All USB-to-Ethernet adapters are pretty evil in my experience. Always terrible performance, often slower than WiFi.
replies(6):
(A) replace your WiFi adapter - download drivers from internet
(B) configure a router or other equipment (hard to configure WiFi without WiFi).
(C) stand up your Linux install on your laptop (easiest way to futz around until you get WiFi adapter working - but check chipset on adapter is compatible which the cheapest usually are)
You don't usually care about the performance. Just keep a cheap one in your box of shit - I need mine often enough. If you need high performance, then buy a high performance adapter.
In my case A) and B) are irrelevant because I only really own or deal with laptops now days, and they invariably have built in WiFi, but usually not built-in Ethernet!