Fournier Computer Service

How Can I Share Internet, Printers & Files Between Computers

Simple:
With a proper network you can share an Internet connection, and even share a printer or files and folders between several computers. All you need is a router (sometimes built into modems but not always) and to have the network settings (and router) setup correctly.

Details:
A conventional home router has a built in firewall and manages the barrier between all of your computers and the outside world. Once everything is setup you can share the local resources of one computer, such as local files and printers, with any other computer on the network. These shared resources will not be seen by the modem or anything on the other side of the router's virtual barrier.

Is Wireless Dangerous 

Simple:
It can be! But, it doesn't have to be. Your neighbor, and even strangers driving by your house are given the opportunity to connect to your network. Once on your network it is significantly easier to get into your computer, spread an infection, or even take control of your router. In same cases, they could even download music or movies illegally and if caught the Internet connection is registered in your name. Luckily a router can be setup properly for your needs to prevent these actions.

Details:
Think you are safe because you trust your neighbors and who would honestly stop in the road to use your Internet? Think again! There are many people who purposefully drive around looking for wireless networks to connect to. It is so popular it even has a name: War Driving.

But don't be afraid. Wireless networks have ways to prevent this from happening. Unfortunately, most people just plug in the router and go. From the factory - routers from the same brand have the same password - meaning anyone can get into them if you do not change the settings. Also, they do not have any security enabled by default.

If you ran the CD that came with the router you are better off than most. However, just because you have a password does not mean you are protected. There are 3 ways (currently) to encrypt your wireless password. One of those ways can be undone in 60 seconds or less. For security reasons a wireless router should be set up correctly.

 Can I Make My Wireless Network Safe

Simple:
There are usually security options for everyone. There is no possible way to make any computer 100% safe unless it is turned off and any computer on the Internet (wired or wireless) is at risk. However, wireless does not have to be insecure. Adding a password with secure encryption will prevent most people from getting on the network unless you give out the password to that person. Just because you have a password does not mean it was setup with good encryption. One of the popular encryption methods is easily broken in less than 60 seconds. Using the right encryption is important.

Details:
For added security, you can use a stronger password. You can also tell the router to stop broadcasting the name of your network. While this feature isn't truly that much more secure it does prevent the casual person from trying to get onto your network.

For maximum security you can even set the router to only communicate with certain physical hardware. Creating a "whitelist" of the devices you own, and rejecting any other computer or device - even if it has the correct password. This makes it harder to add computers to the network but makes for the best security.

What Is The Difference Between Wireless B / G / N

Simple:
The different letters used indicate different communication speeds and frequencies. Wireless N is the newest and fastest standard - but don't be tricked! The speed of your router will usually not affect the speed of your Internet and I have never met a customer who was limited by the speed of their Wireless G Router / Computer. (see the next question)

Also, the speeds (letters) of the router and computer must match for communication to be possible. Fortunately, 99% of all routers and computers are backwards compatible - meaning they can communicate at the designated speed, or the next slowest speed. Meaning a new Wireless N router should work fine with your Wireless G computer.

Details:
Officially IEEE 802.11 B, G, & N each specification has different frequencies, bandwidth, distances, and quirks. You may even still see devices labeled as N-Draft or N-Draft 2. Why? The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the organization that decides the final specifications for 802.11 and before the standard was voted in, manufacturers began following the first "draft" of the proposed standard. Small changes were made and the draft was resubmitted (draft 2) before finally being accepted. Unfortunately, early devices did not communicate well with devices from other brands as the standard was adapted before becoming official. 

Currently, 802.11 B has fallen from use while G & N are the most common residential devices. Note that that data speeds include packet overhead and actual throughput will be less.

• 802.11 G -  2.4 GHz, up to  54 Mbps
• 802.11 N - 2.4 GHz, up to  72 Mbps
• 802.11 N - 5.0 GHz, up to 150 Mbps

Will A Faster Wireless Router Make My Internet Quicker

Simple:
Probably not. Most consumers get fooled by advertising and sales people into thinking that their computers will run faster with a faster wireless router. This would be about as true as saying that an Olympic gold sprinter can ride an elevator faster than your grandmother. In truth, a Wireless N router is faster than a Wireless G router. However, the speed of the Internet coming into your home is almost certainly slower than both. Upgrading to, or purchasing a faster router will only provide you the same speed Internet.

Details:
The average speed of your Internet connection is likely to be slower than the Wireless 802.11 G standard. In some cases, this will not be true. Look at the next FAQ section for more information about Internet speeds. In general, the average person - and even the above average person would never notice an increase in bandwidth above 3 Mbps even with multiple computers in the house. A website might be 100 KB in size meaning that a 3 Mbps connection can theoretically load the website in just over .03 ( three one-hundredths of a second).

Even if you share the connection with multiple computers the chances of loading a website at the exact same time is very slim. But - in the event that it happened, you may not notice .06 seconds as being slow. Not imagine that Wireless G has a data rate of 54 Mbps. The reason your Internet seems slow is based upon other factors.

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