Wireless security for the not so faint at heart

Wireless computing has become as common as unleaded gas.  It is just like it too, as unleaded gas is better for the environment, wireless computer access has become better for all computer users.  We are no longer locked down to a desk to check our Facebook account.

We can truly work in our long johns and watch Matlock at the same time.

You can have my wireless, when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

To make this short, there are several security settings that can be applied to your wireless network that require a technician that knows what they are doing.  Working with your ISP or configuring a separate wireless home router is truly the best for consumers these days.

Here is the wireless standards I recommend:

Wireless Security - WPA2 / PSK 

Broadcast SSID - Disabled

MAC filtering - turned on and configured

Power settings - the lower the better - (broadcast signal, should not reach the street)

Content filtering - turned on and configured

DNS servers - OpenDNS configured for more content filtering.

There are several other settings that can be configured to secure your network down like Fort Knox but it would require several other layers of equipment.

Planes, trains, and automobiles.  Cell phones, XBox, Laptop, and Wii

Once you have a wireless network setup, you open up a world where all kinds of devices will be able to connect to one another, and to the internet. 

Devices include:  Laptops, Cell Phones, Cable and Satellite TVs and receivers, DVD players, Printers, Refrigerators, Wii and Xbox game systems.  

Do you get the picture? 

Security for Seniors

When people know you work on computers, you get the same response as when they find out your a doctor.  "Oh your a Doctor, hey it hurts when I do this?"  In this case the doctor usually responds, "Well don't do that"

In my case the common question or complaint especially from senior citizens is, "My computer is running slow", and "I got this email from my friend with a link and I clicked it, now my computer doesn't run anymore?"  I want to tell them "Then don't do that"

It doesn't work.

Viruses, Malware, Adware, and those pesky links people click all the time

For most people they don't know the difference between all the above.  For the average person, lets just say they are all just different forms of the same thing... Making one's computer run slow, or not at all in some extreme conditions.

I don't want to use this blog to teach people how to clean viruses off their existing systems.  Sorry, it is too complex and a huge waste of time trying to clean a system, its like being on a high fiber diet.  Initially you get rid of a bunch of crap, but your still the same old geezer.  Your still prone to get diseases and your still going to get plugged up.

Its the same with the computing systems being used today.  Majority of households are running a computer on software that is prone to infection.  Its just like going to the doctor if you get infected everything moves slow.  

Enough talk about being sick and bowel movements

Seniors do you want to send email, play solitaire, and talk to other seniors on AARP website.  How would you like to view pictures of your kids, grand-kids, and groomed poodles?

How would you like to be able to talk to your kids using a video chat, or being able to see your grand-kids playing in the yard from 1000 miles away.

I will leave you here with those things to think about.

New Blog Announced

New Blog Introduced by David Haines

Google Chromebook review - Computing for Seniors

This blog is going to be used to post information to help those that did not grow up with computing technology and introduce them with easy to use steps in becoming comfortable with this new technology.