Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Kansas City Scores High-Speed Google Network]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/kansas-city-scores-high-speed-google-network/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/kansas-city-scores-high-speed-google-network/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/kansas-city-scores-high-speed-google-network/#comments kansas city fiberWe had almost forgotten that Google promised to bring an experimental, super high-speed fiber optic network to one lucky American city way back in February of 2010. Along with its +1 recommendation service, Google also announced today the winner of its gigabit-per-second second network: Kansas City, Kansas. With this city of only 145,000 people, Google is starting small. When the service launches in 2012, we hope that other ISPs will have caught up.

SwitchedKansas City Scores High-Speed Google Network originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googleGoogleFiberForCommunitieskansas cityKansasCitynetworkingtopWed, 30 Mar 2011 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[32% of People Are Foolish Enough to Steal a Neighbor's Wi-Fi]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/32-percent-steal-neighbors-wifi-poll/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/32-percent-steal-neighbors-wifi-poll/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/32-percent-steal-neighbors-wifi-poll/#commentsWi-Fi We've all done it: found an unencrypted Wi-Fi connection and decided to piggyback on an unsuspecting neighbor's Web hookup -- even if it was only a temporary fix while we waited for a repairman, or until we could get cable installed in a new apartment. According to a recent poll conducted by Wakefield Research and the Wi-Fi Alliance, 32-percent of respondents admitted to trying to steal a neighbor's Wi-Fi connection at some point, a significant increase over the 18-percent that copped to the same crime (and yes, it is illegal) in 2008. The concern here isn't with the actual theft or breach of trust -- although you should probably feel a little guilty about that, you sneaky bastard. It's that unencrypted Wi-Fi connections pose a serious security risk. Using an unencrypted connection leaves your accounts vulnerable to readily available hacking tools like Firesheep. Some, like Chet Wisniewski of Sophos, aren't afraid to do a little fear-mongering to convince people to lock down their Wi-Fi connections. As he told USA Today, pedophiles and terrorists could easily take advantage of your unencrypted connection.

The danger, however, goes both ways. Yes, those with Wi-Fi routers should turn on any security features they can, but mooching exposes you to just as many dangers. Chances are that if you can get onto a Wi-Fi network, you're probably not the only one who has realized this. Any log-in or credit card information you enter is just being passed through the air for someone to snag.

Switched32% of People Are Foolish Enough to Steal a Neighbor's Wi-Fi originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>networkingsecurityStealWifithefttopUnencryptedWifiwebWi-FiwifiFri, 04 Feb 2011 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[DLNA: The Secret Sauce Behind the Best of CES]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/dlna-the-secret-sauce-behind-the-best-of-ces/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/dlna-the-secret-sauce-behind-the-best-of-ces/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/dlna-the-secret-sauce-behind-the-best-of-ces/#commentsChief among the handful of dazzling revelations at this year's CES have been the scores of devices that can be interconnected seamlessly, finally delivering on the years-old promise of the fully connected home. So, now you can, say, hook your home network up to your TV, your gaming system, your home stereo, your laptop and desktop PCs, your Blu-ray players and DVR, as well as your audio receiver and remote speakers, and have them instantly communicate with each other, pumping glorious audio, video, Web content and other data back and forth to each other. And we're talking products from competing companies. This is no mean feat, and, for the vast majority of these devices, we have a single, mostly mysterious acronym to thank for all of this long-awaited funderfulness: DLNA.

Continue reading DLNA: The Secret Sauce Behind the Best of CES

SwitchedDLNA: The Secret Sauce Behind the Best of CES originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CES 2011Ces2011Digital Living Network AllianceDigitalLivingNetworkAllianceDLNAiomega tv with boxeeIomegaTvWithBoxeemotorola atrixMotorolaAtrixsamsung smart tvSamsungSmartTvupnpFri, 07 Jan 2011 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Smithsonian Celebrates 50 Years of COBOL]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/16/smithsonian-celebrates-50-years-of-cobol/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/16/smithsonian-celebrates-50-years-of-cobol/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/16/smithsonian-celebrates-50-years-of-cobol/#comments Renowned D.C. institutions continue to progressively incorporate and exhibit nerdy memorabilia. The Library of Congress actually includes a Twitter archive, and the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History houses various computing artifacts, including Atari, IBM, Dell and Apple accessories. That same museum recently initiated a celebration of another computing movement, and it pertains to the geekiest of the geeky -- programmers.

Exactly 50 years ago, a select group of programmers from the public, private and government sectors embarked on a collaborative project to create a universal programming language. At the time, in 1960, computer manufacturers employed different programming languages, making it impossible -- for organizations and companies that owned varying models -- to effectively "maintain payrolls, prepare budgets, and track property." However, that group of visionary programmers subsequently originated the Common, Business-Oriented Language (COBOL).

Continue reading Smithsonian Celebrates 50 Years of COBOL

SwitchedSmithsonian Celebrates 50 Years of COBOL originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cobolprogramming languagesProgrammingLanguagesSmithsonian National Museum of American HistorySmithsonianNationalMuseumOfAmericanHistoryThu, 16 Dec 2010 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Super-Charge Your Wi-Fi: Upgrading to N]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/15/faster-wi-fi-network-upgrade-to-80211n/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/15/faster-wi-fi-network-upgrade-to-80211n/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/15/faster-wi-fi-network-upgrade-to-80211n/#commentsUpgrading to N A reader asks: I recently got a new laptop that supposedly has super-fast Wi-Fi, but I honestly don't see any difference from before, which is a disappointment. I've been googling around and discovered that maybe I need to upgrade the device thingie that my DSL service provides. I honestly don't understand all this, but I really feel the need for speed, so Just Tell Me What To Get!


Dear Reader: You aren't the first person to contact us befuddled by the intricacies (and pitfalls) of Wi-Fi. Despite the leaps and bounds that engineers have made in simplifying things for consumers, setting up a Wi-Fi home network can quickly get technical and frustrating. But, with a little background info and a few recommendations, you won't need to become a network IT guy or HAM radio enthusiast to get a handle on these wireless wonders.

At the risk of presuming some of our readers are complete newbies, we'll start at the very beginning. (We've heard it's the best place to start.) So, if you're already a networking wizard, feel free to skip ahead for our specific recommendations.

Continue reading Super-Charge Your Wi-Fi: Upgrading to N

SwitchedSuper-Charge Your Wi-Fi: Upgrading to N originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>802.11naccess pointAccessPointapple airport extremeAppleAirportExtremebase stationBaseStationcisco connectcisco linksys e3000 wireless-n routerCiscoConnectCiscoLinksysE3000Wireless-nRouterfeaturesjtmwtgjusttellmewhattogetnetworkingwi-fi routerWi-fiRouterwireless-nWed, 15 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Find Out if Your Flight Has Internet at HasWiFi]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/17/find-out-if-your-flight-has-internet-at-haswifi/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/17/find-out-if-your-flight-has-internet-at-haswifi/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/17/find-out-if-your-flight-has-internet-at-haswifi/#commentsHasWiFi For better or worse, Wi-Fi is an increasingly common amenity on flights, both domestic and international. The upside is that you can get work done in transit. The down side is that you're expected to get online and get work done in transit. Many now fly assuming they'll have Internet access at 30,000 feet, but that isn't always the case, and there hasn't been a particularly easy way to check before purchasing your tickets. HasWiFi attempts to solve this conundrum by building a searchable database of Wi-Fi equipped flights. At the moment HasWiFi can only search six U.S. carriers, but founder Anthony Petito hopes to expand that pool of data soon. He also plans to offer an API so that other sites like Expedia can search HasWiFi data, eliminating the need to find a cheap flight on one site, figure out if it has Wi-Fi on another, and then go back to the original to purchase your tickets.

While many will be using the site to find flights that have Wi-Fi, at least a few of us might be interested in finding ones that don't. For instance, some of us like to use the flight to Vegas for CES every January to catch up on the sleep we know we won't be getting during the next week. No Wi-Fi provides a convenient excuse for getting a little shut eye instead of six more hours staring at our laptop screens.

SwitchedFind Out if Your Flight Has Internet at HasWiFi originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlinesairplanehaswifiinflightwifinetworkingtoptransportationwebwirelessSun, 17 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC Plans to Open Vacated TV Spectrum for 'Super Wi-Fi']]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/13/fcc-plans-to-open-vacated-tv-spectrum-for-super-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/13/fcc-plans-to-open-vacated-tv-spectrum-for-super-wi-fi/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/13/fcc-plans-to-open-vacated-tv-spectrum-for-super-wi-fi/#commentsMost of the recent headlines regarding the FCC focus on the battle over Net neutrality. Lost among the haranguing over tiered service and packet prioritization, the debate about so-called white space has fallen by the wayside. But, with the fight to preserve an unrestricted Web temporarily on hold, the regulating body is finally moving to approve the unlicensed use of the spaces that exist between TV broadcasting frequencies. The available airwaves between stations have been greatly expanded with the transition from analog to digital broadcasts, and many technology companies (Google being among the most outspoken) have been pushing to open the spectrum to unlicensed use.

The first use of the spectrum will likely be for creating what the FCC has called "super Wi-Fi," which can cover greater distances, penetrate walls and transfer much more data. The technology could also be opened up to wireless microphones, personal area network radios (like Bluetooth) and local broadband. The FCC will vote on the new rules on September 23rd, and it's widely expected that electronic makers will jump all over the newly available spectrum. And in a win for privacy advocates, it appears a requirement that forced devices using the spectrum to register with a database has been dropped.

SwitchedFCC Plans to Open Vacated TV Spectrum for 'Super Wi-Fi' originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadcastFCCfederal communications commissionFederalCommunicationsCommissionFrequenciessuper wifiSuperWifitopwhite spaceWhiteSpaceMon, 13 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Femtocells Can Help You Get a Better Cell Phone Signal at Home]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/08/femtocells-can-help-you-get-a-better-cell-phone-signal-at-home/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/08/femtocells-can-help-you-get-a-better-cell-phone-signal-at-home/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/08/femtocells-can-help-you-get-a-better-cell-phone-signal-at-home/#commentsFemtocells

A reader asks:

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I recently moved apartments, and was startled to discover that I get little to no cell phone signal in my new pad, which obviously sucks. Calls drop or don't come through, and my phone chews through the battery. To make a call I have to go on my roof or across the street. Short of switching to a new service provider, which I don't want to do, I've read there are gadgets that may help, but I have no idea if they work. I don't know what to do, so just tell me what to get!

Dear Reader:

Pardon the pun, but your complaint about a lack of wireless signal seems to be in the air these days -- a Harris Interactive survey found that 67-percent of U.S. mobile owners complain they have reception problems at home. In the early days of cell phones, this lapse of coverage may have been more forgivable since service plans cost less and most of us primarily used landline phones for calls from home. That has obviously changed, and the good news is that service providers are belatedly and cautiously owning up to the failings by offering a solution: femtocells!

Continue reading Femtocells Can Help You Get a Better Cell Phone Signal at Home

SwitchedFemtocells Can Help You Get a Better Cell Phone Signal at Home originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonescolumnsfeaturesfemtocellfemtocellsjusttellmewhattogetnetwork extenderNetworkExtendersignal boosterSignalBoosterWed, 08 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ontario Parents Say School Wi-Fi Networks Make Kids Sick]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/16/ontario-parents-say-school-wi-fi-networks-makes-kids-sick/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/16/ontario-parents-say-school-wi-fi-networks-makes-kids-sick/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/16/ontario-parents-say-school-wi-fi-networks-makes-kids-sick/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wireless

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Parents in the town of Barrie, Ontario, Canada, want their school district to disable its Wi-Fi network because, they claim, it's making their kids sick. According to a report by The Canadian Press, parents say that, after the district went wireless, kids from 14 different schools displayed symptoms -- including headaches, dizziness, nausea, faster heart rates, memory loss, trouble concentrating, skin rashes, hyperactivity, night sweats and insomnia. Rodney Palmer and other members of the Simcoe County Safe School Committee say the kids don't display these symptoms at home. "I'm not saying it's because of the Wi-Fi because we don't know yet, but I've pretty much eliminated every other possible source," Palmer told the Press.

The concerned parents volunteered to pay any costs the schools might incur by going back to a wired network, but the school board ignored this proposal. Now it appears some parents, like Palmer, might send their kids to other schools or home school them because of this bizarre rash of illness.

Continue reading Ontario Parents Say School Wi-Fi Networks Make Kids Sick

SwitchedOntario Parents Say School Wi-Fi Networks Make Kids Sick originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electromagneticElectroMagneticRadiationhealthInternetkidsontarioOntarioCanadarouterschoolsicktopWebwifiwirelessMon, 16 Aug 2010 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacker Indicted for Sending Terrorist Threats, Child Porn to Vice President]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/28/hacker-indicted-for-sending-terrorist-threats-child-porn-to-vic/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/28/hacker-indicted-for-sending-terrorist-threats-child-porn-to-vic/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/28/hacker-indicted-for-sending-terrorist-threats-child-porn-to-vic/#commentsFiled under:

hacker sends child porn to politiciansOf all the people to be threatened via e-mail, high-ranking politicians should be at the bottom of your list -- unless, of course, you have delusions of grandeur. Such delusions are likely what spurred Minnesota native Barry Vincent Ardolf to hack into his neighbor's Wi-Fi network -- unless Ardolf was just aiming for the coveted title of "Weirdest Neighbor Ever." According to Information Week, Ardolf was indicted Thursday, and charged with unauthorized computer access, two counts of aggravated identity theft, possession of child pornography, transmission of child pornography, and threats to the President and his successors.

First, Aldorf hacked into his neighbor's Wi-Fi router so that he could use it to access the Web from his own home while posing as the neighbor. Next, he created Yahoo! Mail and MySpace accounts in his neighbor's name, and a Gmail account under the guise of another, unnamed person. Aldorf then used the accounts to send threatening messages to his neighbor's work supervisor, a U.S. senator from Minnesota, the governor of Minnesota and Vice President Joe Biden. The messages were full of every online no-no: terrorist threats, sexual harassment claims and child pornography. Instead of getting his neighbor in trouble, Aldorf is now staring at up to 37 years in prison, and a whole lot of embarrassment for a hackneyed smear campaign gone horribly awry. [From: Information Week]

SwitchedHacker Indicted for Sending Terrorist Threats, Child Porn to Vice President originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChildPornographycrimehackidentitytheftJoeBidenlawprivacyroutersecurityterrorismthreattopwifiMon, 28 Jun 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Are Tinfoil Hats Less Ridiculous Than We Thought?]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/05/12/are-tinfoil-hats-less-ridiculous-than-we-thought/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/12/are-tinfoil-hats-less-ridiculous-than-we-thought/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/12/are-tinfoil-hats-less-ridiculous-than-we-thought/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tinfoil Hat Experiment
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Tinfoil hats are our go-to mocking tool when it comes paranoid conspiracy theorists. But if this little YouTube experiment from MrfixitRick (a.k.a., Rick Crammond) is to be believed, we're wrong to laugh. (At the hat, at least. We're still laughing at the person.)

Sci-Art weirdo Rick demonstrates, by way of a cap covered in tinfoil, that the kitchen staple can actually block electromagnetic pulses. With a device called a beta-blocker radio, the Tesla-obsessed Canadian shows how a wireless modem pumps out electromagnetic pulses when turned on. Those pulses are clearly audible as an almost woodpecker-like thumping when the radio is placed close to the modem. But, when Rick puts his radio-cum-detector in the foil hat, the pulses practically disappear. It seems that the sheet of tinfoil acts as a sort of Faraday Cage, a barrier (usually a fine mesh of conductive metal) that blocks external sources of electromagnetic radiation.

Continue reading Are Tinfoil Hats Less Ridiculous Than We Thought?

SwitchedAre Tinfoil Hats Less Ridiculous Than We Thought? originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 12 May 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diyfunnymodemroutersciencetinfoiltinfoil hattinfoil hatsTinfoilHatTinfoilHatstopwirelessyoutubeWed, 12 May 2010 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Undercover Actresses Flaunt Their 'MackBerries' in New Marketing Scheme]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/04/20/street-actresses-flaunt-their-mackberries-in-new-marketing-sch/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/20/street-actresses-flaunt-their-mackberries-in-new-marketing-sch/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/20/street-actresses-flaunt-their-mackberries-in-new-marketing-sch/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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Way back in 1998, 'The Truman Show' provided a revealing, and prescient, glimpse into the burgeoning world of reality television and surreptitious marketing techniques. Annoying and (sometimes) sneaky product placements are certainly not a new phenomenon, but the advertising scheme has almost reached ubiquitous Truman-esque status as it has expanded to corrupt almost all aspects of daily life.

According to the New York Daily News, BlackBerry recently joined the ranks of nefarious placement perpetrators with a troubling, and alluring, new practice. The company has apparently hired charming temptresses to act as innocent pedestrians in order to entice unwitting, smitten males to play with the vixens' Pearl smartphones.

Continue reading Undercover Actresses Flaunt Their 'MackBerries' in New Marketing Scheme

SwitchedUndercover Actresses Flaunt Their 'MackBerries' in New Marketing Scheme originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingBlackBerrymarketingnetworkingRIMsmartphonestopViralMarketingTue, 20 Apr 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Human Skin Hacked for Broadband, Probably Faster Than Our Apartment]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/16/human-skin-hacked-for-broadband-probably-than-our-apartment/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/16/human-skin-hacked-for-broadband-probably-than-our-apartment/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/16/human-skin-hacked-for-broadband-probably-than-our-apartment/#commentsFiled under:

Japanese researchers discovered a way to transmit data, at broadband speeds, using the human body back in 2005. Now Korean scientists have improved on that demonstration by performing the same feat with using a set of slightly modified electrodes. Using low-frequency electromagnetic signals, which travel easily and safely across human skin and are free of the interference common to wireless devices, a team at Korea University in Seoul was impressively able to send information over a distance of 30 centimeters at 10 Mbps.

Don't expect to get plugged directly into the Web and have your body turned into a router, though, as this tech is meant primarily for medical purposes. Unfortunately, current options for patients whose vital signs require constant monitoring entail either tangled messes of cables, or battery-sapping wireless technologies like Bluetooth. According to Sang-Hoon Lee, one of the researchers on the project, the skin-based network would reduce power requirements by 90-percent.

Continue reading Human Skin Hacked for Broadband, Probably Faster Than Our Apartment

SwitchedHuman Skin Hacked for Broadband, Probably Faster Than Our Apartment originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadbandhealthinternetmedicalmedicinenetworkingsciencetopwebwirelessTue, 16 Mar 2010 07:29:00 EST<![CDATA['Chuck Norris' Botnet Drop Kicks Internet Routers Worldwide]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/02/22/chuck-norris-botnet-drop-kicks-internet-routers-worldwide/http://www.switched.com/2010/02/22/chuck-norris-botnet-drop-kicks-internet-routers-worldwide/http://www.switched.com/2010/02/22/chuck-norris-botnet-drop-kicks-internet-routers-worldwide/#commentsFiled under:

What's more annoying than Chuck Norris? We're hard pressed to think of much, but, if we really thought about it, a modem-hacking botnet named after the actor/Internet sensation would probably fit the bill.

According to PC World, Czech researchers recently discovered a botnet (a network of infected devices that work together to send spam and steal data) that hijacks routers and DSL modems. To do this, the program guesses the default administrative password on the device, and, since most modems and routers can be remotely accessed, takes it over from afar. Then, it can spread and infect other devices and networks.

Continue reading 'Chuck Norris' Botnet Drop Kicks Internet Routers Worldwide

Switched'Chuck Norris' Botnet Drop Kicks Internet Routers Worldwide originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>botnetchucknorrishackinternetmodemroutertopMon, 22 Feb 2010 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Five Things to Consider When Buying a Computer]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/02/17/five-things-to-consider-when-buying-a-computer-5/http://www.switched.com/2010/02/17/five-things-to-consider-when-buying-a-computer-5/http://www.switched.com/2010/02/17/five-things-to-consider-when-buying-a-computer-5/#comments

Extras

At this point, USB ports and Gigabit Ethernet are standard features in desktops and laptops alike, so we won't waste your time talking about them. There are still a few hardware options worth mentioning, though.

Wireless
If you're getting a laptop, Wi-Fi is a given. You'll want to make sure you get one with an 802.11n card in it. Wi-Fi is less important in a desktop machine that won't be moved much, but, if you don't want to place it near your modem or router, you may want to consider wireless.

Bluetooth is also worth considering if you want to sync a smartphone, or use a wireless headset with Skype. Lastly, serious road warriors will want to consider a dedicated 3G WAN card for getting online when Wi-Fi isn't available.

Printer
If your aging printer is up for replacement, you can snag a great deal (or free printer) when buying a new computer package from many stores. Those that print a lot of text documents will want a laser printer, while users who only occasionally print charts, graphs, and Web content would benefit from an ink-jet. Shutterbugs may want to consider a dedicated photo printer.

Monitor
If you bought a desktop, you'll probably need a monitor (or two). Go with a 20-inch model or larger (any smaller and you might as well have gotten a laptop) with at least a 1600x900 resolution. For anything larger than 20 inches, you'd be wise to jump to a full 1080p screen.

SwitchedFive Things to Consider When Buying a Computer originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080pbluetoothmodemsmonitormonitorsnetwork cardNetworkCardprinterprintersrouterusbwi-fiwifiwirelesswireless adapterWirelessAdapterWed, 17 Feb 2010 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[What Wi-Fi-Ready Wireless Router Is Best for Me?]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/01/21/what-wi-fi-ready-wireless-router-is-best-for-me/http://www.switched.com/2010/01/21/what-wi-fi-ready-wireless-router-is-best-for-me/http://www.switched.com/2010/01/21/what-wi-fi-ready-wireless-router-is-best-for-me/#commentsFiled under: , ,


A reader writes: "Well, it has finally happened: My (un)trusty warhorse Linksys WRT54G finally gave up the ghost and I'm in the market for a new wireless router. The thing is, I use a ton of differing Wi-Fi devices - an old Win XP laptop with a B card, a desktop PC with G, a new Mac laptop with N, an Xbox 360, an iPhone, whatever it is the neighbors are using to leach off of me - and also have interference issues from the dozens of other wireless networks nearby. I don't have the patience to troubleshoot wireless networks anymore, so just tell me what to get!"

Dear Reader: With sympathies to your old Linksys, consider its passing a welcome point in the cycle of life. After all, it means you get to upgrade to a zippy new dual-band wireless router!

As you amply noted, Wi-Fi comes in a bevy of flavors. Older B/G routers (and even a few newer B/G/N ones) typically operate on a single 2.4-GHz band, which carries with it a few important implications. The first is that when running on a single band, your router is forced to accommodate whatever device is slowest on your network. Thus, the moment a B device logs-on to your network, your router will only transmit and receive signals at pokey B speeds and your G and N devices won't be able to use their much higher capabilities. The second issue with the 2.4-GHz band is that it also hosts many other devices: cordless phones, wireless cameras, Bluetooth devices, microwave ovens, and other Wi-Fi networks. Therefore, it's highly susceptible to interference issues; even when you're receiving a full signal, your network is still likely to experience delays and hiccups that bog it down.

Continue reading What Wi-Fi-Ready Wireless Router Is Best for Me?

SwitchedWhat Wi-Fi-Ready Wireless Router Is Best for Me? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.4ghz5 ghz5Ghzairport extremeAirportExtremeapple airport extremeAppleAirportExtremedir 825Dir825dlink dir825DlinkDir825dual-bandfeatureslinksysrouterstopwi-fiwireless routerwireless routersWirelessRouterWirelessRoutersThu, 21 Jan 2010 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Lazy Passwords Leave 21K Routers, Cams, Phones Open to Attack]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/28/lazy-passwords-leave-21k-internet-connections-vulnerable-to-atta/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/28/lazy-passwords-leave-21k-internet-connections-vulnerable-to-atta/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/28/lazy-passwords-leave-21k-internet-connections-vulnerable-to-atta/#commentsFiled under: ,


In the "yet another thing to be paranoid about" category comes a report that nearly 21,000 routers, webcams and VoIP products are wide open to remote attack, simply because their owners have committed the ultimate sin: failing to change the manufacturer's default password for the devices.

The study was performed by Ang Cui, a grad student at Columbia University's Intrusion Detection Systems Laboratory, which has sponsored the likes of DARPA and the Department of Homeland Security. Researchers have now scanned over 130 million IP addresses, and discovered nearly 300,000 devices to be remotely accessible. And the 21,000 devices with default passwords are, of course, the most vulnerable -- "runts of the litter", if you will.

Continue reading Lazy Passwords Leave 21K Routers, Cams, Phones Open to Attack

SwitchedLazy Passwords Leave 21K Routers, Cams, Phones Open to Attack originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hackhackerpasswordroutersecuritytopwifiwirelessWed, 28 Oct 2009 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[If We Chose the Names of Wireless Networks in Our Building...]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/07/25/if-we-chose-the-names-of-wireless-networks-in-our-building/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/25/if-we-chose-the-names-of-wireless-networks-in-our-building/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/25/if-we-chose-the-names-of-wireless-networks-in-our-building/#commentsFiled under: ,



The world would be a far less connected place without those ignorant but honorable souls with unsecured wireless networks named "linksys." It never fails that whenever we are stranded at a foreign apartment bereft of Internet access, someone living nearby has left their Wi-Fi on the default setting. E-mail, surfing, messaging? And how.

On some of our more Web adroit days, we'll admit we've been tempted to string together a "192.168.1.1" in our browser, access the modem, and change the name of the wide-open network. Nothing mean-spirited, of course; just a silent 'thank you' for the momentary connection. Imagine coming home from work and clicking that little wireless antenna logo to see your network name has been changed to "linksys_gave_me_20_minutes_of_unadulterated_joy_thanks."

Continue reading If We Chose the Names of Wireless Networks in Our Building...

SwitchedIf We Chose the Names of Wireless Networks in Our Building... originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>humorrouterhumorrouterstopSat, 25 Jul 2009 17:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Vacationers Prime Targets for Cybercriminals]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/07/13/vacationers-prime-targets-for-cybercriminals/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/13/vacationers-prime-targets-for-cybercriminals/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/13/vacationers-prime-targets-for-cybercriminals/#commentsFiled under: ,

With more and more people using Wi-Fi-enabled devices -- from iPhones to netbooks to standard laptops -- the need for public Internet access is steadily growing. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are very aware of this fact and, according to Fox News, are exploiting it to the best of their ability. By creating phony Wi-Fi networks in places such as hotels and airports, crooks target carefree vacationers who are more more worried about hitting the beach than they are network security. This nonchalance can often find travelers the victims of identity theft.

Wireless security company AirTight Networks conducted a study last year in 27 airports around the world, and the results are borderline horrifying. For instance, the baggage-handling system at JFK International was being run on an insecure network. Other airports' ticketing systems were similarly run on insecure networks. Of the airports that did use encryption, 80-percent of them used the easily cracked WEP standard, as opposed to the more secure WPA and WPA2 protocols. AirTight contacted several airlines regarding the loose security in early 2009, and thankfully, airlines such as American and JetBlue have been swift to remedy the situation.

Continue reading Vacationers Prime Targets for Cybercriminals

SwitchedVacationers Prime Targets for Cybercriminals originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>free wifiFreeWifiidentity theftIdentityTheftnetworkingphishingsecuritytoptravelwifiMon, 13 Jul 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Improve Your Wi-Fi Performance]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/improve-your-wi-fi-performance/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/improve-your-wi-fi-performance/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/improve-your-wi-fi-performance/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you're finding your Wi-Fi is flaky, it could be a cordless phone, microwave or another network causing interference. Using your setup software, trying switching the broadcast channel, which is just like switching a TV channel. If your base station has it, try enabling "interference robustness." It will slow speeds a little but ensure a good connection. Now you won't have to steal service from your neighbor anymore. Another option is this DIY method we've recommended.

Click here for more Tech Tips.

SwitchedImprove Your Wi-Fi Performance originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>base stationBaseStationhouseholdroutertechtipwifiwirelessFri, 20 Mar 2009 14:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Terrorist Web Threat May Be Over-Hyped, Says Report]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/12/terrorist-web-threat-may-be-over-hyped-says-report/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/12/terrorist-web-threat-may-be-over-hyped-says-report/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/12/terrorist-web-threat-may-be-over-hyped-says-report/#commentsFiled under:

Interent's Role in Nurturing Extremism and Terrorism is Overstated

We've heard it said that a terrorist's most powerful weapon is the Internet. For our part, we've seen no shortage of stories about extremist recruiters using Facebook, or Twitter, or even 'World of Warcraft' to further their dastardly deeds. We've always been a bit incredulous, and now a report from the International Center for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence backs that up, indicating most terrorist networks are offline affairs.

The report, called "Countering Online Radicalization: A Strategy for Action," indicates that attempting to block access to online content is ineffective, that "[radicalization] is largely a real-world phenomenon that cannot be eradicated by simply 'pulling the plug.'" The report goes on to explain that the growth of terrorist networks is primarily done through real-life social activities, not online ones, concluding:
While the Internet provides a convenient platform for activists to renew their commitment and reach out to like-minded individuals elsewhere, it is largely ineffective when it comes to drawing in new recruits. Many experts who have studied the problem have concluded that the Internet can support and facilitate but never completely replace direct human contact and the ties of friendship and kinship through which intense personal loyalties form.
So, that's one less thing to worry so much about online. Now if only we could do something about all these worms. [From: Fox News]

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SwitchedTerrorist Web Threat May Be Over-Hyped, Says Report originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defenseinternetnetworknetworkingsafetysecuritysocial networkingSocialNetworkingterrorismterroristterroristsThu, 12 Mar 2009 10:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Virus Tip: How to Disable Print and File Sharing in Windows XP]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/20/disabling-print-and-file-sharing-in-windows-xp/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/20/disabling-print-and-file-sharing-in-windows-xp/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/20/disabling-print-and-file-sharing-in-windows-xp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Disable Print and File Sharing

One of the first things you should do if you think you have a virus is to quarantine your PC and disconnect from your home network to prevent the infection from spreading to other computers in your home. You don't want to disconnect from the Internet entirely however or you won't be able to download updates for your anti-virus software. Doing this on a Mac (in Preferences: Sharing) or in Vista (go to the Network and Sharing Center) is (relatively) straightforward, but under XP it takes a little maneuvering. Here's how to do it:

Disable File and Print Sharing:
  • Right click on the network icon in the system tray and choose "Open Network Connections"
  • Right click on "Local Area Connection" and select "Properties"
  • Under the "General" tab uncheck "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks"
Disable Network Discovery and Simple Sharing:
  • Open "MyComputer"
  • Click on the "Tools" menu and open "Folder Options"
  • Under the "View" tab uncheck "Automatically search for network folders and printers" as well as "Use simple file sharing"
This isn't a perfect solution, but it will put up an additional road block between your computers and the nasty virus you've picked up.

SwitchedVirus Tip: How to Disable Print and File Sharing in Windows XP originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>file sharingFileSharingnetworknetworkingsharingtechtiptechtipswindowswindows xpWindowsXpxpFri, 20 Feb 2009 15:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Wi-Fi Hotspots Could Spread Viruses, Experts Say]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/01/28/wi-fi-hotspots-could-spread-viruses-experts-say/http://www.switched.com/2009/01/28/wi-fi-hotspots-could-spread-viruses-experts-say/http://www.switched.com/2009/01/28/wi-fi-hotspots-could-spread-viruses-experts-say/#commentsFiled under:

Digital Wi-Fi Virus Outbreak Modeled
Scientists use computer simulations to model all sorts of things, from the spread of weather patterns to the spread of disease. But a quartet of researchers at the Indiana University School of Informatics are actually using a computer simulation to simulate other computers, attempting to determine how quickly a widespread attack on public Wi-Fi access points would spread across its user base.

Hau Hu, Steven Myers, Vittoria Colizza and Alessandro Vespignani created a model of known public access points in seven metropolitan areas, including downtown Manhattan. They then used known statistics (like, for instance, 40-percent of all Wi-Fi points have no protection at all), and simulated a sequence of events that, in a mere two weeks, would result in 18,000 infected access points in New York City. In this case, "infected" means hackers' gaining access to the Wi-Fi router and modifying it to automatically distribute viruses and steal information in a way similar to that of the Zlob malware we covered last year.

If there's some good news here, it's that the simplest of protection mechanisms on your wireless router can prevent it from being compromised. Don't know where to begin? You can start by clicking here. [From: BBC News]


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SwitchedWi-Fi Hotspots Could Spread Viruses, Experts Say originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>modelroutersafetysecuritysimulationtopviruswi-fiwirelessWed, 28 Jan 2009 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Popular 'WPA' Wi-Fi Security System Cracked by Expert]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/11/07/popular-wpa-wi-fi-security-system-cracked-by-expert/http://www.switched.com/2008/11/07/popular-wpa-wi-fi-security-system-cracked-by-expert/http://www.switched.com/2008/11/07/popular-wpa-wi-fi-security-system-cracked-by-expert/#commentsFiled under:

WPA cracked in 15 minutes or less, or your next router's free
They always knew it could be done; that a hacker with enough time and processing power could watch your WPA-protected wireless network and, eventually, decrypt your precious datas. In under 15 minutes, though? "Inconceivable!" those hypothetical security experts would say -- but they're about to get a lesson from Wi-Fi wizard Erik Tews. He'll be giving a presentation next week at the PacSec Conference in Tokyo, describing the "mathematical breakthrough" that, he says, enables him to crack WPA-TKIP -- which, until now, has been considered one of the most secure ways to keep your Wi-Fi network private -- in 12 to 15 minutes.

There are some limitations, as the data sent from a connected device to the compromised Wi-Fi router is apparently still safe, but anything headed the other way is wide open, and could even be supplanted by bogus bits sent from a Cheetos-munching hacker slouching in a rusty Ford Taurus in the parking lot.

Don't believe us? Tews was the guy able to crack WEP in under a minute last year, ironically advising people to switch to WPA ASAP at the time. We can only assume WPA2 is next.

SwitchedPopular 'WPA' Wi-Fi Security System Cracked by Expert originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>erik tewsErikTewshackhackersPacSecrouterrouterssafetysecuritywepwi-fiwifiwpawpa2Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:56:00 EST<![CDATA[New Malware Can Alter Your Wireless (Wi-Fi) Router and Steal Your Info]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/06/12/new-malware-alters-wireless-router-settings/http://www.switched.com/2008/06/12/new-malware-alters-wireless-router-settings/http://www.switched.com/2008/06/12/new-malware-alters-wireless-router-settings/#commentsFiled under: ,

Zlob, one of the most common pieces of malicious software (according to Microsoft), has undergone a frightening transformation. After infecting a victim's PC, Zlob checks to see if the computer is connected to a wireless router (the device that helps create the Wi-Fi hotspot in your house). If connected, then Zlob attempts to gain access by using a list of common and default username and password combinations.

Assuming Zlob gains access to the router, the software then changes the DNS settings on the router to send all traffic through a hackers' servers first. DNS servers act like a phone book for the Internet, connecting the user readable addresses like Switched.com to the IP addresses that are understood by computers.

Unfortunately, most people don't bother changing the default password on their routers, thus making it easier for Zlob to infiltrate computer networks and potentially steal personal data and information.

Avoiding being beaten by this attack is relatively easy. First, set up proper security software on your PC (anti-virus and a firewall) and keep it up to date. Second, always change the default administrator passwords on your equipment, especially your router. If an attacker is able to gain access to your router, it can access your entire computer network. [Source: Washington Post]

SwitchedNew Malware Can Alter Your Wireless (Wi-Fi) Router and Steal Your Info originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsdnsdnschangermalwareroutersecurityzlobThu, 12 Jun 2008 15:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Home Networks Hackable Via Web Browsers, Researchers Find]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/researcher-creates-code-to-externally-hack-into-routers/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/researcher-creates-code-to-externally-hack-into-routers/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/researcher-creates-code-to-externally-hack-into-routers/#commentsFiled under:

Engadget reports that Dan Kaminsky, a researcher at IOActive (a computer security company), has created a method to take control of routers, including those manufactured by Cisco's Linksys and D-Link. Called a "DNS rebinding attack," the maneuver uses JavaScript to force your Web browser to change your router's (the device connecting your computer(s) to the Internet) settings, giving a hacker access to your home Wi-Fi or wired network.

Interestingly, Kaminsky says that the problem isn't in the routers -- it's a Web browser issue. His work demonstrates how hackers could take advantage of the design flaws in Web browsers to gain access to your files and network. Hopefully, the technique's demonstration at the RSA Conference in San Francisco this week will raise awareness about these issues.

The good news is that the method isn't perfect because it only works on unsecured routers. What does this mean for you? If you haven't set up a strong password on your router yet, we recommend you do it as soon as possible -- here's a quick tutorial.

From Engadget and PC World

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SwitchedHome Networks Hackable Via Web Browsers, Researchers Find originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>routersecurityWed, 09 Apr 2008 08:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook Costing Businesses $264 Million Daily in Lost Man Hours]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/09/12/facebook-costing-businesses-264-million-daily-in-lost-man-hours/http://www.switched.com/2007/09/12/facebook-costing-businesses-264-million-daily-in-lost-man-hours/http://www.switched.com/2007/09/12/facebook-costing-businesses-264-million-daily-in-lost-man-hours/#commentsFiled under: ,

Workers Can't Stop Wasting Time on FacebookVanishing staplers aren't the only employee-related phenomena bleeding the corporate world dry. According to a new study by U.K.-based employment law firm Peninsula, roughly £130 million (or about $264 million U.S.) is lost per day by British corporations due to office workers dillydallying on Facebook. That's the equivalent of 233 million employee hours per month. And British companies aren't the only ones suffering: Australian security firm, SurfControl, conducted a similar study of its own and found that Facebook was swallowing $5 billion (Australian) a year, or the rough equivalent of $4 billion U.S.

The loss of cash and man hours is starting to garner attention amongst businesses, which are looking for a way to deal with the social networking phenomenon. Many companies have already started blocking the site in an effort to regain lost productivity and discourage employees from wasting of time. Several companies in America already block sites such as Facebook and MySpace and sometimes even block access to personal e-mail. They consider these measures ways of preventing information leaks and maintaining a productive working environment.

Gabbing around the water cooler is dead. In its place is updating your Facebook status.

From the BBC and Reuters

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SwitchedFacebook Costing Businesses $264 Million Daily in Lost Man Hours originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking+newscompaniesfacebookmyspacenetworkingproductivitysocialtopwasteWed, 12 Sep 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Barack Obama Joins LinkedIn]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/09/11/obama-joins-linkedin/http://www.switched.com/2007/09/11/obama-joins-linkedin/http://www.switched.com/2007/09/11/obama-joins-linkedin/#commentsFiled under: ,

Obama Joins LinkedIn
In his quest to leave no social-networking stone unturned, Barack Obama has joined the professional networking service LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site that allows you to do many of the standard social networking things such as send messages, connect with your friends, and create profiles, but instead of listing the bands you like and fending off requests from porn bots and jail bait, you are asked to fill in your education and past employment information. It's essentially an online resume service with the added bonus that former and current employers can endorse you.

Interestingly, you can't even upload a picture or tweak with the overall format of your page, but that's not what LinkedIn is about, anyway. It's really about networking on a professional level. The site has been around for a couple of years, but for some reason it's taking off lately -- we're getting about four or five requests to link with business acquaintances every day.

If his MySpace and Facebook friends lists are any indication, Obama seems to already have a lock on the young and Web-connected crowd. But now he seems to be selling himself to an older and more established professional crowd -- after all, the average age of users on LinkedIn is 29, which is slightly older than the average Edwards or Clinton fan.

As of this post, Obama only had a couple hundred contacts on his LinkedIn profile, which is a relatively barebones resume of his work history and goals for the presidency, but we imagine it'll grow with time, if LinkedIn's current popularity is any sign.

From Tech Digest

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SwitchedBarack Obama Joins LinkedIn originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Barack ObamaBarackObamabreaking+newsfacebooklinkedinmyspacenetworkingObamapoliticspresidential electionPresidentialElectionsocialtopTue, 11 Sep 2007 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[MySpace Asked to Identify Sex Offenders]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/05/15/myspace-asked-to-identify-sex-offenders/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/15/myspace-asked-to-identify-sex-offenders/http://www.switched.com/2007/05/15/myspace-asked-to-identify-sex-offenders/#commentsFiled under: ,

MySpace Asked to Identify Sex OffendersThe attorneys general of North Carolina, Connecticut, Idaho, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio and Pennsylvania have issued a letter to MySpace asking the social networking giant to supply a list of the registered sex offenders who use the site. According to a statement by North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, the demand comes after law enforcement agencies in those states identified 200 cases of kids being "lured out of their home by predators they met on MySpace."

Unlike public chat rooms that can be patrolled by the fuzz, MySpace allows direct and private contact between predators and potential victims, making them harder to catch.

Unfortunately, when asked to turn over sex offenders in the past, MySpace has claimed that producing such a list would be impossible until there is national legislation requiring busted pervs to register all of their e-mail addresses. According to a Wired article from last year, however, this claim isn't entirely true. With no assistance from MySpace, Wired's reporter ran a program that compared MySpace members against a list of sex offenders in 46 states. The program was able to identify 744 confirmed sex offenders with profiles on the site.

Hopefully, this letter from the states will convince MySpace to clock a little overtime for the safety of its younger users.

From Newsvine

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SwitchedMySpace Asked to Identify Sex Offenders originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 May 2007 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childchildrenmyspacenetworkingonlinepredatorsocialTue, 15 May 2007 09:22:00 EST