VIRGIN Media has urged customers to check their antivirus app, as it could be slowing down their Wi-Fi behind the scenes.

In a recent blog post, the network provider said that it wants "your broadband to work just as hard as you do – on the clock and when you’re off-duty, because we know relaxation mode is just as important as work mode."

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Antivirus applications are essential for any laptop and PC.

They stop users from falling victim to malware.

Every device connected to your broadband will reduce the available bandwidth, so switch off everything that’s not in use so there’s enough capacity for the video.

Virgin Media

"Most people are concerned with their download speed, but a slow upload speed can wreak havoc with your video calls, live streaming and gaming," the company writes.

"Using your antivirus, check for any malware or viruses that may impact the performance of your device or potentially slow your broadband speed."

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If your antivirus app has caught malware in its net, then tackling that will likely require more bandwidth than usual.

If your antivirus is left running checks in the background regularly, then you may want to time this for when you won't be using your Wi-Fi as much for other activities - such as, overnight.

Virgin Media explains: "Every device connected to your broadband will reduce the available bandwidth, so switch off everything that’s not in use so there’s enough capacity for the video.

"Shut down or pause apps or services running in the background – this is particularly relevant if you’re streaming on a computer."

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Important note: Don't disable your antivirus completely, as it will be keeping your laptop or PC safe while surfing the web.

What you can do is temporarily disable it to see whether it is the culprit behind your slow Wi-Fi.

If it is, try a different antivirus provider.

There are plenty of antivirus providers out there with many offering free trials.