COMPUTER SIGHTS

Issue: # 9

March.2008

Computer Tech Tips

Securing your Wi-Fi 

When you turn on your Wi-Fi enabled computer at home or business, do you see a myriad of available wireless networks including your own? You'll notice that some are labeled as secured and others are not secured. If your wireless network is not secured, you're unnecessarily putting yourself at risk for identity theft, computer virus infection, or massive data loss. There are 2 groups of people that will take advantage of your unsecured wifi network 1) neighbors that don't want to pay for their own high-speed Internet access, and 2) war-drivers (hackers). Enabling your neighbors to connect to your wireless network could significantly reduce your Internet speeds. Also, they may have easy access to see you're the files on your computer(s). War-drivers are hackers that drive around in neighborhoods that specifically access unsecured wireless networks for the purpose of stealing your personal files and other personal information. Listed here are 4 easy ways to help protect yourself and your network from these types of unauthorized connections. 1) Configure your wireless access point and your Wi-Fi enabled computers with either WEP or WPA security.  If you already have this enabled, change the passwords on a regular basis. 2) Change the default administrator password to your Wi-Fi access point. 3) Be sure your computer has a firewall enabled. 4) Change the default SSID and disable the broadcasting of your SSID. Consult your access point manual on how to perform these tasks. Of course, our technicians would be happy to help you secure your network. Give us a call to schedule a technician. 

Surveillance Technology

Mandatory Surveillance? 

Did you know that certain types of businesses are required by city ordinances to have surveillance cameras installed? For instance, Florida state law makes it mandatory for businesses that sell groceries or gasoline to have surveillance cameras installed if they are open between 11pm and 5am. With crime on the increase and government budgets being squeezed, law-makers across the U.S. are proposing new bills that will expand the existing laws. As an example, Broward County Florida is proposing that any late-night business have surveillance cameras installed inside and outside to help curb criminal activity and to help police solve crimes. Installing surveillance cameras not only helps solve crimes, but they also help curb customer and employee theft from a business and can be a low-cost way to prevent frivolous lawsuits if a fraudulent claim is made against a business by a patron. For a free surveillance survey, give us a call and one of our specialists can schedule an appointment or to see live surveillance demos, visit our website.

FREE E-Recycling

Computer Sights helps you "go green"..... 

Many homes and businesses are "going green." Going green is an global effort to reduce waste in our landfills and is a great way for you to help protect our Earth. In an effort to do our part, Computer Sights is now accepting e-waste at our retail store. If you have an old computer, laptop, hard drive, keyboard or misc part taking up space at your house or business, bring it into us! We'll reuse or recycle the parts thereby reducing waste when you upgrade or replace your PC's. If you have personal data on your hard drive, we'll be happy to destroy it to Department of Defense standards before recycling it. Give us a call or stop in for more details.

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