Turn Windows 8 PC into Wi-Fi Hot Spot

In Windows 8, Microsoft quietly removed a useful networking feature: ad-hoc networks.
In Windows 7 (and previous OSes), the tool could turn your PC into a Wi-Fi hot spot, allowing it to share its Ethernet or other Internet connection with other devices by broadcasting its own network.

So, if you paid for Internet access at a cafe, or you're at work, and want to share your PC's Internet with your phone or tablet, this feature would let you do that.

It is very possible to do this in Windows 8, but the built-in method requires fiddling with the command prompt. And for some of us, walking into that black abyss is daunting.

Instead, check out Virtual Router Plus. It's a free, open-source program that does the geek work for you, allowing you to quickly fire up an ad-hoc network whenever you need one.

Once you've downloaded the file, extract it, and launch the VirtualRouterPlus file within that folder. There's no real installation here -- the program will simply launch.

At this point, setup is easy. Enter a name for your network, then choose a secure password with at least eight characters. Finally, choose the connection you want to share (there will most likely only be one choice), and click Start.

To test it out, grab your phone or tablet and connect to your newly created Wi-Fi network. If it doesn't show up, stop the connection on your computer, and hit Start again.

Also remember that your computer needs to stay awake and running to keep its ad-hoc network alive. So, tweak your power settings if need be.

Author: dfgdfg,

Categories: Hotspot, Networking, Virtual Router Plus, Wi-Fi

How to measure wireless router performance

Are you getting all that you can from your wireless router? How do you know? If you're not getting the same range or throughput as you used to, something may be awry. Here's how to measure your wireless router's performance to make sure that it's running at its best:

Signal strength
To measure signal strength and to identify the active wireless channels around you, we recommend using a program called inSSIDer.

When you launch inSSIDer, you'll notice a list of wireless networks around you, including your own. Each network's signal strength is displayed in the RSSI column. The signal strength is updated in near real-time, so you can actually move around with your laptop to observe fluctuations in signal strength.

Throughput

To measure throughput, download and install a program called QCheck, by Ixia. It's a free download, but you'll have to register to get the download link e-mailed to you.

Install QCheck on two computers--one that's plugged into your router via Ethernet and one on a wireless computer. Each computer with QCheck installed is considered an endpoint. Alternatively, you can install QCheck on just the computer you'll be running the QCheck console on, then install Ixia's Performance Endpoint software on the partner computer.

After starting QCheck, enter the IP address of Endpoint1 (the PC running the QCheck console) and Endpoint2 (the partner PC). Select "Throughput" in the Options section and click the Run button to get your throughput results.

That's it. Your wireless router's signal strength and network throughput measurements will help you confirm whether or not your wireless network is performing as expected. If not, these tools should also help you narrow down the cause.

Author: dfgdfg,

Categories: Networking, Router, Wi-Fi, Wireless

Apple Accused Of Swiping Student's Wi-Fi Sync App For iOS 5

Apple unveiled its new mobile operating system, iOS 5, this Monday at the Worldwide Developer's Conference  to much fanfare. But some are now saying that one of the OS's key new features, Wi-Fi Sync, which allows users to synchronize the contents of their music libraries without having to plug their devices into computers, was largely based on an app submitted to Apple months before.

Greg Hughes, a college student in the U.K., submitted an app called Wi-Fi Sync to the Apple Store in May 2010. The app let users access their iTunes libraries wirelessly, without docking a portable device to a computer, reports The Register. Sound familiar?

Hughes was rejected from the store, but not with a standard form email. Instead, an Apple rep personally called him to let him know that the app did not meet certain security standards and would not be allowed in. He also asked that Hughes send along a resume.

Undeterred, Hughes began to sell the app in the Cydia store, which peddles apps for jailbroken iPhones, at the price of $9.99 a pop. Since then, it's sold over 50,000 copies.

Apple's own Wi-Fi Sync feature, a part of the upcoming iOS 5 mobile system, not only performs the same function as Hughes' rejected app, but even has a strikingly similar logo (see here).

“Obviously I was fairly shocked,” Hughes told The Register. "I'd been selling my app with that name and icon for at least a year. Apple knew that, as I'd submitted it to them, so it was surprising to see that.”

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Author: dfgdfg,

Categories: Apple, iPhone, itune, Tech News, Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi Hot Spots: 6 Ways To Use public Wi-Fi hot spots safely

Places like Starbucks, neighborhood cafes, Airports, and universities are all jumping on the "free Wi-Fi" bandwagon--hey, it's trendy. As a result, more of us are connecting to these networks without realizing the security risks.

But did you read the fine print? Wi-Fi hot spots are unsecured networks that hackers like to take advantage of. Everything--including your data, account information and passwords, Google searches, and finances--can become available to the hacker who wants it badly enough.

So before you pay your bills or write your genius business plan at the local cafe, get to know these six useful practices:

1. Be aware that you're never secure. 

Wi-Fi hot spots are always unsecured connections, so you and potential hackers are hanging out in the same network bubble. It's not difficult for one to tap into your activity and sniff out your personal information. So, even if a hot spot requires a password or guides you through a log-in screen, you're still at risk.

2. Harness built-in security tools. 

Mac OS X and Windows have built-in security features that you should take advantage of. Enable your firewall (through security settings) and check off "Block all incoming traffic." This setting will keep most of the bad guys out. Disabling file sharing (shown in the video above) is also an important security measure.

3. Protect your passwords. 

Hackers can retrieve saved passwords from your Registry or install keyloggers, which make your keyboard activity available to them (including passwords you type in). Install something like LastPass, a browser add-on that stores your passwords in the cloud--you'll never have to type a thing and passwords won't be saved on your computer.

4. Look for the padlock. 

Web sites that use HTTPS encrypt your activity, so anything you do on that site is confidential. Look for a padlock in the address bar, or simply check the URL for "https://..." Not all Web sites do this, but you can download HTTPS Everywhere, an add-on that will force an encrypted connection on many popular sites.

5. Check the network name. 

In an attempt to lure you in, hackers might set up fake networks like "FREE Public Wi-Fi", or "Starbucks FREE." Check with the venue's employees to confirm the name of their network.

6. Use common sense. 

You should treat all open networks as a security risk. Don't do any banking, online shopping, or other activities that would expose your private information. If you wouldn't be willing to share it with the public, it can wait until you get home.

Do you have best practices for using Wi-Fi hot spots? Share with us in the comments below!

Author: dfgdfg,

Categories: wep-cracking, Wi-Fi, wifi-cracking, wifi-hacking