PCTips Box

There is no way to guarantee complete security on a wireless network. However, there are precautions you can take to help minimize security risks when you use a wireless network.

• Whenever possible, only connect to wireless networks that require a network security key or have some other form of security, such as a certificate. The information sent over these networks is encrypted, which can help protect your computer from unauthorized access. When you view available wireless networks in Connect to a Network, you’ll see text indicating if a wireless network has security enabled or not. (more…)

Wireless hotspots are changing the way people work. These wireless local area networks (LANs) provide high speed Internet access in public locations as well as at home and require nothing more than a notebook PC with a wireless card. From coffeeshops to restaurants, airports to hotel lobbies, hotspots are ubiquitous. They are the de facto connection method for travelers and remote workers to access the Internet, their e-mail, and even their corporate networks.

Hotspots range from paid services, such as T-Mobile or Boingo, to free connections at your local coffee shop or library. But they all have one thing in common: These are all open networks that are vulnerable to security breaches. And that means it’s up to you to protect the data on your PC. Here are a few tips to make working in public locations more secure. (more…)

Why upgrade? Chances are you have bought something online with a credit card, used internet banking, or dealt with confidential information on your computer. If you use a wireless router with anything less than WPA2 encryption, your information may not be as secure as you think.

“WPA2 security is definitely worth the modest amount of effort required to set it up. The original WPA security standard can be cracked with relative ease unless you use a passphrase that is longer than 20 characters and is not merely composed of words that can be found in a dictionary.” [Quote from the PC World article: Wireless Tips: Your Wireless Network Needs a Security Update]

1. Check current devices for compatibility. Your router and wireless network card may already support WPA2; Google your devices and find out. If they do, download the latest drivers for your wireless network card and update the firmware on your wireless router (very easy to do, but follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully). (more…)

The first thing that you will have to make a decision on while planning out your home network is will your network will be wired or wireless. The notion in each case will stay put the same where in all your computers will join up to a central router, which will talk the connections to your ISP from side to side a cable or a DSL modem.

It is a frequent fact the wireless home network provides much more expediency than wired networks. They do not necessitate cabling and permit users to move from one room to another with freedom. But wired networks are more secure and dependable and if you can use again the existing phone lines or the electrical wiring, then the cost of installing new cables are reduced radically. (more…)

The following guide allows you to wirelessly sync an iPhone with Amarok in Ubuntu 7.10, including adding, editing and playing songs and playlists.

Note :- it requires a jailbroken iPhone.

Step1 :- Set up the iPhone

On your iPhone:

Click Settings → General and set Auto-lock to Never. This will ensure the iPhone keeps the WiFi connection open.

Click Settings → WiFi and select your WiFi network. Click the Static button and change the IP Address to something outside the dynamically assigned range of your network. For example, if your wireless router normally assigns 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.5, try 192.168.1.10. This will ensure your iPhone is always contactable at the same address for syncing. (more…)

Updates and service packs do not serve as exclusive methods of adding functionality to Microsoft’s operating system. In this regard, feature packs are designed to enhance a Windows platform with various components and features on top of the standard releases that are part of a product’s lifecycle. Case in point: Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless made available as of April 16. This is Microsoft’s way of delivering added functionality to Windows Vista on top of the recently released Service Pack 1.

“This software update includes the following components or features that improve wireless support in Windows Vista: Bluetooth version 2.1 support, Unified Pairing user interface, Windows Connect Now updates. Some of these features may work with existing hardware. However, you must have new hardware to take advantage of the new functionality,” Microsoft revealed. (more…)

How safe is your wireless network? If the answer is you don’t know, then you really should head over to the Pure Networks website and carry out their free Network Security Scan. Of course it’s a prelude to selling your something, in this case an application called Network Magic, and there’s a link to a free trial, but there’s no obligation and it really is worth the visit for the free security scan, which raised a couple of issues on my system, which I thought was pretty tight.

Network Magic provides easy-to-use wireless network security. No messing with confusing router administrative screens  just a few clicks and your wireless Internet is locked down.

PLUS - With the award-winning Network Magic software you can: (more…)

Adding a computer to your wireless network without using a network key is easy. However, you must know that doing so will allow anyone in your neighborhood to access your WiFi, which can make you vulnerable to hackers.

Step 1:
Log in to your hub computer as the administrator.

Step 2:
Open your Wireless Advisor. This is the program that you downloaded when you connected your hub computer to the wireless router.

Step 3:
In the Wireless Advisor window click on the “Actions” tab. (more…)

By default Windows hides WEP and WPA keys stored on your PC to connect to various Wi-Fi networks, but freeware utility WirelessKeyView lists them for you. When you’ve forgotten that Wi-Fi network key, run WirelessKeyView to see all the networks your Windows PC has ever connected to using its default Wireless Zero Configuration mechanism. This utility doesn’t reveal keys stored by third-party network connection software. Delete keys from old networks that you no longer need, and easily copy keys to the clipboard to send or save. WirelessKeyView is a free download for Windows XP and Vista. (more…)

Until recently the old computers could only be wired to the Internet. Wires are not only messy but also limit the placement of your computer in the house. But now there is a way of connecting your old computers (even Pentium II) to a wireless network, just like any other brand new devise with a built in WiFi.

Things You’ll Need: Internet connection, Modem, Computer to be connected, Wireless router, Wireless USB adapter (cCompatible with the operating system of your computer)

Step 1:
Remove all the old Internet connections from your computer, including the telephone line and cables. (more…)