Welcome to the first Monday of the new year. Today, you’ll learn how to start the year off right with your home network.
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Are you making this huge Wi-Fi mistake?
Entertaining guests? They’ll want access to your Wi-Fi, but it’s a pain to give out your login repeatedly. Get tech-smart. Post a QR code in your home that automatically signs in guests on your home network.
Now, if a hacker gets into your home network, they can access your personal information. Should you set your home Wi-Fi network to public or private? The answer might surprise you.
It’s not what you think
Having your home Wi-Fi network set to private would be the most secure, right? That’s actually incorrect. But don’t let the sloppy terminology confuse you.
When you are on your home network and have it configured as private on your computer, your PC is undiscoverable by other devices connected to the same network. So, in this case, the public Wi-Fi setting is more secure than the private one. Yes, you read that right!
If you want to share files or send documents to a family member in your home on the same network or your home printer, you’ll need to have your network set to private.
When the network is private, your printer will recognize and connect to your computer to receive the documents you want to print. Clear as mud, right?
Let me summarize it again to be clear:
- Private network: Use this setting only for networks you control or trust. When a network is set to private, your PC is discoverable to other devices on the network. You can use it for file and printer sharing.
- Public network: Use this to connect to public networks, such as an airport or hotel Wi-Fi. Your PC will be hidden from other devices on the network.
Did you know your printer can be a gateway for hackers to wreak havoc? Here are five ways to lock down your printer.
How to change your network from public to private
If you need to share files, print or otherwise make your devices discoverable to one another, set your network to private.
5 signs your security camera was hacked and steps to prevent it
When setting up a home security system, you must password-protect your Wi-Fi and set up two-factor authentication (2FA). Hackers could take over your home network if you don’t take these precautions.
Safeguards like these can help stop a digital home invasion. Hackers are increasingly breaking into home security cameras, taunting and extorting people. A security oversight on your part could open the floodgates for a criminal to launch a reign of terror on you and your family.
Must-do tech cleanups for your inbox, network and gadgets
The best way to embark on a new year is to start fresh. After all, you can’t make a new beginning if you’re tied to the past. Tech issues can hold you back when you’re trying to leap forward.
Cleaning up your tech is one of the best ways to obtain a clean slate. By tidying up your tech, you can ensure they’re working in tip-top shape. Tap or click here for five ways to quickly clean up digital junk.
Chinese hackers are going after American routers - How to protect yours
Your router is a crucial part of your home’s connection. It’s the primary way the internet gets into your house, and it sends out the Wi-Fi signal that connects all your wireless devices.
Has it been years since you updated your router? We put together a quick quiz to help you choose the perfect model for your home and needs. This is a must if your connection is spotty and your router isn’t equipped with the latest security standards. Tap or click here to take our router-finder quiz.
Tech how-to: Create your own custom QR codes
When you entered a restaurant years ago, you received a paper or laminated menu, and that was that. Since then, many establishments have adopted QR code menus. Scan the code and view the menu. This concept has moved to retail establishments and service providers like doctors, mechanics and universities.
Unwrapped new gadgets? 10 ways to lock them down
Ah, a shiny new tech toy. In the eyes of a hacker, that’s a great way into your home’s network.
Most people don’t realize how important it is to properly secure your internet connection and router from snoops, hackers, and moochers. Tap or click for five smart steps to keep hackers out of your home network and sensitive files.
Emergency update for Chrome - Patch now to fix zero-day flaw
Operating systems and browsers are constantly receiving updates. Some are needed for cool new features, but others fix newly discovered flaws. Tap or click here for a Windows update that fixes 55 bugs and significant vulnerabilities.
Millions of smart devices are vulnerable to hackers! 6 ways to protect yourself
When you think about the risks of hacking, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it that your computer could be taken over by some unnamed cybercriminals?
Actually, anything connected to a network is also at risk of being hacked, including the fitness tracker on your wrist and your smart home devices. Tap or click here to find out which internet-of-things devices are at high risk of cyberattacks.
Easiest way to find your router's default IP address and password
Each time you buy a new router, it comes with default settings that need to be changed. But where can you find them? If you’re not sure where to start, this website can help. It lists all the routers out there, as well as their default IP address, usernames and passwords.
If you have this TV, it has 3 critical bugs so update the firmware now
If you own one of these smart televisions, you need to know about these three critical flaws that have recently surfaced that might allow hackers to get into your network and wreak havoc.