Tired of Spotty Reception? Boost WiFi at Home

Boost Wifi Reception at Home with These Tips

Wi-Fi makes connecting to the Internet seem like magic.  There's a wonderful signal passing through the air that makes my phone work faster and unplugs my laptop from the cable - miraculous!  If you're affected by slow speed or bad reception, however, staying connected can be a drag.  Try these tricks to improve your home or office WiFi.

Step one: consider your hardware. 

If your router is even a few years old, it may be time to upgrade.  A router that’s slow or incapable of transmitting a lot of data at once will compromise your whole network.

Anyone using an older generation of wireless router (designated as Wireless-A, -B, or –G) should consider upgrading to a Wireless-N router, especially if you have multiple systems connecting simultaneously, stream HD video to your computer or TV, or play online games.  Wireless-N supports a larger bandwidth, meaning your network can process more data simultaneously.  It won’t get bogged down as quickly by multiple devices getting online at the same time or accessing a large file.


While Wireless-N routers are backward-compatible, the best performance improvement requires that your device support a Wireless-N connection as well.  This may require that you upgrade the WiFi access card in a desktop or laptop.

Step two: eliminate interference.

If you have neighbors with WiFi networks in close enough proximity, it can interfere with your network’s stability.  There are a number of channels routers can operate on and if you're using the same channel or one too "close" to your neighbor it will degrade your signal.  WiFi Stumbler (www.meraki.com/products/wireless/wifi-stumbler, free) is a network locator application that provides a graph of the channels available to you.  Choose a channel with the most space around it as possible.  It's OK to pick up some competing signals near you so long as they're weaker than yours.  Don't choose a channel with a strong competing signal - pick a one that keeps its distance from other signals.

If you have a lot of electronics in or around your home, you may also benefit from a "dual band" router.  Single band routers operate on the 2.4 GHz band, a relatively crowded signal interface used by many wireless phones, microwaves, baby monitors, and many more common electronics.  A dual band router operates on both the standard 2.4Ghz radio and less crowded 5Ghz radio, offering a signal that’s less prone to interference.  If you can’t upgrade to a dual-band router, move your router as far from conflicting appliances as possible.

Step three: location, location, location.

WiFi transmission can be blocked or weakened by obstructions between the router and the device. Don’t hide it away in a cabinet - position your router centrally, without too many thick walls to block its signal.  Point antennas vertically and elevate it if possible.  WiFi signals travel best down and sideways, so placing your router in the attic or a on a high shelf may give your signal a little boost.  One caveat: if it drops signal often or requires frequent resets, make sure your router is easily accessible.

Stay tuned next week for more ways to improve the strength and reliability of your WiFi network.

 

Avoid Social Media Scams with These Tips

Stay Safe by Avoiding Social Media Scams

From identity theft to fake contests to "send me money" scams, Facebook and Twitter are host to all manner of Internet criminals looking to swindle unsuspecting users out of money or information.  Don't fall victim!  Here's how to identify and avoid the most common social media ploys.

Tug at your heartstrings. Most people want to help someone in need, and criminals are on the lookout for any way to exploit this.  Within hours of the Newtown Connecticut shooting, "victims" pages popped up everywhere.  Some of these were created by scammers asking for donations.  Another common ploy is to hack into your friend's account, then send you a private message asking for money, claiming to be traveling abroad and stranded.  The easiest way to avoid this one is to contact family members to verify they really are traveling before even thinking of sending money.


The lure of "free stuff."  Whether it's a Starbucks Gift Card or an offer from Cheesecake Factory that tempts you to click, resist the urge.  This scam is a phishing attempt wherein the culprit tries to get hold of your personal and/or financial data in order to sell it or use it to perform identity theft, credit card fraud, etc.  You'll be prompted to fill out a survey, likely with personal information, which will in turn be used to harass or spam you outside of Facebook or Twitter.  You'll also spam all your friends with messages about the fake offer.  When in doubt, never give a 3^rd party Facebook application access to your personal information.  If you suspect you may have done so accidentally, visit your Account Settings page, click on Apps and remove anything you don't recognize, trust and want to have access to your personal data.

"Improve" your Facebook experience. Come on, you know you wanted to add that "dislike" button.  How about changing the color of your Facebook profile?  Both of these lures will have you filling out surveys with personal information and spamming all your contacts to do the same.

Curiosity killed your account.  You receive a Direct Message with an alluring question: "Is this YOU in this video?"  Click on the link and you're prompted to download an update to your Flash player that is really malware.  Hidden code within causes a Facebook "like" to appear on your timeline, encouraging your friends and family to click and become victims as well.  Both Twitter and Facebook were hit hard with these malware attacks last year.    Another popular one offers to let you "see who has viewed your profile." It’s just another ploy to gain access to your personal information through surveys and malicious applications.

They offer you easy money, for a fee.  Whether it's a promise to make thousands of dollars working from home, or the offer of a dream job as a Mystery Shopper, any "job" that requires you to pay up front is most definitely a scam.  Be suspicious of anything that sounds too good to be true.

Word to the wise: always check where a link is directing you before you click.  Hover your cursor over the link without clicking it - the website will display in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.  I once received an email telling me my account was going to be shut down because it had been hacked.  The email contained a link I was to "click on to verify my identity."  My warning bells rang.  Instead of clicking the link, I contacted customer service, and I was glad I did.  There was absolutely nothing wrong with my account.  If you're ever prompted to "confirm your email account," or "verify your password" following a link you received in a private message or an email, don't do it.  Go directly to the website and log in from there.

There are resources at your disposal if you suspect a fraud.  Snopes (www.snopes.com) tracks Internet scams, rumors and misinformation.  Arm yourself with info about the latest scams through the Better Business Bureau: go to http://www.bbb.org/scamstopper.  Facebook itself has a "scams" page in their help section.  They provide tons of information about making your account more secure so you're protected in the future.

 

 

 

Options for Computers for Seniors in Your Life

Computers for Seniors

When you think “cutting edge technology,” you probably don’t think “senior citizens,” but recent advances in technology are aimed at making life easier for grandma and grandpa, as well as those that care for them.  These devices make it possible for the less tech-savvy to stay connected to friends and family and for remote caregivers to monitor health and wellness.

Associate Professor of Psychology T.J. McCallum, Ph.D., of Case Western Reserve University conducted a three-month study wherein he found that seniors that used technology had higher self-esteem and greater social interaction than those that did not use technology.  Social media, email, online gaming and video chat offer a great way to connect with friends and family or find support among the many interest groups hosted online.  Yet many seniors are unfamiliar with computers and/or have difficulty navigating the Internet, and the learning curve for new technology can be steep.


The drawbacks are that it’s pricey for the specifications: 2 GB of RAM is pretty paltry and a 1.8GHz processor won’t be winning any speed tests.  It’s not meant to be upgraded, though on the bright side that means that you won’t be installing additional programs to use up the few available resources.  In order to remain simple the software is locked down.  Grandma won’t be using Gmail or hotmail, but instead the Telekin supplied email.  One user pointed out that it’s only available in English, but frankly I’d welcome never getting a panicked call that the computer is suddenly only “speaking” German.

Advances in home monitoring have allowed many seniors to extend the time they can remain at home, while offering remote caregivers peace of mind.  The GrandCare System (www.grandcare.com) uses a dedicated Internet connection and wireless sensors throughout the house to allow designated caregivers to send communication to their loved one, view activity and monitor their health and wellness as they go about their daily life at home.  Sensors track certain kinds of movement, such as if there’s an unusual amount of activity at night, if the medicine cabinet fails to open at the right time, or if the refrigerator is unused for an extended period of time. If grandpa, for example, forgets to take his pills, doesn’t get up at the usual time, or opens the door at an odd hour, a caregiver alert will be sent via text, email or phone.

The GrandCare System also integrates into a touch screen computer hub that’s designed to be simple and easy to use.  Friends and family can send pictures, messages, keep a calendar up to date with appointments or send videos that are viewed with one touch.  Easy access to Skype (for two-way video chat), Facebook and YouTube allows seniors to stay connected.  The system runs about $500 for installation and $100 in monthly fees for a one-bedroom apartment.

Even seniors that don’t yet need extensive monitoring can benefit from systems that will support the add-on of such services at a later date.  Lowe’s IRIS (www.lowes.com/iris) Smart Home technology is expandable.  Today you can use the home security and programmable lighting and climate management; when you need them, additional sensors can be integrated into the system to monitor activity and send alerts to loved ones if something strays from the norm (like if the lights don’t turn on at the regular time or the refrigerator doesn’t open).  The system also supports an emergency alert pendant.

There are a variety of standalone devices that can allow remote monitoring of senior’s health.  From medication management systems that will dispense medication at programmed times and doses, to remote health monitoring systems that allow doctors to track vitals over the Internet, technology is really a senior’s best friend.  If you or a loved one is struggling to find a solution to an elder-care issue I haven’t mentioned, send me an email.  There are many other products that may be able to help.

Six Strikes Anti-Piracy Program Begins

The Copyright Alert System: “ Six Strikes ” Anti-Piracy Program

The last week of February 2013 marked the official launch of the Copyright Alert System, a joint program between major internet service providers, aka ISPs (AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, Cablevision and Time Warner) and entities working to protect content copyrights, such as The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).  This system is also known as the “Six Strikes” Anti-Piracy Program since users suspected of participating in the sharing of copyright-protected material will receive up to six warning notices from their ISP, with escalating consequences for repeat offenders.


Under the program, content creators will monitor public peer-to-peer networks for what they believe to be illegal sharing (i.e. piracy) of their property.  They will provide the IP address of the parties involved to the internet service provider, who will then send a warning to the holder of the account accused of illegal downloading or file sharing.  ISPs are free to decide what consequences to link to each warning, and each has reported a different plan of action.

Most ISPs will send the first few warnings via email to the account holder.  Several providers will require account holders of IP addresses involved in illegal file sharing that receive a third or fourth notice to watch educational videos about legal sources of copyrighted content, acknowledge receipt and understanding of instructional materials, read and click-through messages that appear in their browser via a pop up or website redirect, or call their ISP’s customer support line to participate in an instructional conversation about copyright and legal sources of copyright-protected content.

If an IP address continues to be submitted to the alert system, some ISPs will take more drastic action.  Verizon has reported plans to cap the data speed of repeat offender FiOS customers, leaving them with speeds roughly equivalent to dial-up for two to three days.  Users will be given a 2-week notice before speed is capped in which they can appeal the piracy accusations.  The fee for appeal is $35, but it will be refunded if the American Arbitration Association (AAA) finds in the user’s favor.

Cablevision has announced it will suspend customer’s internet service for 24 hours after the fifth and sixth alerts if the accusation goes unchallenged.

Time Warner, AT&T and Comcast have to-date announced no plans to throttle internet speed or suspend service for repeat offenders.  Instead, their mitigation involves a series of alerts that, if ignored, will steer users toward required instructional conversations with ISP representatives.

Even if you aren’t personally involved in illegal content sharing, account holders are responsible for the actions of anyone on their network.  Program participants hope that receipt of a warning will encourage account holders to take measures to restrict unauthorized activity on their network by talking to household members, limiting unauthorized access by encrypting their WiFi network, and/or installing software or hardware to block access to peer-to-peer sites.

Updated Facebook Newsfeed Coming

Facebook Newsfeed gets Facelift

Facebook users will be seeing a significant number of changes coming from the familiar blue-and-white website in the near future. In a press conference today, Mark Zuckerberg announced that they would be rolling out some dramatic alterations to the website’s layout.

The new layout will come in the form of a news feed redesign. Facebook is attempting to unify the look and function of the website over all devices, including tablets, desktops, and mobile phones.


Another significant change being made is the separation of posts from pages that you like. Users like George Takei, who frequently posts, complained that posts from pages such as his own were getting buried in Facebook’s algorithm and not showing up on users’ feeds at all. In response, Facebook created a separate news feed which displays all activity from pages that you’ve liked in Twitter fashion. It will update live and can be completely customized.

In addition, the visuals have been upgraded to feature content more prominently, instead of the text that users tune out while using the website. Photo albums have been revamped to be front and center, filling the news feed with larger and more efficiently spaced graphics. This trend toward graphics is being implemented throughout the site, leading to a cleaner interface that feels at home on phones and tablets, while retaining the same look on the desktop.

This announcement comes shortly after Facebook announced testing of their Graph Search and about a year after the Timeline change came to profiles. Facebook hopes to be an all-purpose social hub with these changes and recapture some of their user base who is leaving it for other sites.

 

These changes will be rolling out over the next few months, though you can ask to be put on the list of people that it rolls out to first, if you want. Eventually the change will come to everyone, but it will be modified based on how people use it, as well as user feedback. The announcement can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/newsfeed

Get Turn-by-Turn Navigation in your Car

Turn-By-Turn Navigation for Your Car

by Heather Neal

In the "old days," if I was going somewhere new I'd call the business and ask for directions - a daunting proposition since not everyone is "good" with directions.  Those days are thankfully over and today I rely mainly upon the GPS in my car, with a little of my own instincts.  For the vast majority who don't have GPS standard-equipped in their car, how do you get where you’re going?

There are several great turn-by-turn navigation applications for Smartphone users:

Google Maps for your mobile phone (www.google.com/mobile/maps/, free, iPhone and Android) offers a wide variety of features in addition to navigation.  Find any location with a quick search and it'll suggest multiple routes, integrating traffic, highway construction and toll road information so you can avoid delays.  Directions are provided with a voice that sounds more human than machine and knows how to pronounce most street names correctly.  When you make a wrong turn, re-routing happens intelligently so you're not driving all around town to get back on track.  Walking and public transit directions are also provided if you decide not to drive, including estimated travel times and fare information.  Sync with Google Local for reviews of nearby restaurants and save your favorite locations for easy navigation to them in the future.


Waze (www.waze.com, free, all platforms) offers some fun features that may inspire you to give it a try.  It has a social component that automatically shares real-time traffic information and road alerts with other drivers.  Report road delays, accidents and police speed traps you see during your commute and learn about what’s in your path from fellow "Wazers."  Waze will even re-route you mid-commute if there's a better way around such an obstacle.  Share gas prices by reporting them at the pump so everyone can save a couple bucks and Waze will direct you to the cheapest station on your route.  Connect with friends through Facebook to coordinate arrival times if you're all headed to the same concert, or arrange a friend's pick-up: they request it, you accept, and then they can track your arrival time by "seeing" how close you are to them, all through the application.

There's potential risk with phone applications.  Using them while actively driving means picking up your phone to look at it (unless you have incredible restraint), and it's always dangerous to take your eyes off the road fumbling for your phone.  Even if you mount it to your dash, you may find the smaller screen more difficult to see than a stand-alone GPS device.  Do your own cost-benefit analysis to decide what's right for you.

Should you opt for a portable navigation device (PND), there are some must-have features.  A wide screen is vital for easy visibility. Make sure the device lists directions as text in addition to mapping, and it should offer re-routing around highways or toll roads.  Full-featured devices can replace your car's trip computer, serve as a Bluetooth for your cellular phone or even an MP3 player, and prices vary widely as a result based on these additional perks.

The Garmin Nuvi 3490LMT ($250, Amazon.com) is one of the highest-rated PNDs  by Consumer Reports and CNET, and for good reason - it's literally packed with features.  Use it as your bluetooth device for calls and texts.  Voice-activated seamless navigation makes it completely hands-free.  Its thin, sleek design makes it easy to drop in a pocket and improved graphics allow you to view landscapes in 3D.  Lifetime free traffic updates are included, in addition to map updates you can download up to four times a year without a subscription fee.

Those looking for a lower price point should consider the TomTom GO Live 1535M ($150, Amazon.com).  Similar to the Garmin, it has voice recognition, traffic reports (provided to you in HD!) and hands-free Bluetooth calling.  Lifetime Map Updates are included, totally free.  The “cool-factor” lies in its connection to TripAdvisor, Yelp and Expedia to help you choose your route, letting you navigate through areas with the attractions or dining options you prefer.  Integrate with Twitter so you can update family and friends through voice commands, in a safer manner than texting while driving.

With literally hundreds of devices to choose from, boiling it down to two suggestions really doesn't do the field justice.  Do your research, making sure to compare user and professional review sites to find the device that's right for you.

Rumors of Youtube Streaming Music Service Surface

Youtube Streaming Music Service to Come Soon?

There’s already a host of streaming music services available, like Spotify or Pandora, but soon there may be another, created by the most powerful company in the world.

Fortune reported today that “Youtube…will launch a subscription music service later this year.” This information was provided to Forbes by an unnamed source, and Google declined to comment, perhaps testing the waters with their ambitious idea.

The company, which owns Youtube, already has a content delivery network for downloadable content. This service, Google Play, allows users to purchase music, but does not allow anyone to stream without first paying for the song. Many people already use Google’s Youtube to stream music, but the additional streaming of video is expensive for both Google and its users. To put this in perspective, take into account Youtube’s statistics page, which claims that 72 hours of video are uploaded to Youtube each minute. This video is analyzed against 500,000 of copyrighted material (much of which is music), resulting in a total of 200,000,000 videos which have had some sort of copyrighted material in them. Many of these videos were taken down as a result. Being able to stream this, provide royalties for the studios, and reduce the bandwidth, would be a perfect solution to the problem.

In addition, a free streaming music service would allow Google to do what it does best: sell ads. Currently the company sells ad space on webpages, their search results, and before clips on Youtube. This addition would allow them to provide ad space for streaming audio ads, a target medium that Google has no access to.


All this comes shortly after Google unveiled its Glass project, which integrates a small computer into a wearable eyepiece. As it is able to access the internet, any future iterations of the project would allow the users to constantly stream music from their sunglasses. If that isn’t cool, I don’t know what is. Let’s hear it for the Nerds!