Tips: WiFi Security for Home Networks

Security is a huge concern for anyone setting up a WiFi network, as anyone who is close enough to the hotspot can break into your system and access the information. Therefore it is important that suitable security measures are adopted along with setting up a WiFi network, whether at home or workplace.

Here are a few tips that can help you establish reasonably good security measures for your home or small office WiFi network, with a standard wireless router and one or more roaming access points. 

Change the router’s default name and password

 

This is the most fundamental step, as intruders can easily find out the default name and password of the manufacturer. In fact most of the manufacturers stick to the IP addresses 192.168.1.1 or 192.16.2.1. Therefore ensure to rename the router and have a strong password to access the router configuration software. You may even consider changing the IP addressing. 

Disable Peer-to-Peer Networks

 

Go for the infrastructure mode on all access points and do not allow the ad-hoc mode that would permit intruders to enter your network through a legitimate user of your network. 

Do not broadcast your router’s network ID

 

In technical terms, this is called disabling SSID (Service Set Identifier) broadcast. A wireless hotspot access point will regularly – as often as ten times per second- broadcast a beacon signal that announces its presence. It is possible to find information such as strength of the signal, the access point’s functional capabilities and the SSID from the beacon. Therefore it is advisable for any private WiFi hotspot to disable this beacon. This way, only those who already know the SSID can connect with the hotspot.

This method is not completely foolproof, as it is still possible for seasoned hackers to detect such closed networks. However this way you will at least be doing what best you can do. 

Identify and approve all your authorized users in advance

 

This is made possible by turning on the Media Access Control (MAC) addressing filter in your router. This is a standard procedure with most WiFi gateways. Each connectible device (laptops, PDAs, computers, Wi-Fi cards etc) has a unique MAC address. By pre-defining which MAC addresses can access your network, you can prevent intruders from connecting with your resources.

This again is not foolproof, as it is still possible for hackers to intercept the wireless data packets as they travel from your network to an authorized user. And with these data packets, the hacker also gets the SSID and the MAC address of the authorized user. The hacker can then easily use this MAC address to help his system look like an accepted user. 

Use wireless data encryption

Use either WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) encryption. It has been found that WEP is relatively easy to crack however some protection is still better than none at all. WPA and its more recent version WPA2 are safer bets, as they require all the devices including the source as well as the clients be set to its code.

Regardless of which encryption you use, it is more important to change your encryption as often as possible. 

Check router logs regularly for unauthorized users 

Wi-Fi gateways usually show the MAC addresses of current users on a status screen. Many gateways can also keep a log of the users. Scout around regularly for anything that looks suspicious, like an unauthorized user staying connected for long- and not connected because he happens to pass by. Change the encryption if you spot anything that maybe suspicious.

You can also install a packet sniffer like Ethereal that not only shows if unauthorized users are accessing your information but also shows what information they are getting. 

Set up a strong firewall

 

The steps we discussed so far can only prevent a wireless user from accessing the information in your network. In other words, WEP and WPA encryption protect only data in the air. They do not take care of a hacker breaking into your hotspot from the wired end.

Standard home networking routers have built-in firewalls and they usually monitor incoming traffic. Typically, they block all incoming ports. There are also Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewalls that can report attacks, intrusions and all suspicious activities.

The standard firewalls can take care of your requirements in most cases. However if you are part of peer-to-peer file sharing networks, you need to take special precautions. TCP ports 135, 137, 138, 139 and 445 are best blocked from external access. You would also do well to disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP. Personal firewalls are also worth considering. 

Use passwords for your computers and files

This aspect is typically ignored in home networks, but can easily add more security. You may choose to password to your computer or special files or areas. It makes sense to choose passwords that are not easy to guess.

Make sure to preserve sensitive or confidential files in folders that are set to authorized access. All the new operating systems like Windows 2000, Windows XP and Mac OS X have built-in password capability. 

Segment the wired and wireless networks

 

Designate your wireless access points as separate subnets with firewalls in between them and the main network. Also make sure that your community names are not easy to guess, as these get broadcasted with network management tools like SNMP.

Switch off your connectible devices when you are not using them

The logic is simple. No one can access your laptop or computer when it is switched off. If you have multiple users to your network, you may need to leave the wired connection on even when you are not using them. But you can still switch off your own PC or laptop. 

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Google Unveils Android Lollipop

On Oct. 15, a 10-foot-tall statue of a lollipop joined sculptures of an ice cream sandwich, a chocolate doughnut, and other confections on Google’s (GOOG) campus in Mountain View, Calif. This was how news came of the latest major update to Android, the operating system that runs on 85 percent of the world’s smartphones: not with a hyped press conference or long lines outside gadget stores, but with the installation of an oversize lawn ornament. 

Lollipop is the 13th major version of Android. But it’s the first to be fully developed under Sundar Pichai, the Google senior vice president and confidant of Chief Executive Officer Larry Page who took over the OS operation last year. Along with Lollipop, Pichai introduced three Google-designed devices, including the supersize Nexus 6 smartphone, manufactured by Motorola with a gigantic 6-inch screen, half an inch bigger than the one on the iPhone 6 Plus. Pichai hopes the phone will be the first of a series of new Lollipop-powered computers in living rooms, cars, and just about everywhere else. “We aren’t only trying to ship two [products],” he says, obliquely referring to rival Apple’s (AAPL) well-received pair of new iPhones. “We are trying to enable thousands.”

Lollipop has arrived at an unusually important moment in Google’s attempt to control the next generation of computing devices. Samsung (005930:KS), Google’s largest partner, warned on Oct. 6 that it expects to miss its quarterly sales targets because of price cuts on its phones. In Europe, regulators are examining whether Google violates antitrust law by forcing manufacturers that use Android to preinstall its apps, which Google denies. Meanwhile, Apple has gotten rave reviews for iOS 8 as well as for its hot-selling iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. On Oct. 16, Apple will convene the media to ooh and aah over new iPads. With the new version of Android, Google “has to overcome concerns that there is not parity between Android’s ecosystem and iOS,” says James McQuivey, an analyst at Forrester Research.

Lollipop is Google’s answer to the ominous rumblings in Android land. It’s a svelte OS, capable of running on 512 megabytes of memory, which means that even the cheap phones spreading through China and India can pack in Android’s latest features. (Older versions used considerably more memory.) Lollipop’s look, called “material design,” uses moving icons and shifting font sizes in an effort to more clearly organize information onscreen. It also attempts for the first time to standardize and connect the interfaces of a user’s various Android devices, including a new set-top box that plays Web video on a TV.

Motorola’s Nexus 6 smartphone has a sleek, curved aluminum back and a crisp screen. The company says it can run for hours after charging for just 15 minutes. The phone will go on sale (subsidized) at all major U.S. carriers by the end of the year, when an unlocked version will sell online (fully priced) for $649. Pichai studiously avoids using the word “phablet” but says the Nexus 6 screen was a response to consumer demand. Large-screen phones now make up 25 percent of Android devices, up from 1 percent three years ago, according to researcher Strategy Analytics. It’s unclear whether customers who now have a supersize option from Apple will still flock to an Android version.

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VoIP : Voice Over Internet Protocol Technology

                             

VoIP or voice over internet Protocol is that technology which makes it possible to make phone calls through the internet. This technology is given many common names as internet phone service or digital phone service or broadband phone service.

Traditional landlines use the Public Switched telephone network, which involves high company fees to that is why they are expensive. However while making VoIP calls no such fees is involved because the calls are made through a broadband connection which routes the calls over the World Wide Web. This is the primary reason that such calls are very cheap.

There could be misconceptions that through VoIP you can make calls only on internet phones, this is not the case you can make calls on any phone service using internet phones. This makes it very flexible and a very economic option.

Two types of internet phone services that are very popular these days are software VoIp and hardware VoIp. Both of these programs use the internet to make phone calls but the hardware program uses a small adapter kind of device to process calls, whereas the software VoIp program uses the computer and special software for the calling process.

Although both of these services are economical solutions as compared to landlines but both are suited to serve specific needs. Ahead are explained both the techniques and their suitability for various circumstances.

Software Based Program-

This program works through your computer so utilize this you need to have a Pc and sound card, speakers and a microphone at all times. So, this type of service is best for occasional use or while traveling. To get the best results from this service it is recommended that you use headset with microphone. Or you could make use of USB or Internet phones that are special kinds of phone designed for this purpose.

Once the internet connection is established then you need to use the special software based VoIp program for making and receiving calls. Although, this service can be used on a dial up connection too, but it is better to have a broadband connection. Another benefit that can be availed in this service is that majority of the VoIp software based programs allow you to download their programs for free and set up a free account.

Mostly people use this service for making long distance international calls as they can be made at very cheap rates. The incoming on these lines is free and you are charged only when you make calls outside. There are many programs to choose form, Net2phone, Webphone etc.

Hardware Based Program –

This service is more user friendly as the requirement of computer is not there, normal phone instruments can be used to make these calls. This service is more economical for home and work places and is being widely used as a substitute for the traditional landlines. When referring to Internet phone service or Digital Phone Service then people are referring to the Hardware based VoIp program.

Whichever company you take your subscription from will provide you a small device that is an adaptor which on the one end connects to the internet and on the other connects to the phone. This adapter routes and connects all calls to and from the internet.

There are a variety of programs to chose from ranging form the limited period plans for 200- 500 minutes for local and long distance to unlimited plans which cost from $18- $30 which users find more economical. There is a variety of service providers in the hardware VoIp programs like Vonage, Packet8, AT&T Callvantage etc.

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Will WiMAX Replace DSL?

Introduction 

There has been a lot of hype about WiMAX as the next generation technology that will wipe out wired internet connectivity. The contention is that, it is far easier and more cost effective to set up transmission towers than continuously extend the cables for last mile connectivity. However there are a good number of people who are more conservative in their evaluation. The skeptics question the commercial viability of the new technology and cite earlier instances of wireless internet technologies failing to make it at the market.

The Facts about WiMAX 

WiMAX is the acronym for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access.It is a set ofstandards that enables high speed wireless internet access possible over relatively large areas (up to 50 km radius from the source). WiMAX can provide up to 1Mbps downstream capacity.

Attempts have been going on since 1999 to develop technologies that offer broadband services through wireless transmission. Most of these technologies failed to capture the mass market because of the high costs of equipment. This is where WiMAX can make a difference.

In the first place, technical advances have made non-line-of-sight propagation possible, thus increasing the range of transmission. The IEEE 802.16-2004 standards ensure low interference transmission over a relatively large area. This means that a single transmission tower can service up to 60 businesses at the speed of a T1 line, or hundreds of homes at DSL speeds.

Secondly, the WiMAX Forum has been formed to work out interoperability of IEEE802.16 implementations. The Forum will create implementation profiles and certification programs. This ensures that the technology is launched in an organized manner.

Last but not the least WiMAX has the full backing of Intel. Intel and Proxim are developing components that are WiMAX compatible.

What This Means 

All of these have implications for the commercial viability of WiMAX. Currently providing last mile connectivity is the most expensive element to the service provider in terms of material, manpower and time. Setting up transmission powers can prove to be a more inexpensive, one-time investment. Providing connection to an entire high-rise or community can now be achieved in a matter of one or two business days. The service provider is subsequently able to reduce the bill to the end user.

The backing of Intel is another significant factor. Mass manufacture of WiMAX compatible chips will bring down the cost of receptor equipment, another advantage for the consumer.

Stumbling Blocks 

So far is technology. WiMAX looks like an excellent option in countries and regions where wired broadband is not yet commonly available, or difficult to establish due to geographical challenges. However the IEEE 802.16 (fixed point-to-point) may not penetrate markets where wired connectivity is ubiquitous. It is the IEEE 802.16e (for mobile wireless access) that these regions are likely to embrace.

There has been a lot of excitement about the possibility of bringing diverse services as telephony, video and data under one umbrella with WiMAX. The possibility also has commercial challenges that need to be tackled. It calls for better streamlining of back office operations of the players involved. Service providers will have to work together to develop single-point billing solutions to the consumer as well as efficient mutual settlement systems.

The Overall Picture 

Economies of scale is what will make all the difference. Cheap availability of WiMAX enabled equipment and low operating costs to the incumbent operators paint a very attractive picture. However the old commercial systems are not equipped to handle the billing and settlement challenges that WiMAX poses. This has to change. That achieved, WiMAX can grow as a powerful supplementary system to the existing DSL structure and eventually replace it.

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What is WiMAX?

 

Introduction

What is WiMAX? Simply put WiMAX is, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, a technology standard that enables high speed wireless internet. In other words, WiMAX combines the high speed of a broadband connection with the convenience of mobile internet connectivity. WiMAX provides wireless broadband access up to a radius of 50 kilometers (30 miles) for fixed receivers and 5-15 kilometers (3-10 miles) for mobile receivers.

How does WiMAX work?

 

WiMAX needs setting up of a tower to establish microwave connections with the users. This operates in the same way as a cell phone tower. In the case of WiMAX, the tower is connected to internet through a high speed cable like a T3 line. The difference from broadband is that here the bandwidth does not have to be divided using wires.

WiMAX is in a way an advanced version of WiFi, a similar technology. Whereas WiFi allows a network within a radius of 30-100 meters (100-300 feet), WiMAX connectivity can be extended over a radius of up to 50 kilometers. This high speed data transfer over a much larger area is made possible by lessening interference using the IEEE 802.16 Air Interface Standard. Currently WiMAX operates on both licensed and non-licensed frequencies.

Advantage and Applications.

 

As it is possible to use WiMAX over longer distances, this technology may come in handy in creating city wide networks. It is also better suited than WiFi for large area public places like airports, college and university campuses and large office set ups. It also provides for greater mobility to users. This way WiMAX may be a good option for people on the move using gadgets like laptops, iPods and PDAs.

As WiMAX follows a point-to-multipoint architecture, it is an ideal solution for delivering broadband to places where it would not be viable to establish wired connections. Rural areas and high rises are examples for this situation. Currently this last mile part of the connectivity is the biggest stumbling block to broadband providers, in terms of cost and manpower requirements. WiMAX can bring down the costs and subsequently make internet connectivity cheaper to the end user.

Another advantage over some other wireless technologies is that WiMAX does not need a direct line of sight between the source and the receptor. It also has a comparatively high shared data rate at 70Mbps, which is good enough to reach about a thousand homes.

WiMAX is also an excellent saver of time. As it does not need cables to connect with the receptors, it is possible to establish connection to an entire campus or even city in a matter of a few days.

WiMAX also allows for greater convergence of diverse applications such as fixed and mobile telephony, apart from entertainment sectors like television.

Challenges

 

That said, WiMAX need not come to eliminate wired connectivity altogether. In areas where wired broadband is already established, DSL still reigns supreme. Thus it is more likely that WiMAX will develop as a complementary to wired connectivity.

Secondly, the real potential of WiMAX is in the possibility of bringing diverse services such as telephony, mobile television and broadband internet under its umbrella. This requires that players from these different fields work together to provide single point service to the end user. Consumer billing and mutual settlement systems have to be extremely efficient to handle these requirements.

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What is Cloud Hosting?

In recent years Cloud Hosting is in demand due to many features it offers. Features of Cloud Hosting include low cost of ownership, cost effectiveness, fast provisioning and easy backups of data.

These many companies are offering Cloud Hosting services which include many features such as Pay on hourly or fixed cost basis, easy addition/removal of resources in your hosting account. It supports almost all the operating systems and softwares. You can install windows, Centos, Redhat Linux, Windows XP etc... on your account. The technical team of Cloud Hosting companies will provide you round the clock technical support.

What is Cloud Hosting?

The Cloud Hosting is a type of web hosting where your server (Virutal server) is provisioned and runs on the Cloud Computing environment. In this type of hosting you can scale-up and scale-down your server instantly. It provides all the features of a dedicated server plus the feature of scaling-up and scaling-down easily. For example you have started with a small website and when your customer base increases; you can easily add more computing resources to your server to handle more users.

Here you don't have to buy or rent a complete dedicated server, you just have to rent the required resources from the cloud computing environment. You can scale your server at any time.

Here the benefits of Cloud Hosting:

• Fast provisioning
• Almost all the operating systems are supported
• Easy scaling up of the server resources
• Easy scaling down of the server resources
• Pay only for what you use
• In case of hardware failure, your Hosting environment will continue to run as it is the responsibility of Cloud computing to use another server without any downtime.
• The cloud computing technology is highly scalable

Disadvantages of Cloud Hosting:

The Security is the major concern in the Cloud Hosting environment. You will never know the physical location of your data in Cloud Computing environment.

Future of Cloud Hosting:

The future of Cloud Hosting is bright. People are using Cloud Hosting to host their websites and web applications. The Cloud Hosting is cheaper and can be provisioned quickly.

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How Vehicle Tracking Works?

Vehicle Security is a primary concern for all vehicle owners. Owners as well as researchers are always on the look out for new and improved security systems for their vehicles. One has to be thankful for the upcoming technologies, like GPS systems, which enables the owner to closely monitor and track his vehicle in real-time and also check the history of vehicle's movements. 

This new technology, popularly called vehicle Tracking Systems has done wonders in maintaining the security of the vehicle.

Vehicle Tracking System is one of the biggest technological advancements to track the activities of the vehicle. The security system uses Global Positioning System GPS, to find the location of the monitored or tracked vehicle and then uses satellite or radio systems to send to send the coordinates and the location data to the monitoring center. At monitoring center various softwares are used to plot the Vehicle on a map. In this way the Vehicle owners are able to track their vehicle on a real-time basis. Due to real-time tracking facility, vehicle tracking systems are becoming increasingly popular among owners of expensive vehicles.

The vehicle tracking hardware is fitted on to the vehicle. It is fitted in such a manner that it is not visible to anyone who is outside the vehicle. Thus it operates as a covert unit which continuously sends the location data to the monitoring unit.

When the vehicle is stolen, the location data sent by tracking unit can be used to find the location and coordinates can be sent to police for further action. Some Vehicle tracking System can even detect unauthorized movements of the vehicle and then alert the owner. This gives an edge over other pieces of technology for the same purpose.

Monitoring center Software helps the vehicle owner with a view of the location at which the vehicle stands. Browsing is easy and the owners can make use of any browser  and connect to the monitoring center software, to find and track his vehicle. This in turn saves a lot of effort to find the vehicle's position by replacing the manual call to the driver.

As we have seen the vehicle tracking system is an exciting piece of technology for vehicle security. It enables the owner to virtually keep an eye on his vehicle any time and from anywhere in the world.

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