Wi-Fi is a crucial component within most workplaces, primarily due to its convenience. However, it is just as crucial that these workplaces aren’t sacrificing their security for the sake of this convenience. That’s why we wanted to share a few tips to help you keep your use of Wi-Fi as secure as possible.
You are going to inevitably be in the position where using public Wi-Fi is better than not using any Wi-Fi at all. The issue with this is that public Wi-Fi is considerably more dangerous to use than the secured in-house network of your office. How can you maximize the productivity of your business’ staff while on the go, without sacrificing security by allowing them to use public Wi-Fi to access important data?
We’ll discuss some of the reasons why a public Wi-Fi connection might be putting your data at risk, as well as what you can do about it.
Why Public Wi-Fi is So Dangerous
You’re walking down the street and you need to access something important on your smartphone. However, you don’t want to use your mobile data plan to do so. Instead, you’d prefer to connect to a local wireless network. Tracking down the closest mobile hotspot, you find yourself at a coffee shop where the connection doesn’t have a password. You access the data you need, but you have no way of knowing whether or not everything you do on the network is being monitored.
Hackers frequently like to lurk on busy public wireless connections for this express purpose. Since there is no barrier for entry, they can simply log onto the network and take advantage of its lack of security features. Therefore, your business’ devices need to have some sort of security measures implemented so that public Wi-Fi doesn’t put your sensitive data at risk.
Password Protection is Key
You might remember how your company’s in-house wireless network is secured by a credential. These passwords should always be used when possible, as there is otherwise no way to guarantee that your company’s network isn’t open to just anyone. In fact, we recommend setting up multiple wireless networks--one for your in-house staff and network, and one for any visitors (still protected by a passcode). This way, you can partition your network in such a way that only your staff can access specific information, while you still provide wireless access to those visiting your office.
It’s key that any public wireless network that you access have some sort of encryption protecting it from letting just anyone log in. If you notice that there is a wireless network, but no passcode, try asking someone who works there--or look for a poster with the code on it. You should also ensure that you do this for your own wireless networks.
Try a Virtual Private Network
If your organization wants to ensure anonymity while out of the safety of your own office, consider implementing a virtual private network, or VPN. VPNs implement encryption for any data traveling to and from a network, meaning that any onlookers will be sad to see that they’re only getting a jumbled mess rather than anything worth stealing. A VPN is certainly necessary for a company that has remote employees or likes to take their business on the go.
Does your organization require a VPN? To learn more, call us today at (844) BIZ-EDGE.
Words are always changing to meet the needs of the times. As they grow in usage, new words are added to dictionaries on a daily basis. Today’s Tech Term, dongle, is one of these words. Have you ever heard it being used before? It might sound a bit silly at first, but dongle is a word that is used in technology more often than you might think.
Dongle is typically used on the consumer side of technology. These dongles can be found pretty much everywhere, ranging from adapters for headphones to streaming devices that can be plugged into televisions or other devices. From a technical standpoint, just about any device that can be plugged into a computer through the USB port can qualify as a dongle.
The official definition for dongle, in terms of computer networking, is any small device that is plugged into a computer to allow a network connection to be made. These are most often used in modern USB devices. This term doesn’t necessarily include all USB devices, and certainly not those that are used for storing data. However, it does apply to USB devices like Wi-Fi dongles that allow a device to connect to a wireless network.
Where did this name come from, though? There’s a theory that the term came from the word “dangle,” or that the term itself was a popular one for the developers of the Commodore PET Computer from 1977. This computer used a similar dongle to boost its memory, which might be a more believable connection.
Even though the term is ridiculous at best, dongle is a word that has stuck around and will continue to do so until we figure out a better word to describe these strange little pieces of technology. For more tech terms, subscribe to our blog.
A slow Internet connection should be the least of our worries, but somehow, this most minor of inconveniences can be one of the most frustrating experiences in modern computing. Fortunately, there are a few ways to potentially improve your connection. At the very least, they might help to explain why your connection suffers.
Router Problems
If you use a wireless connection to access the Internet, the issues you encounter may be due to the router you use. An older router simply won’t be able to deal with more advanced Internet standards, and therefore will not be able to reflect the improved speeds that go with them. An upgrade to a new router may be your best bet in this case.
Alternatively, you may just not be in a good place in relation to the router in the office. Most offices will be more than a single router can handle, and other things in the office can interfere with the signal. Elevating your router can help cut down on this interference.
Interference from Other Devices
Chances are, your router operates at a frequency of 2.4GHz. As it so happens, chances are pretty good that your office microwave operates at 2.4GHz too. The more devices there are that function at the same frequency in the area, the more interference there will be to deal with. If there are other businesses or residential users in the area, their network could cause some difficulties in yours as well. If your router works with other frequencies, it will also try to find the clearest channel when it is rebooted, minimizing interference.
Outdated Service
There may be the chance that your plan with your Internet service provider is outdated. If you haven’t made inquiries with them into your service options, you should. You may find that there is a better option for you available.
Have other technology issues that you need assistance with? Reach out to BEI at (844) BIZ-EDGE.