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Wireless Networking
It's not quite "wireless networking for dummies" but here you'll find a wide range of questions and answers covering things from setting up a home wireless network to wireless routers, what to do at free wifi locations and everything in between.
Can I use a second wireless access point to extend my wireless network?
Depending on what you're planning, you can use a second wireless point to extend your wireless network.
Can hackers sniff my cellphone internet connection?
Using your cell phone as a mobile hotspot is convenient and powerful - and easy to be unsecured. I'll look at what it means to set that up securely.
Can my neighbors see my WiFi if I can see theirs?
If you're close enough to see someone else's wireless network chances are they can see yours. There's one step you must take to stay secure.
Does changing or disabling the broadcast of my wireless SSID make me more secure?
The SSID identifies your wireless access point to any computers in range. Having a unique one is helpful, but hiding it is only marginally more secure.
How can I block neighboring wireless networks?
Accidentally connecting to someone's nearby wireless network can be a serious security risk. We'll look at some steps to prevent it.
How can I tell what kind of WiFi encryption I'm using?
It's easy to tell what kind of encryption is being used on available networks. Changing it, however, requires access to the wireless router.
How do I best extend my wireless network for laptop access?
It can be difficult to get wireless network coverage throughout your home. I'll look at a couple of ways to extend your wireless network.
How do I connect my desktop to the nearby wireless internet WiFi hotspot?
Wireless internet in WiFi hotspots makes for a convenient connection. To connect to the wireless internet you need proximity and a little hardware.
How do I determine the capabilities of my wireless network adapter?
Figuring out the speed capability of your wireless network card may not be obvious. Using Windows you can examine the wireless card's properties.
How do I extend my network wirelessly?
Extending your network using wireless technology holds both promise and complexity. Here are some ideas to extend a network using wireless networking.
How do I get wireless internet?
You hear a lot about the wireless internet, but it's not something you can just connect to anywhere. It's more often something you set up.
How do I know if I have WPA or WEP I can use when traveling?
Wireless encryption hardware support is actually only half the battle. Knowing whether or not it will be used is the other. And it likely will not.
How do I use an open WiFi hotspot safely?
Open WiFi hotspots at coffee shops, airports and other public places are opportunities for hackers to steal information. I'll review how to stay safe.
How do you remove wireless connections in Vista?
It's possible to accidentally connect to wireless networks you didn't expect. We'll look at how to make sure you get the connection you expect.
How should I stay connected while traveling?
Fortunately for the wired traveler, mobile connectivity has improved dramatically. We'll look at some of the many options you have to choose from.
Is MAC address filtering a viable wireless security option?
MAC address filtering is a technique that in theory prevents unauthorized computers from accessing your network. I'll explain why the theory fails.
Is cellular broadband more secure than WiFi?
Cellular is a popular internet connection alternative. As with any connection it's important to understand the security ramifications and tradeoffs.
Is it OK to use this random wireless network that I just found?
When scanning for wireless connections you may find several that are unknown yet and appear open and available. Using them is risky. Very risky.
Is the WiFi connection provided by my landlord safe, and if not, how should I protect myself?
Connectivity is becoming an added "perk" in some housing situations. Make sure you know the risks when someone else provides your internet connection.
Just how easy is it to sniff network traffic?
We often hear that we need to protect ourselves from data sniffing, particularly at open WiFi hotspots. I'll look at what and how easy sniffing is.
My laptop only seems to support WEP encryption, how do I get WPA2?
Selecting WPA or WPA2 encryption is important, but not all hardware supports it. We'll look at what to do if your computer doesn't support WPA2.
What kind of router do I need?
A router is a router is ... actually, there are several different kinds of routers that are used in different situations. I'll review the most common.
What's the difference between a router, a wireless router and a wireless access point?
Unfortunately, terminology has become quite confused around routers and access points, I'll describe each, how they relate, and why differences matter.
Why can't I get two access points to work at the same time?
Adding a second access point to your network is a great way to extend your range. But you'll need to take care to avoid configuration conflicts.
Why does answering cordless phones cause some wireless connections to drop?
Occasionally, answering or using a cordless phone can cause computer wireless or WiFi connections to drop. We'll look at why, and what to do.
Why isn't my wireless operating at full speed?
Wireless equipment is advertised as carrying data at a particular speed, but the part that's not highlighted is that the conditions must be right.
Wireless Encryption: do I need it?
Wireless Encryption is somewhat mysterious. Wireless encryption is something you likely need to keep your network, and your data, secure.