FAQ
FAQ
Here are the questions people ask most often about technology at home: why Wi-Fi doesn't work everywhere, how to store family photos, whether you need to change passwords and how to use online services. The answers are short and general. When an answer depends on a specific device, provider or agency, we point you to where official information can be found and don't make up figures.
A good question to your provider or support team starts with "I've already checked". That way you'll get a useful answer faster.
How this section works: a question is included if it is asked often and can be answered from open standards and official information. We do not offer personal consultations or remote help.
Internet and Wi-Fi
Why is Wi-Fi fast in one room and barely working in another?
Walls, distance and furniture weaken the signal, especially on 5 and 6 GHz. Try moving the router closer to the centre of your home or connecting to 2.4 GHz in the far room.
Should I replace my router with a Wi-Fi 7 one?
Only if your devices support it and you need more speed at short range. With older devices, a new router works only as well as they allow.
What does an internet plan "up to" a certain speed mean?
It's the upper limit. The real speed on your device depends on Wi-Fi, the distance to the router and how many devices are using the network at once.
Can I leave my Wi-Fi without a password?
It's not a good idea. Use WPA3 or WPA2 security and a password that only your household knows. Many routers also offer a separate guest network for visitors.
Devices and data
If my photos are in the cloud, do I need another copy?
Yes. Under the 3-2-1 rule you need three copies on two different types of storage. The cloud is a good copy away from home, but it shouldn't be the only one.
Is sync the same as a backup?
Not quite. Sync repeats changes: if a file is deleted on one device, it may disappear from the others too. A separate backup protects you from that kind of mistake as well.
How often should I change passwords?
According to NIST SP 800-63B-4, not on a schedule but when there are signs a password may have fallen into someone else's hands. What matters more is that it is long and not reused across services.
Do I really have to install updates?
It's strongly advisable. Updates fix known bugs and security holes. Install them when the device is charged and you have time to wait.
Online services
Where can I order an EGRN extract in Russia?
Through Gosuslugi, Russia's public services portal, or on the Rosreestr website. Services differ in other countries. We are not the website of these agencies and do not issue extracts.
Why doesn't my EGRN extract show the owner's name?
Since 1 March 2023, the owner's personal data in Russia's property register is not shown to third parties without the owner's consent. Consent is given by submitting an application to Rosreestr.
Where is Russia's public cadastral map now?
It now runs within the National Spatial Data System (NSPD). Searching by cadastral number shows the land category, address, area and cadastral value.
Can I see what a website used to look like?
Sometimes: the Internet Archive keeps copies of some pages in its Wayback Machine. But far from every page or date has been saved.
Related sections
- Troubleshooting
What to do when the internet drops, Wi-Fi is slow or your phone says its storage is full.
- Security
How to spot phone scammers, what makes a good password and how to protect your home network.
- How to check a land plot online (in Russian)
How to check a land plot in Russia by its cadastral number and what to look for in an EGRN extract.
Sources
- NIST SP 800-63B-4
- CISA (backup guidance)
- Wi-Fi Alliance
- Rosreestr (Russian Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography)
- NSPD (Russian National Spatial Data System)
- Gosuslugi (Russian public services portal)
- Internet Archive
Service features, device settings and password requirements change over time. Before taking an important step, check the official help pages of the manufacturer, your internet provider or the government service.