Hello. I have had a 256k DSL internet connection for about 6 months now and everything was going great untill about the last month or so. When I first got the DSL, it was very fast at loading web pages and such. I used to get about 30 kb/sec (it's the fastest I can afford) for downloads and now i only get about 20. The computer account that gets used the most is mine, and it seems like it is the slowest on my account. On my other family members accounts, web pages and downloads seem at the normal speed. So finally, here's my questions.

My account has the most programs installed, gets the most use etc... does that have any effect on the internet performance?

If not, what is? How can I fix it?

I know there are cheesy downloadable tools that "BOOST YOUR INTERNET PERFORMANCE BY 10,000%!!!!"......yeah. I don't want to take a risk by downloading one of those for the sake of spyware and such.

Well, any tips on how to get the most of out my modem would be greatly appreciated.