Stop Bandwidth Stealers: 11 Tips to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal

Wi-Fi Boost Checklist

• Update router firmware
• Update network adapter
• Choose a good location for the router
• Replace the original antenna
• Try a high-gain antenna
• Use a second router as an access point
• Use a Wi-Fi booster
• Remove signal obstructions
• Change the Wi-Fi channel
• Use inSIDDer
• Stop neighbors from stealing your bandwidth

1. Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal With Updated Router Firmware

          Updating router firmware -- something many of us forget to do -- is an important first step to boosting your wireless signal. Keep your firmware up-to-date to ensure optimal device security and performance. If you're not sure how to update your router firmware, this PC Magazine offers sound advice on how to find and download updates for consumer wireless routers.

2. Update Your Network Adapter for Best Wi-Fi Performance

         It takes two to tango, so updating the firmware on your PC or laptop is another good way to improve your wireless connection. Your router could be blasting out high-quality, light-speed Wi-Fi but if your device is operating with outdated firmware, well… it's the equivalent of drinking the Atlantic Ocean through a straw.

3. Find the Best Place for Your Wi-Fi Router

         Realtors often cite "location, location, location" when extolling the virtues of a home. The same is true for Wi-Fi routers. Network performance is affected by distance, so place your router in a central location. Wi-Fi doesn't travel well through walls or floors constructed of dense material like brick or marble, so avoid putting your router in a nuclear bunker or at the bottom of a well.

4. Replace the Antenna to Boost Wi-Fi Signal

        Many auto racers replace the original engine in their car with a more powerful one in order to increase performance. Replacing your router's built in antenna with a stronger, omnidirectional antenna will help boost your Wi-Fi signal.

 DID YOU KNOW...? A common misconception is that the term Wi-Fi is short for "wireless fidelity," however this is not the case. Wi-Fi is simply a trademarked phrase that means IEEE 802.11x.

5. Consider a High-Gain Antenna

        In this instance, high-gain has nothing to do with the weight one puts on after mowing through three cheeseburgers and a jumbo pizza. High-gain antennas can be a costly solution but are a great way to boost your Wi-Fi signal if one's existing router supports the addition of an external antenna.

6. Use a Second Router as an Access Point to Boost Wi-Fi

       Just like using an extension cord to bring electricity closer to when you need it, using a second router as an access point can boost your Wi-Fi signal quite nicely. To help make configuration of this option less troublesome, try employing an access point from the same manufacturer as your router. PC Mag offers some great tips.

7. Try a Wi-Fi Booster (Extender)

         Repeaters and extenders can help broaden the range of your existing Wi-Fi. The concept of these two solutions is the same but with an extender you will likely need a different SSID requiring its own login. Third party testing has revealed which ones do the best job of covering dead zones. Need a little more help? Try Webopedia's SSID definition to get started.

8. Remove Obstructions to Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength

        Just as one removes their sibling from their line of sight when trying to finish the last mission in Grand Theft Auto V on Xbox, it's a good idea to get rid of any obstructions which may be blocking your wi-fi signal. Placing your router in an elevated location helps too.

9. Choose the Right Wi-Fi Channel

        Breaker-breaker: get off this channel. Though most users don't change the channel on which their router is broadcasting Wi-Fi, it is possible to choose a different channel. For maximum throughput and minimum interference, independent research has shown channels 1, 6, and 11 to be the best choices. 

10. Use  inSSIDer to Maximize Your Wireless

        Third-party services such as inSIDDer allows a user to visualize their wireless environment in order to adjust one’s router settings for maximum performance. Diagnostic tools will help you determine if all your access points are visible, if you are on the right channels and evaluate your signal strength.

11. Stop Neighbors From Stealing Your Bandwidth

         It's not just your lawnmower and household tools that your neighbor won't return. They could, inadvertently of course, be stealing your bandwidth. Employing complicated passwords, using creative network SSID names and enabling network encryption are good starting points when making sure your bandwidth is not enjoyed by the noisy neighbors across the hall.

internet of Things : an imperative for digital era!!!

           The Internet of Things (IoT) is being hailed as the next frontier in the digital revolution, and with good reasons. To begin with, IoT can help companies increase productivity, cut costs, offer new products and services, and deploy new business models. As the world moves towards converging technologies, analysts predict that billions of devices will be able to communicate with each other—an ability that has the potential to dramatically enhance the quality of living and change the way we experience products around us.

          IoT is defined as a worldwide network of “things” that include identifiable devices, appliances, equipment, machinery of all forms and sizes with the intelligence to seamlessly connect, communicate and control or manage each other to perform a set of tasks with minimum intervention.

            The goal of IoT is to enable things to be connected anytime, anyplace and with anything or anyone. IoT is not a single technology, but a concept. IoT research has its roots in several domains including radio-frequency identification, machine-to-machine communication and machine-type communication, wireless sensor and actuator networks, ubiquitous computing, and the Web of Things. This is perhaps one reason that analysts also prefer to call it the Internet of Everything.

        IoT is increasingly gaining momentum. There is an increase in adoption of this next-generation technology due to the increasing urge for continuous connectivity, availability of versatile low-cost sensors, improved infrastructure with ongoing deployment of LTE (long-term evolution), Wi-Fi and small cell networks, huge volume of data and benefits of remote information and control, according to consulting firm EY. With its innate monitoring and analytics capabilities, IoT enables ubiquitous connectivity for businesses, governments and consumers.

           It helps the businesses in transforming existing processes (through improved productivity, better supply chain management, efficient asset utilization and analysis-based maintenance) and developing new business models (by enabling anything-as-a-service). It also enables faster decision- making, reduction in costs (fuel costs, employee cost, maintenance cost and human error costs) and enhanced customer base with improved experience, according to EY

            IoT is defined as a worldwide network of “things” that include identifiable devices, appliances, equipment, machinery of all forms and sizes with the intelligence to seamlessly connect, communicate and control or manage each other to perform a set of tasks with minimum intervention.

         The goal of IoT is to enable things to be connected anytime, anyplace and with anything or anyone. IoT is not a single technology, but a concept. IoT research has its roots in several domains including radio-frequency identification, machine-to-machine communication and machine-type communication, wireless sensor and actuator networks, ubiquitous computing, and the Web of Things. This is perhaps one reason that analysts also prefer to call it the Internet of Everything.

         IoT is increasingly gaining momentum. There is an increase in adoption of this next-generation technology due to the increasing urge for continuous connectivity, availability of versatile low-cost sensors, improved infrastructure with ongoing deployment of LTE (long-term evolution), Wi-Fi and small cell networks, huge volume of data and benefits of remote information and control, according to consulting firm EY. With its innate monitoring and analytics capabilities, IoT enables ubiquitous connectivity for businesses, governments and consumers.

        It helps the businesses in transforming existing processes (through improved productivity, better supply chain management, efficient asset utilization and analysis-based maintenance) and developing new business models (by enabling anything-as-a-service). It also enables faster decision- making, reduction in costs (fuel costs, employee cost, maintenance cost and human error costs) and enhanced customer base with improved experience, according to EY

The OSI Model Layers

       The Open System Interconnection (OSI) model defines a networking framework to implement protocols in seven layers. Use this handy guide to compare the different layers of the OSI model and understand how they interact with each other.

The OSI Model is Not Tangible

        There is really nothing to the OSI model. In fact, it's not even tangible. The OSI model doesn't perform any functions in the networking process. It is a conceptual framework so we can better understand complex interactions that are happening.

The OSI Model Layers

        The OSI model takes the task of internetworking and divides that up into what is referred to as a vertical stack that consists of the following 7 layers.

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• Physical (Layer 1)

      OSI Model, Layer 1 conveys the bit stream - electrical impulse, light or radio signal — through the network at the electrical and mechanical level. It provides the hardware means of sending and receiving data on a carrier, including defining cables, cards and physical aspects. Fast Ethernet, RS232, and ATM are protocols with physical layer components.

                                  Layer 1 Physical examples include Ethernet, FDDI, B8ZS, V.35, V.24, RJ45.

• Data Link (Layer 2)

     At OSI Model, Layer 2, data packets are encoded and decoded into bits. It furnishes transmission protocolknowledge and management and handles errors in the physical layer, flow control and frame synchronization. The data link layer is divided into two sub layers: The Media Access Control (MAC) layer and the Logical Link Control (LLC) layer. The MAC sub layer controls how a computer on the network gains access to the data and permission to transmit it. The LLC layer controls frame synchronization, flow control and error checking.

 Layer 2 Data Link examples include PPP, FDDI, ATM, IEEE 802.5/ 802.2, IEEE 802.3/802.2, HDLC, Frame Relay. 

• Network (Layer 3)

            Layer 3 provides switching and routing technologies, creating logical paths, known as virtual circuits, for transmitting data from node to node. Routing and forwarding are functions of this layer, as well as addressing,internetworking, error handling, congestion control and packet sequencing.

 Layer 3 Network examples include AppleTalk DDP, IP, IPX.

• Transport (Layer 4)

          OSI Model, Layer 4, provides transparent transfer of data between end systems, or hosts, and is responsible for end-to-end error recovery and flow control. It ensures complete data transfer.

 Layer 4 Transport examples include SPX, TCP, UDP.

• Session (Layer 5)

         This layer establishes, manages and terminates connections between applications. The session layer sets up, coordinates, and terminates conversations, exchanges, and dialogues between the applications at each end. It deals with session and connection coordination.

 Layer 5 Session examples include NFS, NetBios names, RPC, SQL.

• Presentation (Layer 6)

        This layer provides independence from differences in data representation (e.g., encryption) by translating from application to network format, and vice versa. The presentation layer works to transform data into the form that the application layer can accept. This layer formats and encrypts data to be sent across a network, providing freedom from compatibility problems. It is sometimes called the syntax layer.

 Layer 6 Presentation examples include encryption, ASCII, EBCDIC, TIFF, GIF, PICT, JPEG, MPEG, MIDI.

• Application (Layer 7)

        OSI Model, Layer 7, supports application and end-user processes. Communication partners are identified, quality of service is identified, user authentication and privacy are considered, and any constraints on datasyntax are identified. Everything at this layer is application-specific. This layer provides application services forfile transfers, e-mail, and other network software services. Telnet and FTP are applications that exist entirely in the application level. Tiered application architectures are part of this layer.

•  Layer 7 Application examples include WWW browsers, NFS, SNMP, Telnet, HTTP, FTP

13 Best Free Android Apps

From secure messaging to document editing, our top free must-have apps have been rated, reviewed and named the best free Android apps of 2015.

         We know there is a huge number of apps competing for storage space on our Android devices, but why spend time and bandwidth to download an app that sounds cool, only to find it isn't that great? Our list top 13 must-have Android apps have been rated, reviewed and named the best free Android apps of 2015.

1. Bleep Offers Private and Secure Instant Messaging

               It's no secret that WhatsApp is at the top of the instant messaging heap, but despite its popularity, security and privacy concerns remain. Bleep is a great alternative from the makers of BitTorrent which offers fully encrypted messages which, critically, are stored locally, not on the cloud. In the style of Snapchat, Bleep's whisper optiondeletes messages as soon as it is read. .

2. Manage Your Cloud Storage With Unclouded

                Between Dropbox, Google Docs, OneDrive, and a host of others, online storage can get cloudier than your vision after a good night of partying.  Fortunately, there is a freemium app called Unclouded which aims to grant access to all your far-flung online files through a single app. It isn't possible to peruse more than one cloud account at a time, but an intuitive menu system allows you to switch back and forth without entering and exiting multiple apps for multiple cloud services. Unclouded provides details on how may files are in each account and the amount of available remaining space. 

3. Find Apps faster with App Dialer

              Remember at the dawn of texting when we would laboriously type words using the grid-style number pad on our flip phones? Those days are back with App Dialer, which allows Android users to search for apps using a T9 keypad. This time around, though, a simple touch of the key corresponding to either of its three letters will show all the possibilities of apps which can be formed with those characters. A sequence of 9-2-4 corresponds to W-H-A, for instance, bringing up WhatsApp as a potential match. 

4. Use Snapseed  to Tweak Your Digital Snaps

          Originally launched as a desktop tool, Snapseed is a powerful must-have photo editing tool. Combing simple, one tap effects with excellent editing power and an intuitive UI have made this app a hit with smartphone wielding photographers. Recently released Snapseed 2.0 allows users to retrace their editing steps by saving your adjustments as re-editable layers. 

5. Docs To Go offers Easy and Lightweight Editing

           For lightweight word-processing and editing of text, Docs To Go remains one of the easiest to use and slimmed down apps available. In addition to text, Docs To Go supports editing of spreadsheets and integrates well with cloud storage. As long as one never needs to give a long winded slide-based presentation, this app may be all that’s required.

6. Open Word Docs and More with Microsoft Office

                 Like it or not, documents created with Microsoft Office abound. At some point, Android users will either be asked to open or create a file in this format. Gasp! I know. The good news is Microsoft's suite of Office programs are available on Android for free and the apps are rather well designed, too. Word, Excel, & PowerPoint are included, so one can open and edit these documents no matter the location. It's worth noting the MacBook Air on which this article is being typed refused any and all attempts to auto-correct the word Microsoft. Go figure. .

7. Uber Offers Smooth Traveling

              Traveling in an unfamiliar city and can't find a cab? Uber is essentially a on-demand network of private cars run through a smartphone app. Using GPS, Uber will pinpoint your location and send a driver to pick you up (if one is nearby, of course). Leave your cash at home; Uber drivers only accept digital forms of payment such as credit cards or PayPal. Users are encouraged to rate their drivers after each trip. 

8. Drupe Lets You Manage All Your Messaging Apps

           Between Facebook Messaging, WhatsApp, and regular old SMS, mobile users have a myriad of messaging apps to manage. Drupe is a Play Store app which attempts to corral all of a user's messaging apps (and send messages!) in one place. Once installed on your device, Drupe organizes all your contacts and messaging apps, placing your contacts on the left side of the UI and messaging apps on the right.

9. Google Translate: Handwritten or Spoken Text Accepted

Star Trek promised us a lot of cool gadgets, not the least of which was the Universal Translator, which allowed Captain Picard to threaten hostile alien species with ease. Google Translate is our 21st-Century equivalent, offering word-for-word translations of over 70 languages accepting input via text, speech, or even text recognition using your device camera. Google's translation will be displayed in text form or read aloud through your phone's speaker. Shields up! Red alert!

10. Talk With Up to 200 People With Popcorn Buzz

            Group chat is great, up to a certain point when the conversation gets so large it's almost impossible to tell who is saying what via text. Popcorn Buzz allows users to call up and talk with to 200 people at the same time. It would work well for business conference calls, or when you need to talk with Uncle Joe and Aunt Maisie on Christmas Day to thank them for the new socks. 

11. Spotify is a  jukebox in Your Pocket

           Spotify is a music streaming service, turning your Android device into a virtual jukebox. Users can listen for free, while downloading tunes for offline listening requires a premium account. Recently, version 3.0 update brought a redesigned UI with larger control buttons. With the announcement that Apple's Music streaming service will be available on Android, it will be interesting to see what further improvements Spotify's team has up their sleeves in what is quickly becoming a crowded market.

12. Google Keep: A Virtual Android Corkboard

          Google Keep is an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of Pinterest, with its pinning of all your favorite things, corkboard style. With Google Keep, users can go a step further by record audio notes for their corkboard along with to-do checklists and favorite pictures. It should already be in your pre-loaded Android apps; if not.

13. Zoho Docs: The Iconic Document Platform

              This Android app works great for freelancers who need to work with a variety of documents in a myriad of formats. With a simple and easy to navigate UI, Zoho can open virtually all of your documents in cloud storage without users having to worry about compatibility. Sharing documents with other Zoho users is exceptionally easy. The ability to save documents locally is a huge bonus.