Broadband - How To Secure Your Wireless Network

It wasn't all that long ago when personal computers where restricted for offices and wealthy households. Moreover, computer networks where practically unheard of in residential settings, such technology was reserved for large office buildings - things however, have progressed considerably over the years.

One of the most common methods to share a broadband connection within homes and offices today is using wireless technologies.

Although such technology has revolutionised the way people can access networks and the internet it does have a major disadvantage, one that was not prevalent with coaxial cables or the more familiar CAT5 network cable; this being security.

The technology that comprises a wireless network usually consists of a wireless router; wireless receivers (generally USB dongles or built in antennas); and in some cases one or more repeaters (if the signal needs to span an exceptionally long distance).

Once set up, the wireless router will happily start broadcasting and accepting information within a certain radius. This essentially means that your next door neighbour (or anyone in range!) could be accessing your network, and leaching your internet connection - which as well as invading your privacy could be costing you money if you have a broadband usage allowance.

So, the first line of defence is to familiarise yourself with your network and your routers configuration options, which are usually accessed via a browser window

Router manufactures tend to apply the same SSID (the networks name) and login details for all of their routers, so to begin with, changing these to something more personal is the first line of defence.

Following this you should apply some form of encryption, the popular choice being WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), the later of which is the most secure. This involves applying a specific "key" that any computer attempting to access your router will need to input.

Lastly, possibly one of the best ways to ensure only devices of your choice have access to your router is to establish MAC filtering. MAC or Media Access Control is a unique code given to every physical network device.

Therefore, finding out the MAC code for each device in your network (this can prove difficult to the untrained so referring to the manufactures manual is recommended) and inputting only these addresses on your MAC filter list will ensure only they will have access.

In conclusion, securing your wireless broadband network is relatively easy, with a wealth of broadband sites out there offering helpful information and guides you're never far from help. Such sites often allow you to compare broadband packages, as well as offering expert help.

The Future of Broadband - What's Next For the Internet?

Broadband is nothing less than the next wave in economic expansion. Advanced economies evolved from being production-driven to service-driven and are now poised to become knowledge-driven. Broadband may provide the network environment necessary to make that transition - constant connectivity and the ability to quickly process large quantities of raw data.

National Broadband Network The National Broadband Network (NBN) will replace the last mile of copper wire with optical fibre, allowing end-user access by 90% of Australian homes and businesses. The remaining will have broadband access through wireless and satellite options. It's estimated that the first open-access services will be available in July 2010. The NBN is essential to the future of broadband, recognising it as critical infrastructure with the potential to add billions to the economy and to create countless jobs.

Economic Benefits of Broadband Accenture issued the 2001 report, "Innovation Delivered - Broadband for Australia, An Economic Stimulus Package" in which it estimated broadband would deliver an increased $12 billion to $30 billion per annum. A more targeted study, The Yorke Peninsula Report, estimated broadband's state-wide benefits at $11.2 million per annum by 2010. Many studies posit a marked gain in productivity which leads to economic expansion.

Forecasting Broadband's Impact The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) contracted a study, "Reliability of the Internet." This study forecasted the future of broadband through 2017 and asserted, "The prevalent trend in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector is the convergence of systems and architectures towards Internet Protocol (IP) -based networks." Analysts foresee data, voice, and mobile network infrastructure convergence, dramatically expanding the role of the Internet in Australians' lives.

Forecast Through 2010 Through 2010 we may see widespread IP network convergence; businesses would likely move to virtual private networks over the public Internet. This period may also see widespread deployment of Next Generation Networks - these offer a sole platform for supporting multiple applications like data, voice, and multimedia. Other potential developments include widespread traffic prioritisation for quality-of-service-reliant applications, deployment of Internet-based health monitoring systems, and deployment of the NBN.

Forecast Through 2012 Through 2012 we may see IPv4 address space run out, leading to a gradual migration to IPv6. It's possible that CCTV and security monitoring will begin to be conducted over the Internet. IPTV might replace traditional broadcasts. We may see the addition of many new submarine cables and the expansion of existing cables. But it is not all good news: we may also experience a rise of cyber-attacks on Internet infrastructure.

Forecast Through 2017 Through 2017 it's possible we'll see the widespread use of RFID-enabled technologies, remote-control surgery systems, IP-based 4G mobile networks, the replacement of both fixed and mobile telephone lines with VoIP services, and widespread connection of networked appliances to the Internet. This ubiquitous computing and networking might well raise privacy and security concerns. It would likely lead to an increased reliance on the Internet for everyday activities. As a result, nations may overtly initiate cyber-warfare, which would cause defence and intelligence organisations to place greater priority on information warfare.

In 2006 the DCITA released its "Broadband Blueprint," stating: "As equipment capabilities grow, broadband will come to underpin the future connectivity requirements of the whole economy." The future of the Internet will be defined by constant connectivity. And that is where broadband is pivotal: connectivity is productivity.

This broadband information guide brought to you by Michael Rock at BroadbandBuddy.com.au. Get more great broadband advice & guides, compare hundreds of broadband & VoIP plans & find cheap Internet deals on Broadband Buddy at: http://www.broadbandbuddy.com.au/

Creative Networking Flourishes With Mobile Broadband

It seems that the best way to make new friends in contemporary society is by sitting directly where you are, in front of the computer screen. The increasing growth and popularity of social networking services has spawned an entirely new kind of relationship building atmosphere, in which you learn the intimate details of a person's life without ever even knowing what their voice sounds like in real life. When it comes to building a network of substantial proportions, this kind of friend making can be hugely important. In turn, a whole array of individuals have decided that doing so requires much more than a fast hardwire connection, it requires wireless internet.

The tactics for meeting people and growing ones' professional contacts have evolved tremendously over the past decade or so. Whereas rubbing elbows and attending social gatherings was once the standard way of making connections, these outdated options have given way to cyber networking that takes place without stopping with the help of mobile broadband networks. By typing away from your laptop computer or portable electronic device, you can quickly and easily get connected with people halfway across the world. In this way, global marketing and sales have expanded exponentially over the past ten years or so, and will only continue to do so as the World Wide Web hold its ground.

The safer that monetary transactions become online, the more frequent that groups and individuals all the way up the economic ladder will begin to rely on them. From backs to small-time transactions of money, using the web to safely and securely take care of business has become among the leading ways in which people pay bills, get paid, and even make a living in some cases. Thanks to wireless internet services, the time frames in which one is capable of taking part in these matters have quite literally, been eliminated.

Now that everyone in cities and towns all over the country can finally rely on their mobile broadband provider to guaranteed fast and efficient service without interruption, there has been an increasing amount of financial activity taking place for people on the go. While they take care of practical matters, the ability to reach out to new friends and contacts has also grown significantly. The simplicity of 'making friends' has warranted a whole new way of getting to know people and expanding outside of one's realm. For professional purposes, this has never been so valuable.

You don't have to be a creep in order to make new contacts and extend your social network. Websites that are devoted to connecting people have implemented privacy settings that enable you to protect your private information from those who shouldn't be viewing it. In this way, ensuring a safe and healthy line of communication with friends, family, and professional contacts is rightfully secured. When you make the most of high-speed networks such as 4G, your line of communication becomes that much more fluid, accessible, and advantageous to your professional and personal growth.

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Broadband - Social Networking Safety

Social networking websites have become part and parcel of our daily lives. And with a multitude of different services available to us, the choice is endless.

Combined with an increase in cheap broadband packages now available to us, more of us are now using the internet to keep in keeping in contact with friends and family, finding employment and just generally sharing silly pictures.

For others it can become an obsession - with some worrying about who could possibly be leaving comments on their message boards, becoming conscious about e-mails and updating their status every five minutes or so.

And as broadband connections are becoming more widely available to us, more of us are making use of these sites. But studies have shown that, whilst our attitudes towards social networking may have changed, our awareness of the risks of putting our personal details online still remains one of the grey areas of such services.

A recent study carried out by OFCOM has helped to shed some light on the trends of social networking. The results showed that it was mostly young people who made use of the services available on social networking sites, with an estimated 49% of children aged 8-17 having a profile online.

And with broadband services becoming more widespread, there are calls for greater awareness and promotion of online safety for surfers of all ages.

Coupled with the recent Byron Report, which focused on the influence of internet content and computer games on young people, parents are now being advised to keep an eye on information their children may be posting online.

And with more of us now putting personal details on our profiles, it could be seen as an easy target for cyber criminals and marketing associations.

There is now pressure on the world of social networking to ensure that children are protected, calling for a use of age verification, better profile security for young people and access to 'panic buttons' which can be used to report suspicious activity while surfing the internet.

As levels of cyber crime and identify theft are on the increase, there is a growing call to take steps to protect our personal details online, be it through social networking or spam e-mails.

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