While discussing default settings, I mentioned changing default administrative passwords and IP addresses. These two steps are important to help protect your access point. If you fail to do these things, it can be easy for an intruder to take control of it. Once he does that, he grants himself legitimate...

Yes! I can get a watch just like Dick Tracy had. (Now all I need is a flying car, and I'm all set.) Well, the watch is almost like Dick Tracy's; for now it's a receive-only device, but it's still cool. Starting in the fall of 2003, Microsoft began rolling out its MSN Direct service, which delivers information...

With all the media coverage that computer crime gets, you might think it was the number-one cause of data loss. It isn't, but many people and organizations focus their energy on securing their systems against crackers and script kiddies and often ignore the more likely threats to data. Do you want to...

Securing your laptop is the simplest way to deter theft. Thieves want to pick up a laptop and walk away. They don't have time to fight with a cable and lock, and don't want to be seen doing so. I've heard the argument that any thief with a set of bolt cutters can cut the cable and run with the computer....

You have a huge collection of CDs and you wish you could have instant access to all of them without having to sort through stacks of discs. What can you do to avoid this? You can rip your entire CD collection to MP3 audio files. Because MP3 audio is compressed, it takes up much less space on a hard drive...

Clearly labeling your device can reduce its resale value for criminals and aid its return. Manufacturers label laptops with stickers or plates with serial numbers. Thieves can remove these, often without much difficulty, making it easier to sell them and more difficult for you to prove ownership. There...

You can install security software that utilizes biometric technology to authenticate you and prevent unauthorized persons from viewing your data. Unlike a password-only system, which crackers can sometimes defeat, a biometric system requires unique biological identification (usually a fingerprint) to...

One of the coolest toys around is the home theater PC (HTPC). The HTPC is a fully functional computer that's optimized for playing and recording video and music. An HTPC contains all the usual computer components (hard drive, DVD/CD player or recorder, and video card) but may also include a high-definition...

There are ways to tweak software that can improve the performance of your network connections, especially your Internet connection. Because most of these adjustments are operating system- and vendor-specific, I can't review them all here. However, there are a few things that you can do that continually...

When selecting the type of backup solution and media that you will use, there are four main factors to consider. The importance of each varies from situation to situation. You may be most concerned with speed and reliability, while another person may be more concerned with cost. Backup or recovery speed...