Tiger Computer Networks

posted by admin on Mar 8

Drive up and down any neighborhood with a Laptop and wireless network card and chances are very good there is an unprotected wireless network waiting for anyone to connect. Imagine the hacker or your neighbor who has been using your connection and possibly capturing all data being transmitted over the Network. Your Email, Bank and Credit Card account information vulnerable and out in the open for anyone to steal.

If this sounds like your home wireless network, it’s time you put security in place and lock out unwanted guest. Beyond the oblivious security measures, changing and disabling SSID broadcast, turning off your wireless router when not is use, these 5 tips will secure a home wireless network in layers, and give the boot to even the most seasoned professional.

Tip #1 – Do Not Use DHCP – Using DHCP is very convenient, especially for intruders. DHCP automatically hands out IP addresses to any who successfully connects to your Network. When disabled, every computer or device must be manually assigned an IP address. All computers, printers and devices on your network will need to be manually configured with static IP addresses. The threat of just handing out access is eliminated and you gain more control over who can connect to the network.

Also consider changing the router local IP address to something other than 192.168.1.1 that most wireless routers are configured by default. Use an address of 10.0.0.x for the router and for assigning IP addresses to devices on your network. Changes to the defaults set by the router manufacture will help keep intruders guessing and keep them off the network.

Tip #2 – Change The Router Default Password – While this may seems like the most logical task when setting up a wireless router, many people ignore changing the password. You will be surprised how many people think just using encryption on their wireless network will prevent someone from gaining access to your router.

With router vendors using well known default passwords such as admin for Linksys, Dlink and Netgear, encryption will not stop intruder access to the administration interface and gaining access to more than just your Network.

Best practice is to change your password using a complex password. If your name is Joseph, you can easily mix alpha, numeric, and special characters to make a password you will never forget such as J0s3ph!r0ut3r*

Tip #3 – Implement The Strongest Form Of Encryption – This can potentially be the weak point of your Network, since wireless signals transmit over the airways. A hacker does not need to be connected to the Network to steal data. Use the highest encryption available. such as WPA-Personal or WPA2 with a long pass phrase mixed with alpha,

numeric and special characters. Ignore anyone who advises you to at least use WEP, which is a very weak form of encryption.

WEP (wireless encryption protocol) is one of the earliest form of encryption and the easiest to break. You will be at risk by not upgrading to a better wireless router, that offers newer encryption technology. If you run a home business, or use online banking, there is no excuse to protect your self by making a small investment for security.

Tip #4 Enable MAC Filtering: A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier, similar to fingerprints for people. MAC’s are assigned during the manufacturing of a network device, such as a network card or Wireless adapter. Enabling MAC Filter allows you to control which wireless-equipped Computers may or may not communicate with the Router depending on their MAC addresses and not allow any Computers that have not been added to the list.

Tip #5 – Secure Your Computer – Gaining access to your home network from your router is not the only entry point that exists. The sites you visit and protocols used, if not trusted, can be an invitation to theft of identity.

What do I mean by protocol? An example of a protocol is HTTP, HTTPs, FTP, etc. When creating username and passwords on websites such as financial related sites should always use HTTPS. These sites may need to install Java applets or ActiveX controls which could contain malicious code that can create a backdoor into your network remotely.

Make sure the site is authentic by verifying the certificate used and never respond to emails that claim account information is needed. Avoid being tricked into thinking it is your financial institute or site where you made a credit card purchases. Antivirus and Spyware software should always be up to date as well as making sure your Computer has the latest patches installed.

Protecting your home today involves more than just deadbolts and alarms. With technology creeping into your house in the form of wires, cables and airways, securing your personal data today involves, information, knowledge and good common sense.

posted by admin on Mar 1

Before I go into the 6 reasons why I pick Network Marketing Opportunities over Franchises – every time, let me share with you next. I come from 3 generations of self-employed. I was privileged to a complete a personal and confidential insight into many different businesses, franchise and non. From the opportunity research, to market research, to due diligence. I also evaluated businesses as a business broker in my early days. Needles to say, I think I know a thing or two about owning a good business. Having said that, let’s talk about the bad and the ugly of Franchise Opportunities:

Lease: most of the franchise opportunities out there will require you to have a space according to their specs, which in most cases is a leased, retail space. This investment is one of the biggest and major investments you will make, besides your inventory and we will discuss that in a minute. To get the best rates on your lease you will usually have to sign a 3-5-year lease, and it will consist of the base rent and the shared rent. The shared rent is made up of utilities, and maintenance of the common areas in the building. So what you agree on as rent amount is only part of it.

Network Marketing – no lease requirements. You move, your biz moves…no big deal, all you really need is WIFI and a cell phone. Your bedroom, your office, your backyard pool, sandy beach, snowy mountains, gulf course…it will all work.

Space/Construction/Equipment: the space itself, fixtures, and equipment in it are required to match the specs laid out by the franchisor. When they deem it needs to upgrade, you have no choice but to make an additional investment and upgrade. They choose the design, the colors, the set up, the fixtures and so on, even if you have a better, more efficient, or more economical idea. The amount of the investment in your space is therefore, dictated by them, not you. And you will NOT get it back if you get out of the game too early.

Network Marketing – no retail space or special equipment required. These days everybody owns a computer. If you want to get fancy, get a wireless network card and take your work places.

Inventory: one of my biggest pet-peeves is inventory. A ton of money invested in something that sits on the shelves while you hope and pray the customers come and buy it. Even though, on an average it takes 3-6 mos. before things start somewhat moving and shaking, a lot of franchisors will require you to keep buying inventory through that period.

Network Marketing – no inventory requirements. It’s all online and shipped from the home office directly to them.

Marketing Cost: if I’ve heard it one time, I’ve heard it a thousand times. When franchisees start negotiating for their marketing, they are often told by those companies, that they have seen people with the same company come and go and they do not have the marketing plan detailed correctly; therefore, they need to really spend a lot more than what their home office suggests. Many times that is true, if you did not do good due diligence and did not pick the company who has it right. But you are under tremendous pressure to make the franchise fees/royalties to the home office, and you don’t have much room for “testing” the market on your own. You have to bet it all on red or black. Feeling lucky yet?

Network Marketing – no spending amount required. You call the shots.

Staff: My other biggest pet-peeve. Most of the new franchisees pick the wrong type of staff or tend to overpay them. And here is the kicker, when they don’t show up for work, and you are not overstaffed, YOU have to go do the work yourself. Believe it or not, I had people not show up to pick up their paychecks. I kid you not. I’ve seen it all.

Network Marketing – no staff required. You decide how big you get, and you do not depend on ANYONE but yourself.

The choice is clear: less upfront investment, less liability, and by far a lot more independence. Network Marketing is sweeping the entrepreneurial playground.

Come and play “Millionaires” with us.

To YOUR ultimate success,

Aleksandra

M2 Certified Master Consultant Ultimate Life, LLC

www.UltimateLifeWealth.com

posted by admin on Oct 18

If you never have had a credit card before and are desiring to get one, there are some things you must know before applying for one. Read on and we’ll take a look at some handy advice that can help you find the best card out there.

Prior Credit – Some of the easiest cards to get are the store cards. You know: Sears, Macy’s, J.C. Penney, and the like. In many of these cases all you need to do is fill out an application, share some work information, and within moments you can get a card. By getting this type of a card and making payments monthly you can quickly prove that you are worthy of additional credit. Consider gas cards too such as Shell and Exxon.

Bill Paying History – If you have an account with the phone company, a cell phone vendor, the electric company, or the cable company and have paid your bills on time, then you probably have good credit established already.

With these two points in mind, now you can shop for a card that is right for you. Discover, American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are the biggest network cards out there and their cards are usable most anywhere. Generally, wherever Visa is accepted so is MasterCard; millions of merchants around the globe.

Once you have narrowed down your card network, and then start shopping for a card. Things you must ask yourself include:

Do I want to pay an annual fee? Or, are annual fees waived for the first year?

Do I want a low APR or is a variable rate APR okay with me?

Is a balance transfer option important? How about balance transfer fees?

Will I be paying off my card every month or carrying balances?

Is receiving rewards important to me? What kind: airline miles, hotel stays, cash back?

How long is the grace period? 25 days or will I be assessed interest charges immediately?

What other perks are important to me? Travel insurance, road service, etc.

Once you have determined what you want, then shop for a card meeting your criteria. Dismiss all of the cards that don’t fit your needs and narrow down the list to 3 or 4 cards. From there on, read all the fine print to learn exactly what you want in a card. Chances are it’ll be mostly a judgment call from this point forward as many cards are quite similar to each other.