How to Secure a Wireless Network from Hackers?

The reason we secure a wireless network is to stop people from using the services of our network who don't have permission to utilize them. It is harder to secure a wireless network from hackers as compared to a classic wired network. This is due to the fact that a wireless network can be accessed anywhere inside the range of its antenna.

In order to secure a wireless network from hackers, we should take proper steps to save ourselves against security issues. If you don't secure a wireless network from hackers, you might end up without its service. The consequence might also include the utilization of our network to attack further networks. To secure a wireless network from hackers, you should follow these simple wireless networking tips:

1. Strategic antenna placement:

The first thing you have to do is to position the access point's antenna in a place which restricts the range of its signal to go further than the required area. You should not put the antenna close to a window because glass can't obstruct its signals. Place it in a central location of the building.

Use WEP:

WEP stands for Wireless encryption protocol. It's a customary technique for encrypting traffic on a wireless network. You should never skip it as that will allow hackers to get instant access to the traffic over a wireless network.

3. Change the SSID, disable the broadcast of SSID:

SSID stands for service set identifier. It is the recognition thread utilized by the wireless access point due to which the customers are capable of starting connections. For every wireless access point arranged, select an exclusive as well as unique SSID. Also, if it's attainable, hold back the broadcast of the SSID out over the antenna. It won\t appear in the listing of offered networks, while being able to provide services as usual.

4. Disable DHCP:

By doing this, the hackers will have to decode the TCP/IP parameters, subnet mask as well as the IP address in order to hack your wireless network.

5. Disable or modify SNMP settings:

Change the private as well as public community settings of SNMP. You can also just disable it. Otherwise the hackers will be able to utilize SNMP to get significant info regarding your wireless network.

6. Utilize access lists:

For additional security of your wireless network, and if your access point support this feature, employ an access list. An access list lets us determine precisely which machinery is permitted to attach to an access point. The access points which include the access list can employ trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) now and then in order to download modernized lists to steer clear of hackers.

Installing the iOS 4.2 Software Update for iPhone

With the iOS 4.2 launch closing in, iDevice owners must be well prepared when accepting the software update. Those who rock a clean device at all times only have to worry about backups. Those who like living on the edge by hacking their units must be twice as careful when downloading the iOS 4.2 IPSW file from Cupertino.

In September, Apple offered a sneak peek of iOS 4.2, confirming that the software update would arrive in November.

The release specifically targets the iPad with key new additions like multitasking, Game Center, application folders, mail application enhancements, iAds, and more.

iOS 4.2 is believed to alleviate a number of issues experienced by iPhone 3G users, as well as problems encountered by iPod touch owners running iOS 4.

With iOS 4.2 expected to arrive any day now, iOS customers need to ensure they know the standard procedure of updating their software.

For clean devices

For those who needn’t worry about losing a jailbreak / unlock, the steps are:

1- Get the latest version of iTunes to your computer; Download iTunes for Mac (Free)
Download iTunes for Windows (Free) x86 or x64

2- Launch iTunes and connect your device to your computer;

3- Select your device in the Source List on the left, under Devices;

4- Right click (Ctrl. click) your device and select “back up”

5- Allow iTunes to detect that iOS 4.2 is available for your “supported” device. If not, hit the “Check for Update” button.

6- Allow iTunes to perform the software update for your device. Alternately….

Owners of a supported device can download the iOS 4.2 update / restore IPSW file to their computer thus postponing the update for whenever they feel ready.

Direct download links from Apple’s servers will be available via the link below when the company officially releases the software (iOS 4.1 is the latest downloadable version at the time of this writing).

Download iOS 4 for iPhone and iPod touch (Free).

When you decide to update, you can launch iTunes with the device connected, select your device in the left pane of the iTunes window, click “Restore” with ALT (option key) held down, select the downloaded iOS 4.2 IPSW firmware bundle, and click “Choose.”

The installation process will begin, with the same rules being applied – do not disconnect until the update is finished.

For jailbreakers

Those who are eagerly anticipating the iOS 4.2 software update only to have it jailbroken the instant they’ve finished downloading it should listen to what the iPhone Dev Team has to say.

In a nutshell, the group of hackers responsible for PwnageTool confirmed in a recent blog update that all current devices on all iOS firmware versions can be jailbroken.

However, jailbreakers are advised to refrain themselves from updating with a stock iOS 4.2 IPSW until Cydia and PwnageTool are updated.

A Few Of Useful FireFox Tips

1. Change the refresh for live bookmarks

Type about:config, create a new integer value browser.bookmarks.livemark_refresh_seconds and enter the number of seconds for the update interval (default:3600).

2. Change the way Firefox handles keywords typed in the address bar. If you don’t type a URL, Firefox sends you to the first result for your query.

Type about:config, write keyword.URL in the Filter, and change the value to

http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=

If your query has a clear match (like [slashdot], [stanford]), the functionality will remain. If you enter a general query (like [pizza recipes]), you’re sent to the results page.

3. Change the source editor.

Type about:config and edit these values.
view_source.editor.external – open the source with an external application (default: false, change to true)
view_source.editor.path – the path to a text editor like Notepad, Notepad2, NoteTab.

4. Hold down Ctrl when you click on “View image” in the contextual menu to open the image in a new tab. The same trick works for bookmarks, history items, home button, links and can also be done by clicking on the middle button.

5. Move bookmark folders by pressing Shift while using drag&drop.

6. Delete an item from the address bar’s history by selecting it with the arrow keys and pressing Shift+Delete.

7. If Adobe Reader crashes your browser go to tools->options->downloads->view and edit actions. Select PDF, change action and choose “Save them on my computer”. You can do the same with other file types (like MP3, WMA, MPG).

8. Type / to search in the current page and Ctrl+K to search the web (bring focus to the search box).

9. Duplicate a tab by clicking on the address bar and typing Alt+Enter.

Using the Network troubleshooter in Windows 7

Lots of people use networks, but most people don’t have the time or inclination to become networking experts. Instead, we often rely on someone more knowledgeable to troubleshoot our network problems. But what if you don’t have someone available to help you? The Network troubleshooter in Windows 7 provides a way for anyone to diagnose and repair network problems.

Networks are complex

Networks rely on complex technology, so diagnosing the root cause of a network problem can often be a difficult task. For example, if you can’t access a website, you will see an error message, but the message might not be necessarily very helpful since it typically won’t pinpoint the exact problem. The problem could be caused by a number of issues with your computer, the web server, or the network between your computer and the web server.

The Network troubleshooter can help

When a network problem occurs in Windows 7, the Network troubleshooter helps to diagnose and repair the problem. For example, when you see some error messages such as “Page cannot be displayed” or “Server is not available,” you have the option of using the Network troubleshooter to identify the problem. To open the Network troubleshooter from network-related error messages, click Diagnose or Troubleshoot.

Some programs, such as Remote Assistance, automatically detect when there’s a problem and give you the option of running the troubleshooter. Here are some other ways to access the Network troubleshooter:

1. Right-click the network icon in the notification area of the taskbar, and then click Troubleshoot problems.

2. Click the Start button click Control Panel‌, and then, in the search box, type troubleshooter. Click Troubleshooting, click Network and Internet, and then click the type of problem you are experiencing.

3. Click the Start button click Control Panel‌, and then, in the search box, type network. In the list of results, click Network and Sharing Center, and then click Troubleshoot problems.

4. Click the Start button click Control Panel‌, and then, in the search box, type adapter. Under Network and Sharing Center, click View network connections, right-click a network adapter, and then click Diagnose.

After diagnosing a problem, the Network troubleshooter will suggest ways for fixing it. Sometimes the troubleshooter can even fix the problem automatically without any intervention from you. For example, if your network adapter has difficulty resuming from sleep, the Network troubleshooter can automatically reset the adapter and driver.

The Network troubleshooter can also detect whether a computer’s wireless networking capability is turned off. This is a common problem, which might have led you to call technical support in the past. But with the Network troubleshooter, you can fix this problem yourself.

After you run the Network troubleshooter, a problem report is stored in the troubleshooting history for future reference. If troubleshooting didn’t fix the problem, sharing this report with a technical support person can help them identify and solve complex network problems faster.

The problem report contains one or more event logs. Network administrators and technical support personnel can use the information in the event logs to analyze connectivity problems or help interpret the conclusions. You can find this information by clicking View detailed information on the final page of the troubleshooter, or by following these steps:

1. Open Troubleshooting by clicking the Start button clicking Control Panel, and then, under System and Security, clicking Find and fix problems.

2. In the left pane, click View history.

3. Right-click the troubleshooting report, and then click View details.

7 ways to work faster on slow connections

There is nothing like trying to work when your Internet connection is slow. It’s tougher to send email, more difficult to send files to co-workers, and it’s frustrating wasting time while you wait for web pages to appear. And even with the proliferation of broadband Internet connections, there are still times you may be working on a slow connection. You might be traveling, working out of your office, still using dial-up, or your broadband connection may be acting up. But there are things you can do.

This article will show you how to increase your productivity when your connection is slow. Many of these steps are also good tips for how to increase the speed of browsing and sending and receiving email.

1. Send multiple files faster by compressing them

If you’re sending multiple files for example several files related to a project you can reduce their combined size by using a compression utility. Compressing your files can dramatically reduce the time needed to send files online, and won’t take up as much space in your (or the recipient’s) email Inbox. WinZip is one of the more common compression tools.

2. Speed browsing by turning off graphics in Internet Explorer

Graphics are important to web pages, but they also take time to download if you’re online. You can turn them off to speed your Internet browsing.

3. Send email using distribution lists

If you’re sending an email to multiple people, create a distribution list instead of listing each recipient separately. Messages are sent faster and more efficiently when you’re using a distribution list. Your company may have established procedures for creating mailing lists. If not, learn how to create a contact list in Outlook.

4. Work offline using Cached Exchange Mode in Outlook

Even if you lose your network connection, you can continue to working in Outlook if you’re using Cached Exchange Mode. With Cached Exchange Mode, a copy of your mailbox is stored on your computer. This copy provides quick access to your data and is frequently updated with the mail server. If you work offline, whether by choice or due to a connection problem, your data is still available to you instantly wherever you are. Cached Exchange Mode does require you to work with a Microsoft Exchange Server email account. Learn more about using Cached Exchange Mode.

5. Reduce email size with simple email signatures

Email signatures leave a professional stamp on your messages, but elaborate signatures that include multiple images take up a lot of unnecessary storage space in each email. Ultimately, they can slow down the time needed to send each message. Instead create distinctive text signatures combining fonts, type sizes, and colors to make your email signature smaller and quicker to transmit and receive. Learn how to create email signatures in Outlook.

6. Browse offline by saving web pages on your computer

If you use reference a web page often, save it locally to your computer. If you lose your connection or are working on a slow connection, you’ll still be able to read and find the information you need.

7. Open web pages faster by increasing your cache

If you increase the size of the Temporary Internet files cache in Internet Explorer, your computer won’t have to work so hard when you revisit web pages. Many of the images will already be downloaded on your computer, decreasing the amount of time it takes to open a page.