduce the digital clutter on your device and potentially improve your hot spot’s performance.
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A woman managing her data on her phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Managing data on iPhone and Android
Check your data situation to make sure you haven’t hit your data cap, which can lead to throttled speeds, and while it saves data, ditch data-saving mode as it can also slow down your hot spot. To address data dilemmas on both iPhone and Android devices, follow these steps:
1) Check data usage
iPhone
- Go to Settings
- Click Cellular and scroll down to view your Cellular data usage for the current period
Android
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Open Settings
- Click Network & internet
- Tap Mobile network
- Click App data usage to review your data usage and see if you are nearing your limit.
2) Disable data-saving mode
iPhone
- Navigate to Settings
- Click Cellular
- Tap Cellular Data Options
- Click Data Mode and ensure Low Data Mode is not checked
- Click Allow More Data on 5G to avoid throttling your hot spot speed
Android
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Go to Settings
- Click Network & internet
- Tap Data Saver
- Turn off Data Saver to ensure unrestricted access to data
Choosing your connection: Phone hot spot vs. mobile hot spot
When it comes to staying connected on the go, you have options: activating a hot spot on your phone or investing in a separate mobile hot spot device. While many phone plans allow you to use your phone as a hot spot, this depends on your carrier and plan specifics. A dedicated mobile hot spot device can offer better connectivity, support more devices, and preserve your phone’s battery life. This can be particularly beneficial for those who travel frequently, work remotely or need a reliable internet connection in areas with spotty Wi-Fi. Check out our top mobile hot spots to find the best in speed, security and convenience for your needs.
Kurt’s key takeaways
I hope these tips help you squeeze every last bit of speed out of your hot spot. While these tips should help improve your speeds, it’s worth noting that a mobile hot spot might never quite match the consistency and speed of a hardwired connection. If these solutions don’t cut it, you might want to explore other internet options available in your area. Some cellular providers offer dedicated home internet services that could provide a more stable connection than a phone hot spot.
What are your go-to solutions for staying connected and efficient while traveling or working remotely? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
OpenAI keeps shuffling its executives in bid to win AI agent battle
OpenAI announced yet another reorganization Friday, consolidating certain areas and making company president Greg Brockman the official lead of all things product.
In a memo viewed by The Verge, Brockman wrote that since OpenAI’s product strategy for this year is to go all-in on AI agents, the company is combining its products to “invest in a single agentic platform and to merge ChatGPT and Codex into one unified agentic experience for all.”
To do this, the company is making a suite of org chart changes, although it’s still operating under some of the same ones from last month. That’s when AGI boss Fidji Simo went on medical leave and OpenAI announced that Brockman would be in charge of product strategy and CSO Jason Kwon, CFO Sarah Friar, and CRO Denise Dresser would take control of business operations.
It’s all part of OpenAI’s recent strategic shift to focus on key revenue drivers like coding and enterprise and stop pouring resources into “side quests” ahead of its potential IPO later this year and amid investor pressure to turn a profit.
In Simo’s continued absence, Brockman’s role leading product strategy is now official, as well as the company’s “scaling” arm. Under Brockman will be four different pillars. The first is core product and platform, led by Thibault Sottiaux, who has been OpenAI’s engineering lead for Codex, and the second is critical enterprise industries, led by ChatGPT head Nick Turley. Third is the consumer pillar, such as health, commerce, and personal finance, which will be led by Ashley Alexander, who has been its healthcare products VP. The fourth pillar — core infrastructure, ads, data science, and growth — will be led by Vijaye Raji, who has been OpenAI’s CTO of applications.
Brockman wrote in the memo that OpenAI’s goal is now to “bring agents to ChatGPT scale, in order to give individuals and organizations significantly more value and utility from our products.”
Technology
Is that traffic ticket text a scam or real?
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
You’re going about your day when your phone buzzes. A text hits your phone. It looks official. It sounds urgent. And suddenly, you are being told you owe money for a traffic violation. That is exactly what Todd from Texas experienced. He emailed us and said:
“I received this text message today. It was so baffling because I haven’t lived in California for nearly a decade. I didn’t click on anything or respond. How can I tell if this is for real or if this is a scam?”
If you’ve gotten a message like this, you are not alone. This type of scam is spreading fast, and it is designed to pressure you into acting before you think. Let’s break down what is really going on.
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FAKE AGENT PHONE SCAMS ARE SPREADING FAST ACROSS THE US
This message may look official, but several red flags show it is likely a scam designed to pressure you into paying quickly. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What the traffic ticket scam text looks like
At first, the message seems convincing. It claims to be a “final reminder” from the California DMV, and it warns of penalties like license suspension and added fees. It even includes a link that appears somewhat official. However, once you slow down and take a closer look, the red flags quickly start to pile up.
The biggest red flags in this message
Here are the key warning signs to watch for in messages like this.
9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU
1) The phone number makes no sense
The message comes from a number with a +63 country code. That is the Philippines, not California. Government agencies in the U.S. do not send official legal notices from international numbers. That alone is a major warning sign.
2) No name, just “Dear Driver”
Legitimate notices from a DMV or court almost always include your full name or at least some identifying information. “Dear Driver” is vague on purpose. It allows scammers to send the same message to thousands of people.
3) The link isn’t a real DMV website
The message includes this link:
ca.mnvtl.life/dmv
That isn’t a government domain. Official DMV websites in California use “.ca.gov” or similar trusted domains. Scammers often create lookalike links to trick you into clicking.
4) Urgency and threats
The message pushes you to act quickly with a deadline. It lists consequences like license suspension and extra charges. Scammers rely on fear. When you feel rushed, you are more likely to click without thinking.
FBI WARNS OF DANGEROUS NEW ‘SMISHING’ SCAM TARGETING YOUR PHONE
5) Asking you to reply to proceed
The text says to reply with “Y” to get instructions. That is another trap. Responding confirms your number is active, which can lead to more scam messages.
6) Generic language and odd phrasing
Parts of the message feel slightly off. The tone is formal but not quite right. That subtle awkwardness is common in scam messages sent to large groups of people.
7) Overloaded threats designed to scare you
The message piles on consequences like license suspension, added fees, court action and even credit damage. In this case, it even mentions a license suspension and a $160 late payment charge. That combination is meant to overwhelm you and push you to act fast. Real agencies usually provide clear, specific notices, not a long list of escalating threats in a single text.
INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU
Scam texts like this often arrive out of nowhere and try to create urgency before you have time to question them. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What this means for you
Even if you have never driven in California, you could still receive this message. Scammers cast a wide net and hope someone takes the bait. If you click the link, you could be taken to a fake payment page. That page may ask for your credit card details, personal information or login credentials. In some cases, it can also install malware on your device or redirect you to credential-stealing pages. This isn’t about a ticket. It is about getting your data. State DMVs typically do not send final legal notices or payment demands by text message.
Why these scams keep working
These messages work because they tap into something most people fear. Legal trouble, fines and losing driving privileges. They also look just real enough to pass a quick glance. That is all scammers need. As more services move online, these scams will continue to evolve.
Unlike typical DMV scams, this message impersonates a court and escalates the threats to make the situation feel more serious (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Ways to stay safe from traffic ticket text scams
Start with a simple rule. Never trust a payment request that shows up out of nowhere. Here are practical steps you can take:
1) Do not click the link
If you are unsure, do not tap anything in the message. That includes links and reply options.
2) Use strong antivirus software
If you accidentally click a link, strong antivirus software can help detect malware and protect your data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
3) Verify directly with the DMV
Go to your state’s official DMV website by typing it yourself into your browser. Do not use the link in the text.
4) Check the sender carefully
Look at the phone number. International numbers or random strings are a clear warning sign.
5) Ignore generic greetings
Real notices will usually include your name or case details. Vague language is a red flag.
6) Consider a data removal service
Scammers often get your number from data broker sites. Removing your personal info from those databases with a data removal service can reduce these messages. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
7) Block and report the number
On your phone, block the sender and report it as spam. This helps reduce future attempts.
8) Turn on spam filtering
Enable spam filtering on your phone or through your carrier to catch more of these messages before they reach you.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Todd did the right thing. He paused, questioned the message and did not click. That one decision likely saved him from handing over personal information. When it comes to messages like this, skepticism is your best defense. If something feels off, trust that instinct.
Should phone carriers and tech companies be doing more to block scams like this before you ever see them? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Honda’s hybrid future starts with new Accord and RDX prototypes
Honda revealed prototypes of two new hybrid models, an Accord sedan and the Acura RDX SUV, during its annual business briefing this week, built on a platform that it says will begin launching next year. The RDX was announced earlier this year as Honda’s first SUV to feature the next-gen version of its two-motor hybrid system.
In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.
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