There are many reasons why your browser isn’t moving through pages as fast as you’d like. Some of the problem may be on your side of the connection; the network you use may also be part of the problem.

Without getting into the specific settings of each PC, Mac or Linux machine, one very basic step is to clear the browser cache to eliminate your temporary files — pages you’ve previously visited via a Web browser.

To clear the cache on Internet Explorer: go to Tools, Internet Options and then use the General tab. Look for the section called Temporary Internet files, then click Delete files to remove pages in the browser’s cache. Similar steps are followed with Firefox.

For users who have a Wi-Fi router in their home or office, one other improvement is to use the Open DNS service offered free at www.OpenDNS.com. There’s no software to install, though you have to be capable of opening your router’s basic settings and making one or two small changes.

How it works: All browsers go to preset servers that store domain names, then translate the names (like www.google.com) into an Internet Protocol number.

Open DNS uses its own system to speed up the DNS search function, giving you slightly improved responses when opening pages. The service also allegedly locks you from going to some established phishing sites. OpenDNS works equally well to improve connections for routers on a network, or with a standalone PC or Mac.