If you haven’t touched your Wi-Fi router in a while – or switched it off and rebooted it – now could be a good time to give things a quick spring clean. Virgin Media has just published some updated advice for customers and it’s worth taking note if you want to keep things running smoothly and protected from cyber bugs and other issues.

“A quick WiFi safety check-up every now and again is never a bad idea,” Virgin explained.

“In fact, now we’re in spring, why not consider it a part of your spring cleaning?”

There are some very simple things to try and they could help boost the online security in your home along with speeding up the connection beamed around the rooms.

Firstly, Virgin says it’s a good idea to check the position of your Hub (router) and make sure it’s in a prime position. This includes keeping it away from neighbouring or external walls.

“Finding the right spot is key if you don’t want to share your WiFi with a neighbour,” Virgin said.

“If you position the Hub away from an exterior or shared wall, it helps to keep your WiFi signal confined to your own household.”

The next thing you might want to try is to check what devices are connected to your network. Virgin’s Connect app will show you exactly how many gadgets are running through the router. It will also let you pause anything that seems unfamiliar – this not only stops rogue devices using you bandwidth but also makes things far more secure.

If you think you may have handed out your Wi-Fi code way too many times then now is also a good time to switch things up.

Virgin reckons that homes should consider changing this passphrase regularly via the Connect app. It’s a good idea to make the code 12 digits long and use a mix of upper and lower case characters along with numbers.

Another top tip is to change the broadcast of your SSID. For those not aware, the SSID (Service Set Identifier) is what appears when scanning for local Wi-Fi networks on your phone, PC or tablet. Virgin says it’s simple to make this appear less recognisable, so it’s not as likely neighbours or those passing by will try to access it.

“On the “WiFi Networks” section of the Connect app, you can swap the default network name and password for something less recognisable,” Virgin explained.

Finally, today could be a good day to switch off your router. Yes, a quick reboot can do a world of good and clear any issues or bugs that might be clogging things up.

Powering the router down and switching it back on again will also ensure that the Wi-Fi receives all the patches and updates it needs.

“The firmware in your Hub monitors the security for your network, so it’s good to reboot your router once a month to make sure it’s running with all the security patches and updates it needs.”

Just remember that the reboot can take up to 10 minutes so make sure nobody needs the web before starting the process.

The Pixel 9a was released this month, the latest mid-range Android smartphone from Google. I awarded it a handsome four-and-a-half stars in our review, and right now you can pick up the phone on a very affordable contract – and get a Fitbit activity tracker absolutely free of charge.

Mobiles.co.uk is offering the 128GB Google Pixel 9a for just £19.99 per month with a one-off £9 upfront payment. This gets you 500GB of monthly data, which is more than enough for anyone even if you’re streaming video over 5G. You also get unlimited calls and texts.

This plan is on the iD Mobile network, which is owned by Currys, who also owns Mobiles.co.uk. It uses mobile network Three’s national 4G and 5G network to keep you connected.

The overall cost of this 24 month contract is £506.76, a remarkable price considering the Pixel 9a retails for £499 when you buy it outright without a mobile plan. For less than a tenner more, you’re getting two years of 500GB monthly data with roaming included to 50 destinations, plus, of course, a free Fitbit Charge 6.

View the Google Pixel 9a with free Fitbit Charge 6 deal here

The Charge 6 is the newest Fitbit, released in 2023, and it’s one of the best ever made. I reviewed it when it came out and called it “the best fitness tracker”, and I stand by that. It’s more fully featured than you would expect a slim tracker to be, and includes built-in GPS to track runs without your phone.

It can also track a ton of other activities and sports, and the battery can last up to about six days. Comfortable enough to wear in bed, it can also track your sleep, with all your daily metrics reported back to you in the Fitbit app. Connected to the Pixel 9a, it’s a great pairing.

This offer is running until May 6, 2025, so you have plenty of time to claim the Fitbit after you’ve purchased the phone. You have to head to this website to redeem the offer, which you can do from 14 days after purchase.

Buying the Pixel 9a also currently enters you into a draw to win a Google Pixel Watch 2. You’ve got to be in it to win it, and you never know.

It’s not often you get something for nothing but that’s exactly what Sky is dishing out right now. Over the Easter break, the telly firm says you can get access to ‘hidden’ films and shows that might help the family stay entertained. If that sounds enticing, all you need to do is grab your remote control, tap the voice button and say these three words – “Easter Egg Hunt”.

This will then launch a dedicated Easter page where bonus content can be found and viewed. Some of the things already on offer include Isadora Moon, Knuckles and the Transformers One movie. More treats will be released every day, so it’s worth checking back to see what’s been added.

This treat is available across the whole range of Sky devices such as Sky Q, Sky Stream and Sky Glass televisions.

“To add to the Easter excitement, this year Sky is shaking things up with an Easter Egg Hunt for Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream users. From 14 April, discover a new Easter treat on your homepage each day and solve clues to track down hidden films and shows! Just say “Easter Egg Hunt” into your remote to join the hunt today,” Sky confirmed in a message sent to Express.co.uk.

As Sky confirmed, this blockbuster Easter offer is running from now until April 27. There’s even a bonus quiz with Sky saying that those who solve the three clues in the second rail on the screen will also unlock three mystery titles.

Sky customers aren’t the only ones getting a free content boost.

Freely – the free to watch TV service from the team at Freeview – has just announced a huge boost for viewers who don’t want an aerial with 16 new streamed channels coming to the platform “later this year”.

These include two ITV channels, The Chase and Saturday Night Every Night, plus three from Channel 4, which are 4Reality, 4Homes and 4 Life.

Meanwhile, Channel 5 will provide 11 new live channels to stream: 5 GPs Behind Closed Doors, 5 Bargain Loving Brits, 5 The Yorkshire Vet, 5 History, 5 Crime, Milkshake!, 5 Police Interceptors, 5 Cops, 5 Trucking Hell, 5 A&E and 5 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.

“We’re excited to bolster Freely’s offering with eleven new live channels, including five that will be exclusive to the platform and 5,” said 5’s VP Distribution Kiaran Saunders.