diff --git a/usr/bin/UPDATE_FIRMWARE b/usr/bin/UPDATE_FIRMWARE
index c1d57ee..2f7de18 100755
--- a/usr/bin/UPDATE_FIRMWARE
+++ b/usr/bin/UPDATE_FIRMWARE
@@ -101,6 +101,11 @@ check_for_internet() {
         echo "You must have an internet connection to check for updates."
         exit 0
     fi
+
+    if ! ping -q -c 1 -W 1 google.com &>/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        echo "You must have an internet connection with working DNS to check for updates."
+        exit 0
+    fi
 }
 
 check_for_upgrade() {
@@ -126,17 +131,31 @@ check_for_upgrade() {
         echo ""
         echo "Please do not power off the device!"
         curl -sL https://downloads.hak5.org/api/devices/sharkjack/firmwares/$remote_version-stable -o "/tmp/upgrade-$remote_version.bin"
-        execute_upgrade
+        status=$?
+        if [ $status -eq 0 ]; then
+            execute_upgrade
+        else
+            echo "failed to fetch upgrade file"
+            exit 1
+        fi
     else
         echo "Your device is up-to-date."
         exit 0
     fi
 }
 
+update_time() {
+    echo "Ensuring system time is correct"
+
+    ntpd -q -p 1.openwrt.pool.ntp.org
+}
+
 main() {
     echo "Checking internet connection"
     check_for_internet
 
+    update_time
+
     check_for_upgrade
 }
 
diff --git a/usr/bin/UPDATE_PAYLOADS b/usr/bin/UPDATE_PAYLOADS
index a8284a3..fde5c89 100755
--- a/usr/bin/UPDATE_PAYLOADS
+++ b/usr/bin/UPDATE_PAYLOADS
@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@ check_for_internet() {
         echo "You must have an internet connection to sync the payload libraries."
         exit 0
     fi
+
+    if ! ping -q -c 1 -W 1 google.com &>/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        echo "You must have an internet connection with working DNS to check for updates."
+        exit 0
+    fi
 }
 
 cleanup_tmp() {
@@ -19,19 +24,32 @@ update_payloads() {
 
     echo "Downloading payloads repository..."
     curl -sL $MASTER_URL -o /tmp/payloads-sync.tar.gz
+    status=$?
+    if [ $status -eq 0 ]; then
+        mkdir /tmp/payloads-sync
+        tar -xzf /tmp/payloads-sync.tar.gz -C /tmp/payloads-sync
 
-    mkdir /tmp/payloads-sync
-    tar -xzf /tmp/payloads-sync.tar.gz -C /tmp/payloads-sync
+        cp -r /tmp/payloads-sync/sharkjack-payloads-master/payloads/library /root/payload/
 
-    cp -r /tmp/payloads-sync/sharkjack-payloads-master/payloads/library /root/payload/
+        cleanup_tmp
 
-    cleanup_tmp
+        echo "Successfully syncronized payloads repository."
+    else
+        echo "failed to fetch payloads"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+}
 
-    echo "Successfully syncronized payloads repository."
+update_time() {
+    echo "Ensuring system time is correct"
+
+    ntpd -q -p 1.openwrt.pool.ntp.org
 }
 
+
 main() {
     check_for_internet
+    update_time
     update_payloads
 }