Don't Fall Prey to Lazy Password Practices - 10/30/2006 Building strong passwords helps you protect both business and personal data from unauthorized access. But passwords are meaningless if they are too simple or written down where others can access them.
Sharing Calendars and Contacts on a Tight Budget - 10/23/2006 Sharing Outlook calendars and contacts doesn't have to be an expensive proposition. WinPlanet provides a rundown of network-based and hosted alternatives.
Podcasting, Wikis and Blogs, Oh My - 10/16/2006 Just when you thought you might actually have a grip on technology, a whole new raft of tools and terms comes along. We demystify them so that you can decide if they're right for your business.
Networking 101: Understanding NAT and PAT - 10/9/2006 Due in large part to alleged NAT support on consumer devices, many people are confused about what NAT really is.
Do You Really Need a Server? - 9/25/2006 PCs networked in a peer-to-peer fashion are adequate when you have only two or three users on the network. After that you really need to consider investing in a network server. Here's why.
The Art of Transferring Large Files - 9/18/2006 Some files are just too big to send via e-mail. However, you don't have to resort to burning a CD and snail mail. We review the options for getting large files from here to there.
New Notebook, Same Old Wireless Troubles - 9/11/2006 Brand new notebook PC, established wireless network waiting at home ... Everything should just work, right? Our columnist gets a refresher course in troubleshooting.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Wireless Network - Part 3 (Troubleshooting) - 9/5/2006 You wireless network is set up, but what if it seems to slow or unreliable? In the conclusion to our three-part series on wireless networks we look at some common factors that can undermine your wireless network and what you can to improve its performance.
Don't Leave an Internet Trail Behind You - 8/28/2006 In addition to storing Web addresses, AutoComplete can also store usernames and passwords of your accounts. So if you're not careful, AutoComplete could inadvertently allow unauthorized users to gain access to your sensitive information.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Wireless Network - Part 2 - 8/21/2006 Once you've got all your gear lined up, it's time to bring your wireless network to life. Part 2 of our three-part series steps you through what you need to know to easily and securely configure your network.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Wireless Network - Part 1 - 8/14/2006 With the explosion in the popularity of wireless networking comes an avalanche of choices and technologies that can quickly become overwhelming. In part 1 of our three-part series on setting up a Wi-Fi network, we help you assess your needs and pick the right equipment.
What You Need to Know About Web 2.0 - 8/7/2006 Explore the world of Web services, SaaS, AJAX, mashups, and more as we delve into exactly what the broad term of Web 2.0 entails.
Protect Your Network with Content Filtering - 8/1/2006 One of the best ways to maintain the security and performance of your network — whether at home or in a large office setting — is to restrict the material users are able to access over the Internet.
How Fast Is Your Wireless Network? Guess Again! - 7/17/2006 To achieve advertised performance numbers, hardware manufacturers employ numerous techniques. As a result, you need to shop wisely: Two competing products might be capable of 108Mbps, but they do so in different ways and are not completely compatible with one another.
Accidents Happen (Even to Networking Columnists) - 7/10/2006 Accidents happen all of the time: Hard drives fail, viruses and spyware wreak havoc, or sometimes we simply delete things we didn't mean to delete. But no matter how bleak things look, it's important to keep in mind there's almost always a fix.
Removing the IE Restriction on Concurrent Downloads - 6/26/2006 Increase the number of Internet Explorer's simultaneous downloads with this simple registry hack. Plus, how to make Universal Plug and Play work for you.
Safety First: 16 Steps to a Healthy Network - 6/19/2006 Maintaining network security takes diligence and the integration of strong security practices into our daily lives. Here are a collection of easy-to-implement general security suggestions for making your online experience safer and more secure.
Free Business Software Anyone? Part 2 - 6/12/2006 With all kinds of free software tools on the Internet for helping you manage your business, the tough part is separating the wheat from the chaff. This week we continue our look at free productivity software for small businesses.
Free Business Software Anyone? - 6/5/2006 With all kinds of free software tools on the Internet for helping you manage your business, the tough part is separating the wheat from the chaff. Our latest tutorial explores some of the more useful tools for working with online stores, eBay auctions, business management, and more.
Virtually There and Everywhere via Windows XP's Remote Desktop - 6/1/2006 Windows XP Professional's Remote Desktop feature allows you to see and control your office PC as though you were sitting directly in front of it. You may never have to leave home again.
Hassle-Free Multiple Network Configuration to the Rescue - 5/22/2006 Automatic Configuration for Multiple Networks hasn't gotten much recognition, but its transparent operation is one of the most useful features ever integrated into Windows XP.
The Importance of Backup Systems - Part 2 - 5/11/2006 There's more than one way to back up your network. In Part 2 of our two-part series on preparing for disaster, we look at your hardware and software options for implementing an efficient backup strategy.
The Importance of Backup Systems - 5/1/2006 Even though most of us know that we need to do regular backups, the fact is that many us don't. In part 1 of a two-part series, we review why it's important to perform these backups on a regular basis.
Do It Yourself: Roll Your Own Network Cables - 4/24/2006 This one begs the question: Why assemble your own Ethernet cables? Maybe you need custom lengths of cable. After all, coiling a 25-foot cable when you need only two feet is overkill, not to mention a decorating don’t. You won't do it everyday, but having the supplies and know-how to whip up a cable on the spot is handy.
Safeguard Your Laptop When You're Away From Home - 4/17/2006 Wireless networks and Internet cafes have made it more convenient than ever for road warriors to get online, but this convenience often comes at price. Here are some tips to keep your data safe while you're on the move.
The Lowdown on Wi-Fi Security: From Supplicants to Keys - 4/10/2006 While you should never just assume your wireless communication is secure, securing your WLAN doesn't have to be a trial. However, it does help to be aware of — and understand — the complexities.
Trends in Wireless Networking - 4/3/2006 Convergence, security and lower prices continue to be the hot developments in wireless networking.
What VoIP Can Do for You -- and How It Does It - 3/27/2006 Who wouldn't want to pay less for their phone service? That's just one of the advantages VoIP can offer. It helps to understand what the technology is, how it works, and how proper planning makes all the difference between success and failure.
Rogue Access Points: The Silent Killer - 3/20/2006 Rogue access points are the silent killer of wireless network security. The good news is there are numerous steps you can take to minimize the threat.
Networking 101: Understanding IP Addresses - 3/13/2006 Networks don't work without addresses: Whenever you are sending something, you need to specify where it should go and where it came from. To be able to troubleshoot your network, you need to understand IP addresses.
Wireless Connectivity Starts at Ground Zero - 3/6/2006 Setting up a wireless network in your home shouldn't be a major project, but one thing can stand in the way of unsuspecting users — it's called Wireless Zero Configuration and you gotta have it.
Why All Networked PCs Need AV Software - 2/27/2006 Many computer users mistakenly think that if they run anti-virus software on the computer connected to the Internet all PCs on the network are protected. Plus, tips for new Mac owners and how far can Ethernet cables reach.
Installing a Cable Modem: USB vs. Ethernet - 2/13/2006 Cable modems will operate fine connected to either a USB or an Ethernet port. Your cable provider may not tell you, but one is a much better choice. Plus, everyone talks about using secure passwords, but what constitutes one?
Making a Case for Remote Access - 2/6/2006 An attorney leaves a big firm to open his own practice and discovers he needs access to his office PC from the road. We outline the options, which range from installing a virtual private network to using a simple Web-based service.
Wi-Fi Authentication and Encryption Demystified - 1/30/2006 A curious reader eager to understand how wireless encryption and security works runs two scenarios by our columnist. Read on to find out if logical assumptions pan out in the world of Wi-Fi.
Managing With Unmanaged Switches - 1/23/2006 While it's true that managed switches are technically superior to unmanaged switches, that superiority comes with more complexity and the need for a network engineer to get the best performance. For those reasons, unmanaged switches are best for small networks.
Your SSID Isn’t Hidden Forever - 1/17/2006 Don’t let the disabling of SSID broadcasting give you a false sense of security. Learn what really happens.
Just Filtering Your MAC Won't Do Jack - 1/3/2006 In addition to running MAC filtering, you need to add multiple security layers to protect your wireless network. Plus, when your computer is misbehaving and all else fails, start over from scratch.
What to Do When You're Branded as Spam - 12/19/2005 If you send an e-mail and it bounces back to you with a message that it was blocked by SORBS, the problem lies with your service provider's open relay mail server. Here's what you need to do to resolve the situation.
