WiFi alert issued to all UK homes to check routers NOW over ‘mass blackout' risk
TEMPERATURES are soaring across the UK this weekend with Brits enjoying the sunshine.
Although hot weather is great for BBQs and tanning, your internet connection might suffer.
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UK homes could experience connectivity issues with 25 per cent slower WI-FI.
According to Broadband Genie, high temperatures could overheat your router with upload speeds dropping by 27 per cent.
These black boxes, just like most devices, don't like being too hot and could completely shut down.
In order to avoid a total blackout, it is advised to keep your router away from the direct sunlight.
The Broadband Genie team told Mirror: 'Broadband companies design and test their equipment to operate in and around temperatures up to 40°C.
'If users can keep their broadband router below this, we'll avoid a wave of mass broadband blackouts.
'Customers should check their router isn't placed in an unsuitable spot, such as next to any sunny south-facing window or a sweltering loft space.
'A couple of minutes taken here will save your broadband grinding to a halt, avoiding any broadband-related frustrations.'
But don't tuck away your router inside a cabinet either as that could block the signal.
It is recommended to place your black box at least 30cm off the floor on a flat, hard surface.
Brand new Wi-Fi router revealed
Broadband Genie also warns pet owners to keep their fur babies away from the router.
Your fluffy friend's fur could congest the air ducts which will prevent ventilation.
If your router is too old and is struggling to keep cool even with all precautions taken, you might want to consider an upgrade.
Experts say households should replace their router once every five years, at the very least.
The newer models run cooler and aren't as perceptive to the temperature, and they could cost you only £50.
If all else fails and the temperatures reach 40+ degrees, it is best to disconnect from the internet and bask in the Sun while giving your devices a break.
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The pot plant on the filing cabinet behind my interviewer's head needs water. Its curling leaves distract me as the floppy-haired recruiter in a crumpled black polo shirt poses his next question: 'In the role of tax consultant at McKinsey, balancing technical expertise with interpersonal skills enhances client relationships. Can you share an example of how your organisational skills and multitasking have benefited a specific task?' I gabble through my recent work organising a large charity auction in my spare time, while juggling work deadlines and three busy children. The interviewer nods, looking impressed. 'It's fantastic that you bring those soft skills to the table.' The grilling goes well until I hit some actual tax questions and stumble. My two decades in business journalism will not, it's clear, secure me a role as one of McKinsey's newest tax consultants. But thousands of words of post-interview feedback arrive seconds later, and they are gently encouraging. 'You demonstrated your ability to mobilise resources and engage others … but need to practise emphasising how your unique abilities will benefit the company.' Impressive — since the whole recruitment process was carried out by robots. For £70 a month, website Final Round AI offers mock interviews with a human-like chatbot. Its questions are honed to any job listing you provide plus your CV. McKinsey had no involvement with the process, but one of its applicants might well have practised here first. The CV I used was concocted by AIApply, which also makes cover letters specific to the demands of any job posting. A monthly subscription costs £23. Before interviews, it provided a list of likely questions alongside what it deemed perfect answers. No need to learn them, though; for £29.99 a month the Interview Buddy app offers 'real-time assistance during job interviews, helping you answer questions confidently'. 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Not all candidates despise the changes, however. Rachel, a jobseeker who did not want her surname published, said ChatGPT and its rival, Claude, were 'huge timesavers.' 'I used them to refine cover letters, tailor them to job descriptions, and insert the right keywords,' she said. 'Recruiters are using AI, so I need to speak their language to pass the screenings. ChatGPT stripped out my personal attachment to my CV and showed me what was key and what was fluff, and what recruiters would ask me. It takes the legwork out of applications.' To those returning to the job market after a long time, the recruitment landscape will 'feel very alien,' Miller acknowledged. 'The best thing you can do is learn how to use AI. Avoid applying for jobs on inundated sites such as LinkedIn and Indeed, and turn towards company websites and niche job boards to lessen the competition. 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