If you are experiencing problems with your internet these days, especially if you are in West Africa, then this solution with X VPN might make things easier for you, if not solve your problems. Thankfully, this is a solution that works for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS users.
Download X VPN
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If you are running on either of the three previously mentioned operating systems, it might take a while to get it downloaded if your network problems are severe. When you do, though, you may find things smoother thereafter.
For Windows download, I downloaded the (.exe) file on my mobile phone first—as it was easier to do there—and then transferred the file to my Windows PC for installation.
Connect to UDP
User Datagram Protocol is one of those protocols that we use to send data over the internet. It prioritises speed over reliability, and that's why it works during these times when there is a worldwide problem with connecting to the internet in many places.
After successfully connecting to UDP, your network should work just fine. So far, it works well for me to connect over ISPs like MTN.
The Internet and Protocols
The invisible backbone of the internet is the network of undersea cables. They are the reason why the internet works and keeps us connected all over the world, as most of the internet activities run through it. We wouldn't have the internet as we have it now.
Some undersea cables were cut recently, and that is why we have these problems with the internet these days. There is no word on how that happened, however.
Undersea cable providers say that it will take at least a month to sort out the issues, mostly because it takes time to get permits to work in those areas on the sea. Other sources say that they are working relentlessly to fix the problems as soon as they can.
Why UDP?
Protocols like User Datagram Protocol (UDP) are basically rules and standards that control how data is sent and received over the internet. And UDP is usually more effective in time-sensitive use cases as it is way faster.
Unlike most other communication protocols, UDP doesn't require handshaking before data packets are sent; that is, it doesn't try to form firm connections with its destination before sending the data. And because it doesn't spend time doing that, it is faster than protocols like TCP.
Owing to the fault in the undersea cables and the re-routing of many of the internet activities, communications between data sources and destinations are wonky. That, for example, results in many of the inconveniences we experience on Hive. Since UDP doesn't "wait for handshaking," it makes things a little smoother.
Drawbacks of UDP
Handshaking is important for securing connections and ensuring that data packets are delivered to the right destinations and in the correct order. And, although UDP may be faster, it puts users at risk of DDoS attacks, as well as errors in the transmission of data without handshaking.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is like a traffic jam. It's like driving on the road and finding a lot of cars on your way. The road gets congested and getting through becomes a hassle.
Just like that, in a DDoS attack, there would be many computers flooding a website or internet service with a lot of overwhelming traffic, so much so that the site stops working.
UDP leaves a site particularly vulnerable to DDoS attacks because no handshake is required between the source and destination. The source can freely bombard the destination without getting the “OK” to do so.[Source]
One doesn't have to use UDP forever, though. It is what one may need during these times or when prioritising speed for things like games.
Hopefully, the solution with X VPN works for you. And that your experience with the internet is much smoother.