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I’ve been using wireless broadband connection for a few years and sometimes I would click on the “view available networks” option to discover many unsecured wireless network being detected. Anybody looking for free bandwidth can just tap into these unsecured networks can do so without breaking a sweat and easily utilize it for malicious or illegal activity.

This is a disconcerting trend and I cannot understand why people choose not to secure their wireless networks which range usually extends beyond our homes into a street or a neighboring property. Do they love WiFi so much that they want to share their wireless love all around?

While it is an offence to tap into a wireless network without authorization, owners should put the onus on themselves to take preventive steps to secure their networks from exposing to security risks.

Here I share 4 simple steps of how I secure my wireless network:

1. Chang default settings
The default login user name and password for accessing the router’s web-based configuration menu is commonly set as “admin” and “password” respectively. Make sure to change these default settings the first time you login.

The default name for the router’s service set identifier or SSID usually corresponds to the brand of the router – e.g. “linksys”, “dlink” or “default”. Leaving the factory-set SSID unchanged makes it a more attractive target for would-be hackers. Again, make sure to change the default SSID.

2. Stay invisible
Most (if not all) routers have the option to turn off broadcasting of the SSID. Hackers with “sniffing” software will still be able to sniff out your network but it would at least remain invisible to neighbors and casual passer-by.

3. Set up encryption
Open or unencrypted networks are like houses with wide-open doors. Unencrypted networks are susceptible to snooping – anybody within range can access into.

It is prudent to set up encryption on your wireless network. The newer standards WPA2 and WPA are better secured than WEP which skilled hackers can broke into. Even so, setting up at least WEP is better than no encryption as anyone looking for a free “ride” is likely to choose an open network over encrypted ones.

4. Turn off router when not in use
Switching off the router is the ultimate way to keep out intruders, you can save on electricity costs too. You’ve just got to flick that switch.

The above 4 steps have served to protect my wireless network well so far. Do you take preventive measures to protect your wireless network? How effective or ineffective are the measures you’ve taken?

I have been using Firefox almost exclusively (with the only exception being sites that I cannot use it for as they specifically require Internet Explorer) since converting from IE which was almost force down the throats of all PC users. Without a shadow of a doubt, FireFox has become my preferred choice of web browser.

Hence, it was with much anticipation that I looked forward to the released of FireFox 3 on 17 of June 2008, and what did you know? I got the latest version of course, and in the process of downloading the browser helped set a world record for the most software downloads in 24 hours!

So if you have been looking for a more secure web browser, or want to be in the forefront of cutting-edge surfing experience, or maybe you just think it is time for a change then take the plunge and give the new Firefox 3 a whirl.

Download Firefox 3

This post was inspired and created after reading and commenting on Michael Kwan’s blog post. In it, he talked about one of the ill trappings of modern society - net addiction, and how people treat the Internet as if their lives depended on it. That led me to embark on a little research on the topic, which eventually cumulated into this post.

International Shutdown Day is back for the second year running, this time on 3rd May, 2008.

Shutdown Day was founded with the sole purpose of spreading awareness about the pitfalls and dangers that lie in the excessive use of television, computers, and computing equipment like game boxes, cell phones, music players, online social websites, etc. that impinge on social space and interaction amongst our communities.

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Photo from ButterflyShaValentine’s Day is here again. It’s that time of the year where love is in the air and being mushy is the order of the day. A day where love-struck couples stroll hand in hand whispering sweet nothings under the star lit skies and professing their undying love commercially, in every sense of the word, with extravagant dinners and over-inflated priced flowers.

If you have already booked a table for that lavish dinner, pre-ordered the bouquet of roses, and had the full celebratory works all planned out way ahead, then well and good for you.  For those still struggling to find any restaurant with tables available, I say forget about it! Yes, ditch all those last minute plans, save yourselves from being exploited by businesses quick to bank on the notion that how much you spend equate how much you love your partner and join me on an eco-friendly and meaningful Valentine’s Day.

Here are 5 un-traditional ways you can celebrate a meaningful and waste-free Valentine’s Day with your loved ones:
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OK, so I didn’t go running around photo shoot sessions and playing the fame game. But I was spending much time playing an online game, one that helps improve my vocabulary and at the same time help reduce world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free! I’m referring to the online vocab game over at FreeRice dot com. For each word players get right, FreeRice donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Prgram to help reduce world hunger. Yes, isn’t that a noble cause? I’ve since “donated” tens of thousands grains of rice.

Who pays for the donated rice?

The rice is paid for by the advertisers whose names you see on the bottom of your vocabulary screen. This is regular advertising for these companies, but it is also something more. Through their advertising at FreeRice, these companies support both learning (free vocabulary for everyone) and reducing hunger (free rice for the hungry).

The rice is distributed by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), the world’s largest food aid agency, working with over 1,000 other organizations in over 75 countries. See where the rice goes to.

Before I end this post with a video about FreeRice, I urge you to go over to Free Rice and make your contributions to help reduce world hunger. Spread the words to your families and friends. Remember, no amount is too small, every grain counts!