00:00Hey everyone and welcome back to the channel. Today we're re-diving deep into a topic that
00:06affects every single one of us. Our digital privacy and how fast our internet feels.
00:13We're re-going to look ahead to 2026 and talk about two key things. Disabling telemetry
00:20and optimizing your connection speed. You might be thinking, what on earth is telemetry?
00:26Don't worry, we're going to break it all down. By the end of this video, ULL have actionable steps
00:33to take back control of your data and make your internet experience smoother and faster.
00:39So, let's start with the big one. Telemetry. In simple terms, telemetry is the process of collecting
00:47and transmitting data from remote sources. Your computer, your phone, your smart TV, even your car.
00:55They're all constantly sending little packets of information back to their manufacturers.
01:01This data can include how you use the device, which apps you open, how long you use them,
01:07system performance, error reports, and sometimes even your location.
01:13Now, companies will tell you this is all for a good cause to improve their products, fix bugs,
01:19and enhance user experience. And to be fair, sometimes it is.
01:25But here's the catch. You often do and have a clear picture of exactly what data is being collected,
01:32who it's being shared with, or how it's being secured.
01:37It's like having someone constantly looking over your shoulder while you use your own devices.
01:42This constant data transmission also consumes a small but steady stream of your bandwidth,
01:50which, over time, can add up and subtly slow down your connection.
01:55As we move towards 2026, with more and more of our lives becoming connected,
02:01the amount of telemetry data being generated is set to explode.
02:05That's why understanding how to manage it is more important than ever.
02:11So how do we turn this on?
02:13Let's start with the most common operating system, Windows.
02:17Microsoft has faced a lot of scrutiny over its telemetry practices.
02:22To adjust these settings, you'll want to go to your Start menu.
02:26Click on Settings.
02:28Then head over to Privacy and Security.
02:31From there, find the section called Diagnostics and Feedback.
02:36You'll see an option for Diagnostic Data.
02:39Your best bet for privacy is to select the option that sends only required or basic data.
02:46This minimizes the information sent to Microsoft.
02:50While you're in the Privacy and Security settings, take a good look around.
02:55You'll find permissions for your location, camera, microphone, and more.
03:00Go through each one and turn off anything you don't actively use or trust.
03:06It's like doing a spring clean for your digital privacy.
03:10For our Mac users, Apple generally has a better reputation for privacy,
03:14but it's still wise to check your settings.
03:17Go to System Settings, then Privacy and Security.
03:22Scroll down to Analytics and Improvements.
03:25Here, you can uncheck options like Share Mac Analytics and Share with App Developers.
03:31This will stop your device from sending anonymous usage data back to Apple and third-party developers.
03:39Again, it's worth reviewing all the other privacy settings in this section
03:44to make sure you'll be comfortable with the permissions you've been granted to your ads.
03:49Now, let's talk about our mobile devices, which are with us 24-7s.
03:55On an Android phone, the path can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, like Samsung or Google.
04:03But generally, you'll go to Settings, Search for Usage and Diagnostics,
04:09and you should find a toggle to turn it off.
04:11For Google-specific settings, open your phone's settings.
04:16Go to Google, then tap the three dots in the top right and select Usage and Diagnostics to disable it.
04:24On an iPhone, the process is similar to Mac OS.
04:28Go to Settings, then Privacy and Security.
04:31Scroll all the way down to Analytics and Improvements.
04:35Here, you can toggle off Share iPhone Analytics and other sharing options.
04:40Taking these steps on your computer and phone is a massive leap forward in protecting your digital footprint.
04:48You're essentially telling these big tech companies,
04:51thanks, but I'd rather keep my data to myself.
04:55But disabling telemetry isn't just about privacy.
04:59It can also give you a small but noticeable boost in network performance.
05:04Every packet of telemetry data sent from your devices uses a tiny bit of your internet bandwidth.
05:12Think of your internet connection as a highway.
05:15Telemetry data is like a constant trickle of extra cars on that highway.
05:20By themselves, they don't cause a traffic jam.
05:23But when you have dozens of devices and apps, all sending data at once, it can contribute to network congestion,
05:32making your browsing, streaming and gaming feel just a little bit slower.
05:37By turning it off, you're clearing some of that unnecessary traffic,
05:42freeing up bandwidth for the things you actually want to do online.
05:46This brings us to our next major topic, actively optimizing your connection speed for 2026 and beyond.
05:55The first and most crucial step in optimizing your connection is understanding your router.
06:01Your Wi-Fi router is the heart of your home network.
06:05Most people just use the default one their internet service provider gave them.
06:10Plug it in and forget about it.
06:13But that's a huge mistake.
06:15ISP-provided routers are often basic, with outdated firmware and limited features.
06:22Investing in a quality third-party router is one of the best upgrades you can make.
06:27Look for routers that support the latest Wi-Fi standards,
06:31like Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E or by 2026.
06:36Probably even Wi-Fi 7.
06:38These newer standards are much better at handling multiple devices,
06:43reducing latency and providing faster speeds.
06:47When you get your new router, don't just use the default settings.
06:51Once you're inside the router settings, let's talk about channels.
06:56Wi-Fi operates on different channels, like lanes on a highway.
07:00If you and all your neighbours are using the same channel,
07:04it gets crowded and slows everyone down.
07:07Most routers are set to auto by default, but they don't always pick the best option.
07:13You can use a Wi-Fi analyzer app on your phone to see which channels are the most congested in
07:20your area.
07:21The 2.4 GHz band is older and more crowded, typically with channels 1, 6 and 11 being the best
07:30choices.
07:31The 5 GHz band is much faster and has more channels, so it's usually less congested.
07:38If your router supports it, try to connect as many of your devices as possible to the 5 GHz band,
07:44especially for things like streaming, 4K video or online gaming.
07:50Some modern routers even have a 6 GHz band, which is even faster and more exclusive.
07:56Splitting your devices between these bands is a great way to improve performance for everyone.
08:02Another powerful feature to look for in a modern router is quality of service, or COTS.
08:09COTS allows you to prioritise internet traffic for specific devices or applications.
08:15For example, you can tell your router that your work laptop and your gaming console are the most important devices
08:22on the network.
08:23When network traffic gets heavy, the router will make sure those devices get the bandwidth they need first,
08:31resulting in smoother video calls and lag-free gaming, even if someone else in the house starts streaming a movie.
08:39Setting up COTS can seem a bit technical, but most modern routers have a very user-friendly drag-and-drop
08:46interface for it.
08:47You can simply drag your gaming PC to the highest priority slot, and you're good to go.
08:54This is a game-changer for anyone who relies on a stable, low-latency connection.
09:00Now let's zoom out from the router and look at your whole network.
09:04The best connection is always a wired connection.
09:08If you have a desktop PC, a gaming console, or a smart TV that stays in one place,
09:15connect it directly to your router with an ethernet cable.
09:19It's faster, more stable, and more secure than Wi-Fi.
09:24No contest.
09:25For devices that need to be mobile, the placement of your router is key.
09:30Don't hide it in a closet or at the far end of your house.
09:34Place it in a central, open location, as high up as possible.
09:39Wi-Fi signals radiate outwards and downwards.
09:42So, a high central spot ensures the best possible coverage.
09:48Keep it away from thick walls, metal objects, and other electronic devices, like microwave ovens, which can interfere with the
09:57signal.
09:57If you have a large home or an area with poor signal, a Wi-Fi mesh system is a fantastic
10:04solution.
10:04Instead of a single router, a mesh system uses multiple nodes placed around your house to create a single, seamless
10:12Wi-Fi network with no dead zones.
10:15Finally, let's talk about DNS.
10:18The domain name system, or DNS, is like the Internet's phone book.
10:23When you type a website, like youtube.com, into your browser, your computer asks a DNS server to translate that
10:31name into an IP address that it can connect to.
10:35By default, you're using your Internet provider's DNS servers, which can sometimes be slow and may even log your browsing
10:43activity.
10:44Switching to a third-party DNS provider can both speed up your browsing and enhance your privacy.
10:51Some of the most popular and respected options are Cloudflare's 1.1, 1.1, and Google's 8.8.
10:598.8 Cloudflare, in particular, is heavily focused on privacy and promises not to log your data.
11:07Changing your DNS settings is easy.
11:10You can do it on your router, which will apply the change to every device on your network, or you
11:16can change it on individual devices.
11:18It's a simple tweak that can make your web browsing feel noticeably snappier.
11:23So there you have it.
11:25As we look towards 2026, our digital lives will only become more intertwined with technology.
11:32By being proactive, you can build a digital environment that respects your privacy and delivers the performance you need.
11:41We've covered disabling telemetry on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS to take back control of your personal data.
11:50We've also gone through a whole host of network optimizations, from choosing the right router and managing Wi-Fi channels,
11:58to using Qoos, wired connections, and custom DNS.
12:03Taking these steps will not only protect your privacy, but also give you a faster, more reliable, and more enjoyable
12:10internet experience.
12:12It might seem like a lot, but you can tackle these one step at a time.
12:16Start with the privacy settings on your phone right now.
12:21It only takes a few minutes.
12:22I hope this guide was helpful for you.
12:25If you have any questions or your own tips to share, please drop them in the comments below.
12:31I love hearing from you all.
12:33Thanks so much for watching.
12:35And if you found this video valuable, please give it a thumbs up and consider subscribing for more content on
12:42tech and privacy.
12:43See you in the next one.
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