Networking Basics: Learn How Networks Work
Not too many years ago, a home could function normally with just one computer with a direct connection to a modem and the Internet. Not anymore. Today a family of five can easily have a desktop computer, a few laptops, a couple of tablets and several smartphones. And everyone wants to be online to check…
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For as long as there are computers connected to the Internet, there will be hackers trying to make life miserable for everyone. That’s why firewalls were created for computer users: to block a hacker’s attempts to break into our computers and computer networks, either at work or at home. A firewall is a protective system…
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A firewall is a security device that can be a software program or a dedicated network appliance. The main purpose of a firewall is to separate a secure area from a less secure area and to control communications between the two. Firewalls can perform a variety of other functions, but are chiefly responsible for controlling…
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Public Wi-Fi is great. It’s convenient, and it’s free — it always feels good when you can save a few megabytes of your mobile data. But do you ever stop and think for a moment before connecting to a public Wi-Fi network? The emergence of evil twin Wi-Fi hotspots indicates that you should. Evil twin…
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When you sign up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), you will either end up with a static IP address or a dynamic IP address. What’s the difference between the two? Haven’t you ever marveled at how the internet knows how to get information directly to your computer? It’s not magic: your IP address is…
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Every time you use your computer or smartphone to go online, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) is working in the background. While you probably will not have to configure your DHCP settings unless you’re a network administrator, it’s still good to know what DHCP is and how it works. In this guide to DHCP, we’ll…
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DD-WRT is a Linux-based firmware project developed to enhance the performance and features of wireless Internet routers. Launched in 2005, DD-WRT is one of the most popular alternative router firmwares due to its longevity of existence and support for a large array of devices. As of now, DD-WRT has builds for leading routers from top…
[Read More]When you send an email, read a news story on your computer or shop online, you’re sending information and getting information digitally, or electronically. It make look like you’re sending a whole photo of your new poodle to Aunt Jane and Uncle Louie across country, but it’s actually a collection of electronic data, in small…
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