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Wireless

Wireless Fidelity Expands Its Broadcast

Every day, technology advancements are changing the way we live our lives.

From the way we communicate with family, friends and co-workers to the way we shop, provide healthcare, and even land that dream job.

Now, thanks to advancements in the standard known as “WiFi” or wireless fidelity, we can now add the way we watch television to that list.

A recent study shows that by the end of 2011, more than 20 million television sets equipped with WiFi connectivity will have been shipped worldwide to mainly North America, Western Europe, and a handful of selected Asian countries.

So you might ask yourself, “What is WiFi equipped television?” To better understand this new rising technology, we need to take a look at what WiFi is.

WiFi, which stands for wireless fidelity, is a communications standard that allows WiFi enabled devices such as laptop computers, MP3 players, smart phones, and soon televisions to connect to an access point (a wireless router or hotspot) which then connects your device to the Internet.

From there, the possibilities are almost endless as to what you can access.

TV industry producers now understand the power of this technology. They are also realizing how many people would love to be able to stream their favorite media websites such as YouTube, Metcalfe, CNN, Facebook, and MySpace directly to their television sets.

One of the big trends this year has been the rise of Netflix, (which seems to be why we’ve seen the fall of Blockbuster and any other video/media rental business).

Why would you ever leave your home if you could simply connect to a site like Netflix, or any of the other super popular media sites, and browse their thousands of movie titles right from the comfort of your own home, without having to leave the couch? You probably wouldn’t.

This is why giants like Sony, Samsung, and Toshiba are working closely with technology gurus to make what could be the next big thing in television. As of right now, the people who already have this technology in their homes are pretty limited to what content they can stream to their sets.

However, as this begins to boom in the marketplace, the evolution of full web browsing on your TV is something I’m sure we can look forward to seeing in the future.

Best Steps To Secure Your Wireless Network

Do you have a wireless router or wireless access point (WAP) set up in your home or business? If so, is it secured and locked down from hackers and snooping eyes?

There are three basic steps you can take to secure your wireless network.  I recommend performing all of them.

By default, most routers have no security set up right out of the box. This means that your neighbors or anyone close enough to pick up your wireless signal can connect to your wireless network without you knowing it.

They can freely browse the web and without the proper security in place, your router and any network device connected to it (computer, cell phone, etc.) becomes visible to anyone that can see your wireless signal.

From that point on, it is  easy for a hacker to connect to your computer and see your files or steal and delete your data. If you’re not comfortable making changes to your network, then have a trusted IT company such as Technology Experts to make those changes for you.

If you are computer savvy then follow these three basic steps to make your network more secure.

Change Your SSID
Your SSID (Service Set Identifier, which is simply the name of your wireless network) is what you connect to for Internet access.

You want to change the SSID from open security to “WPA2.” This is the most secure setting currently available on most routers. You’ll also need to assign a security key commonly called a pass phrase.

Do not use something common such as your name, child’s name, or any other name that is associated with you. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and characters.

Don’t Broadcast Your SSID
Who needs to know the name of your wireless network? No one other than you. Not your neighbor next door or that guy driving down the road trying to connect to a non-secured network.

There is a setting in your router to disable the broadcast of your SSID.  Again, if you are unsure, then have a trusted IT company perform these changes.

Change Your Router’s Login Password
The last thing to do is  change your router’s management interface username and password.

All routers come with a default user name and password that is easily available on-line for anyone to find.

If you don’t change it, a hacker who gained access to your wireless network (or someone you allowed access), can simply log into your router and play havoc with your network. Be sure to change the password.

Following these three basic steps will make your wireless network much more secure from hackers and from intruders accessing your internet connection.

While a very skillful hacker can still get around even this security, they won’t bother trying.

There are too many unsecured networks out there, so hackers would not waste their time trying to break a network that is configured securely.

Remember, if you need assistance or would like a great IT company to perform these changes, give Tech Experts a call at (734) 457-5000.

Tired Of Being Tied Down? It’s Time To Lose The Wires!

Security Tips For Your New Wireless Network

With the decline in the cost of wireless equipment and “point and click” configuration ability most newer equipment offers, more and more people are setting up wireless networks in their homes and businesses.

One key configuration that is often missed, though, is security of the wireless network.

Is the wireless connection you’re using secure, is your data in jeopardy, and is your identity safe?

You might be asking yourself “How do I secure my network, and what does it mean so say a wireless network is unsecure?”

If a network is classified as unsecure, it means that the network can be accessed without the need for a key, or password. You’ll find unsecure networks in a lot of public places, such as coffee shops and airports.

The problem is that once a  user is connected to an unsecure network, it is possible they could access network resources such as files, folders, printers, etc. that are shared on your computer – many times, without you even knowing.

As you know, this could be a world of trouble if your confidential data is obtained by an unknown user.

A number of things can be done to ensure your wireless network is safe, network resources are protected, and your data is securely stored on your system.

Firewall
Software or hardware devices can be implemented, and are one of the first lines of defense, to prevent unauthorized access of your wireless network. Most wireless routers include basic firewall protection – it just has to be turned on when the unit is configured.

SSID
The SSID is the name of your network. Most routers come with a default SSID, which, if left that way, is a sign of a poorly configured network. This makes you an easy targets for hackers.

Password Changes
By default, wireless routers have a standard username and password that can be easily looked up on the web.

You should definitely set up your own username and password to access your wireless device’s setup screens, so hackers or unwanted Internet users can’t go into the settings on your router and make changes to your security settings.

Be sure to follow standard password security when coming up with the password for your wireless router – you don’t want hackers to be able to easily guess your password, and access your setup screens.

Signal Strength
Most routers allow you to set the signal strength of the network broadcast. Turning the signal down on your router lowers the  chances of outsiders being in range of your wireless network.

Enable Encryption
This is one of the most important steps to securing your wireless network- require a key or network password in order to connect to the wireless network.

There are several types of encryption, the most common being WEP, WAP, and WAP2. Each provides a different level and method of network security. Any form of encryption is better than having an open wireless network.

Securing your wireless network plays a key role in the protection of your data, network resources, and overall privacy when you’re using a home or work network. It’s a quick and easy process, requiring just a few changes to the default setup. The peace of mind and convenience of wireless networking are worth the extra few steps.

Tips To Improve Your Wireless Signal Strength

If Windows notifies you about a weak signal, it probably means your connection isn’t as fast or as reliable as it could be. If you’re looking to improve the signal for your wireless network, try some of these tips.

Position your wireless router in a central location
When possible, place your wireless router in a central location in your office. If your router is against an outside wall, the signal will be weak on the other side of your office.

Move the router away from walls and metal objects
Metal, walls, and floors will interfere with your router’s wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.

Replace your router’s antenna
The antennas that came with your router are omni-directional, meaning they broadcast in all directions. If the router is near an outside wall, half of the wireless signals will be sent outside the building, and much of your router’s power will be wasted. Upgrade to a hi-gain antenna that focuses the wireless signals only one direction. You can aim the signal in the direction you need it most.

Add a wireless repeater
Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you’ll get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. Check out the wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and Buffalo Technology.

Increase Your Wireless Network Signal Strength

If you’ve installed a wireless network at your home or business, you may find your goal of “less desk, more freedom” is hampered by low signal strength, interference, and dropped connections.

You may also discover that your wireless network covers only half of your business, or that the signal barely seems to penetrate into the next room.

Insufficient range is a common problem for many wireless networks, but there are ways to extend your coverage area into the places you need it most.

1. Center your router. Setting up a wireless network is all about location. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know exactly what your coverage area will be before you install the equipment.

If possible, place your wireless router in the center of the area you wish to cover. The omnidirectional antennas on most routers radiate in a doughnut-shaped pattern around the pole. If your router is located in a corner of your office building, much of that radiation pattern will fall outside your home. Also, consider mounting your router high on a wall or ceiling far away from furniture and shelving that can impede or block Wi-Fi signals.

2. Add antennas or repeaters. You can use a wireless repeater to extend your range. Repeaters receive data packets and retransmit them at full power. Repeaters can also be difficult to install, especially if you’re new to networking. Keep in mind that repeaters tend to rely on proprietary solutions that are vendor specific and work only when you use the same brand of router and repeater.

Still, a repeater can significantly increase the range of your wireless network and is well worth considering if you want to add a few rooms to your coverage area.