KEY SECURITY IDEA
I live alone and am concerned about intruders. Here’s what I do. I put my car keys beside my bed at night. If I hear a noise outside my home or someone trying to break in, all I have to do is press the panic button for my car. The alarm will be set off and the horn will continue to sound until I turn it off or the car battery dies. Most burglars won’t hang around if there is a lot of noise. I learned this from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Before you do this, test it and see if your panic button works from your bedroom to your car. Also remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.

Vnerstone of our democracy. But in recent years, both the systems we use and the trust we have in the accuracy of our votes have been challenged.

A new report (PDF) looks at all the systems currently in use--from paper ballots to Direct-Recording Electronic machines--and the issues that surround them. Researchers at Fortify analyzed threats against three phases of an election (voter registration, casting votes, and tabulating votes), highlighting specific ways voting systems have been compromised, summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of current voting techniques, and then providing guidance for voters to ensure their votes are handled properly in upcoming elections.

This week, Robert Vamosi spoke with co-authors Brian Chess and Jacob West of Fortify about their report.

Not surprisingly, Chess and West draw parallels between the electronic systems handling our votes and those that handle our financial transactions. They conclude with several ways the federal and state governments can work with voting machine vendors to adopt business software assurance techniques into the systems they create.

Enterprise Manager Framework Security implements the following types of secure connections between the Enterprise Manager components:

• HTTPS and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) components, including signed digital certificates, for communications between the Management Service and the Management Agents.

YOU CANT HACK MY ATM, BUT YOU CAN HACK MY VOTING MACHINE! YOU BETTER FIRE THE FAULTY FED DISTRCT ATTORNEYS, TOO! 


State-sanctioned teams of computer hackers were able to break through the security of virtually every model of California's voting machines and change results or take control of some of the systems' electronic functions, according to a University of California study released Friday.

The researchers "were able to bypass physical and software security in every machine they tested,'' said Secretary of State Debra Bowen, who authorized the "top to bottom review" of every voting system certified by the state.

including Sequoia, whose systems are used in Alameda, Napa and Santa Clara counties; Hart InterCivic, used in San Mateo and Sonoma Counties; and Diebold, used in Marin County.

Why We Need 24*7 Lock Smith Services

Why We Need 24*7 Lock Smith Services

Security has always been important, whether it is home or state. Security provides a certain kind mental satisfaction to the people. And 24 hour Lock Smith security for home is very important. Residential security commercial security home security or security during emergency security is very important. Today security is great concern for all. Everybody is always in tension that anything can happen anytime. All people before leaving their house pray for proper security. All wish to have secured life and home. The house which is considered as the place for relaxing and comfort that place today is most unsecured.

For that security of home is first concern. For that various electronic locks and hi tech door locks are available in the market. Even there are security access control are their which can ensure long run security. Proper security measures should be installed at home. There should be proper lighting at home. There should be fire alarms CCTV, Surveillance Alarms & Intruder Detection Home Automation should be properly installed.

Children should be given proper security training. Like not talking to strangers or taking something from them. Children are kidnapped especially when they are alone at home. So they should be told for not opening the door for unknown person. It is always better to take children along. But at some cases it is not possible. Even at office where there is proper security for employees should work. It is the duty of the office to provide safety measures for the staff. If in case there is any threat for insecurity then at once person should inform the police. One can also learn self defense protection which can provide security when he is alone. People can take security measures but provide security can be provided only when one is alert and cautious.

He should always be well versed with the circumstances and should not overact in case of emergency. Security for 24 into seven is what is important and should be there. Then that day is not far enough when 9/11 will be common. For peaceful life security is important.

How important is Security Training to Children at Home

How important is Security Training to Children at Home

Security is the major concern in today’s world. Where there is always threat for having anything anytime for that security is must. Proper security enables to fight with odd circumstances. Security is major concern for all. Especially when security comes of home and people living at home. To provide security to children is very important and special care should take. For now both the parents are working at that time security for children is the question of great concern.

So many things are happening daily with children. For that proper security training should be provided to children. Like they should be told not to open the door at time when no one is at house. Security alarm switch should be known to them. So that incase of any security threat they can blow the alarm. Telephone number of police or both the parents should be given to them. So that incase of security they can call. Even when while entering the house alone they should check that no stranger is following.

Even while opening the door also they should check and open. Children should be told about the threats and measure providing security. Children are innocent. They are generally not aware of the wrong things happening. For their own safety they should be aware about the things like not talking, going with any stranger. Along with the cause that if they go it is risky for their own life. For imparting security measures to children one needs to be patience and calm. For mind of child is still growing. For that creating fear into their minds it is always good to make them understand.

Make children understand that they open their ears and eyes always open. And if they ever smell any insecurity they should inform fast. Without waiting for police to come. For security of home also security of children is must. It will keep both child and house safe. For many things are happening with minor. For such time security towards children is important. It will provide them healthy living. It will also helps in creating homely atmosphere. Home will then appear as home place of security and calmness. So that children can love their home and tie up special bonding with the house. For house without children is nothing then four walls. It is the laughter of child which keeps the light of house alive. So protection of them is more important they are the future tomorrow.

Immediately Required Actions In Case of Security Threat

Immediately Required Actions In Case of Security Threat

Security knows days are the major part of concern. Whether it is home, nation or office security all want to be safe. For that many companies had launched their security programs. It includes various kinds of gadgets. These gadgets include all latest technologies. But whatever may be criteria men now days should themselves be well versed with security. People should be active enough if there is any security threat. It cans safe much life. They should possessed good sense of humor.

For that before constructing house security measured should be properly install. If there is fire at home then the first step is to switch off the main supply of electricity. Use fire extinguisher then immediately call the fire brigade van. If during night one hears some kind of sound, then call the police immediately. Before waiting for the thief to enter. There should be proper lights at home. It is especially when lights should not be put-off.

Major numbers like police and fire office should be kept in such place where it is easy to find. There should be proper lock system at home. It is always better to lock with codes. If someone knows about the code then it is always wise to change the codes. Even before hiring maid servants at home it should be registered at police station. If there is any threat inside the house call the neighbor first. For that neighbor should be good.

Don’t entertain any such people who are new. Strictly ignore such kind of person. If then also they continue to come then launch complain to police. If there is any unwanted thing likes then also inform police. It is always good not to tell secrets of the house. It should be kept among family members. Try to avoid taking any food material from outsider. As many cases happen due to mixing of poison with food. Garden should be kept clean.

It is the 21^st century where women are also smart enough. Many classes have been started for self defense security. They are very helpful as they can be needed any time. Security is the major concern of today. However, men can be secured if he uses his wit properly.

Hot Security Products for Corporate and Business Houses

Hot Security Products for Corporate and Business Houses

Office and Business setup’s security is a vital need for every organization. Every small, medium and large enterprise invests heavy sum of money in securing their offices to protect confidential data and information, precious hardware and other materials in office. To apply desired level of security people trust on several automatic security devices, some hot favorite devices of all time are:

Access Control System – This is one of the most advanced and effective security measures for office security preferred by almost every organization for restricting the entry of unauthorized people to high security area. These systems are implemented at door level, and controlled and monitored by centralized computers system. One can have access of only the permitted areas inside the office. Smart Cards are a way of enabling such kind of security.

Keyless Entry – People want comfort and ease in every operation. Keyless entry is one-step in catering such comfortable needs of people. These keyless entry devices are installed on main entry doors. These are popular and being used widely in Hotels, Homes, and Offices. You do not have to carry a key every time. Instead, you will have a smart card that you need to swipe in order to open the door lock. Such devices are not only comfortable but they also provide greater level of security.

Security Cameras – These cameras are important for surveillance, and live monitoring of everyone coming to and going from office. High-end cameras also provide the mechanism of unlimited live video recordings. There are many cases where police arrested the person associated in theft and crime via the recordings done by these security cameras. Therefore, they are among essential security needs.

Automatic Door Openers – Automatic door openers are also in fashion these days. They are more a need for corporate houses. Such door openers open automatically when someone is coming to or leaving from office. A smart sensor tracks if someone is coming towards the door, if yes then the gate opens automatically without any human interference. This is one of the most convenient ways of entry. Such devices are installed in Shopping Malls, Hotel Lobby and Office Lobby where there is minimal threat of security or where people reach after passing a security check.

Industrial Security Needs and Solutions

Industrial Security Needs and Solutions

Security is great concern for all the people of the world. Security is needed everywhere at home, offices and at even big industries. Industrial security is great concern for all developing countries. Increase of industries will give more employment opportunities and more will be the growth of the country’s economy. But with rise of terrorism security for industries is must. Employee can work only in such companies were there is proper security services. For better growth of the economy and profit it is the duty of the company to ensure proper security to its employee. Employer then only can put his soul and mind together for increasing the productivity.

It is only possible where there is healthy environment. Multi dimensional threats to the national security, corporate world and industrial organizations have increased many folds from international terrorism, communalism, gears, strikes, sabotage, espionage, subversion, pilferages, thefts, cyber & white collar crimes, bomb threats, natural and manmade disasters etc. It leads into loss prevention and crisis management. Industrial security includes asset protection, Crime Control, intelligence, Safety and Disaster Management thus preventing all types of losses and adding to productivity, contrary to earlier notion that all expenditure on security was no return on investment.

Steps for security management in organization such as thorough threat assessment to eliminate strikes, mob violence and bomb threats, formulation of security plan and organizational security policy, proper selection of security agency, judicious integration of men and machines for cost effective security, preparations of standing orders, Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) and guidelines, training and motivation of security personnel, preparation of disaster management plan, sensitization of personnel at various levels and periodic security audit for organization. Industrial security should always be planned at the conceptual or design stage of the plant or industry and much importance to production or profit by the management. Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) Systems EAS systems are designed to help retailers increase their sales.

For security at industries one need proper guidelines and the entire senior should work out the plan first. It should also have fire extinguisher, CCTV cameras for noticing people the card should check all the visitors and proper entry should be made. All the employee should be given identity cards and should enrolled properly with the address. The team leaders should always be alert and should keep close watch on the employee. All this can help to ensure proper security to industries. For maintaining their profit increasing day by day.

Latest Security Products in Hot Demand

Latest Security Products in Hot Demand

With increase in crime security plays a vital role. Proper security service along with modern equipments had provided some relief to people. People are spending large amount of money for getting good security. Before taking any security products, it is necessary that the products are not outdated and should be of good brand. People are spending lots of money for ensuring proper security. The latest security products are wireless products. This is a new technology combined with computer microprocessors. They are good and easy to use. There is wide range of security products available in market.

Wireless Control Panels (Security Consoles)

The main electronic control for a home security system is the security control panels system, which has circuitry, and contact points connect to security alarm sensors, sirens, security cameras, telephone connections and remote keypads. Video Monitors they are available in different size. They can be white or color monitors. Like Samsung SMM21FDQ 21″ CCTV Color Observation System, Samsung SOD14C Color T-Way Audio Camera, Samsung SSC1280 Recorder VCR 1280 Hour CCTV VCR. Security Camera Systems in this system includes one or more security cameras, security monitors, cable, power supply, motion sensors, a bracket to for camera to place on wall or ceiling and monitor for a person to view the video feed from the camera. Individually. There are two main types of security cameras: exterior cameras or interior cameras.

Dual Technology Sensors

The home security sensors include microwave sensor and infrared sensor. Then the Acoustic Sensors these have power to detect all kind of sounds like breaking of glass etc. They help in identifying all kind of noise. Door locks should be always of good quality. Poor lock helps thieves to enter the house easily. Good door locks should be implemented along with Dead Bolt Door Locks, Key in Knob Door Locks, Chain Locks, Keyless Entry, and Vertical Dead Bolt Locks. These locks are very heavy and can stop the intruders from entering the house. Then there are panic bars which are placed at door for any kind of panic like robbery or fire. There are also door alarms which help in identifying when the door is opened and closed. Magnetic Contact Circuits are used in place of key/lock systems and they ensure a human being is controlling access. Some electromagnetic lock systems can withstand well over a ton of force making them difficult to break through.

Apart from that there are Hi Tech Surveillance Systems which includes CS/Box Mount Cameras, Dome Cameras, Vandal-Proof Dome Cameras, Auto Tracking Speed Done, Infrared Cameras, Bullet Cameras, Zoom Cameras, LCD-Digital Video Recorders, Solar and Mobile Digital Video Recorders, Police Headcam, Snake Cameras, 3D LCD Zoom Microscope, Pipeline Inspection System, Sports Cameras, Ultrasonic Sensors, Photoelectric Sensors. Many such kinds of and wide range of products are available in market for ensuring good security.

Major Players in Security Devices

Major Players in Security Devices

There are several companies, which makes high standard of security products. Security is a major concern for public as well as organizations, to ensure that security products of high standards is very important. Following are the major players in security device manufacturing:

Honeywell

The famous company in providing security service is the Honeywell. It is the leading company, which provides integrated automation and software solutions to improve productivity enhance comfort and ensure safety and security for homes and business. Honeywell is part of Honeywell Inc., a technology master in the field of safety and automation devices, with 120,000 employees across entire global.

The company aims at creating value for its customers with ever-changing market. Honeywell is the brand that attached its name for making products like thermostats for buildings, process control systems for refineries and factories and sensors in automobiles. Company takes special care to ensure customer satisfaction through better productivity, optimal use of materials and energy, lesser wastage and better maintenance of equipment. Honeywell International is situated at New Jersey; specialize in making HVAC Control System, Fire Detection System and Access Control Systems, CCTV Systems & Perimeter Control Systems.

Yale

Yale is the oldest company in producing security products for home and business. It is one of the most trustworthy and favorite for lock producing which functions across 125 nations. The company was started by inspirational attitude of Lines Yale senior and junior. Yale is the part of ASSA ABLOY Group, which aims in promoting high security and safety. The company specializes in making high quality doors opening solutions.

Baldwin

Baldwin is another company, which promotes high standards of products for the home and workplace. It was first to provide high quality and latest technology of homeowner products. The products made by this company have unique exterior finish to fight with in all weather types. The products made by Baldwin ensure functions and elegance, as well as lasting value and contemporary style. The company termed with the title of Timeless Craftsmanship.

All these major companies holds special place for producing security devices. The aim of these companies is to provide the best security products to consumers.

Absolute Security & Lock is premier provider of Security Equipment in Florida. We are providing 24 hour emergency locksmith services since 1997 to our numerous clients.

Electronic Security Systems We offer clients a wide range of electronic security systems. Manufactured by reputed company Zicom, these products offer superior security options. Restricting unauthorized entry, these offer complete peace of mind even when one is away from their homes. The range of products offered by us include: Range • Gas leak sensor • Motion sensor • Magnetic sensor • Color & B&W video door phone • Burglar alarm system • Magnetic sensors • Hooter Features • Detects intrusion • Detects gas leak • Free insurance • Wireless operations24x7 online alert service • Easy to operate • Remote keys • 1 year warranty

House and Property Services

The demands of today’s busy lifestyles often makes it difficult or near impossible for people to attend to all of their business or personal concerns as often as they would like.

Trading Places aim to provide you with all year round help and support for all the activities that you can’t get round to doing personally.

Property Services

We'll look after your property, either in the short term while you are taking a break away from home, or in the long term, whether you have better things to do or are simply too far away to attend to things effectively.

House Minding - While you are away: Regular house security checks – keeping an eye on things Organising tradesmen…referenced and recommended only Collecting and checking mail…sorting out the pile Checking answering machines…anything urgent? Pet sitting... let them stay in the comfort of their home environment Pot plant care... keep them fed and watered! Bill paying…... peace of mind knowing they are on time

Holiday homes: Management / Supervision... We can check people in and check them out! Key Holding... We will hold your keys when you are off island Holiday Home Cleaning... Complete top to bottom clean for the next visitors, inventory checks, linen changes……we will help keep order! General Garden Maintenance... we can carry out lawn mowing, weeding, pruning and general tidying of gardens. This can be on a regular basis or ‘as required’. Finding Tradesmen... we follow up their references

	Price: $915.00
FINGERPRINT BIOMETRIC SECURITY SYSTEM (DPL-FBSS) Unlike other security systems that require proprietary components, the new DPL-FBSS incorporates an embedded Web Server, which enables all computers, such as Apple Macintosh, PCs & Unix machines, in the corporate computer network to setup, maintain and access the information of the device simultaneously using any well-known Internet Browser.

	Price: $615.00
FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION LOCK III Utilizing 21st Century Fingerprint Technology, this fingerprint locks combines security and convenience together. There is no longer a need to fear losing keys or forgetting passwords. The advanced design is suitable for homes or offices.

A New York computer user. Computer security top guns around the world watched warily as the dreaded Conficker worm squirmed deeper into infected machines with the arrival of an April 1st trigger date.

Photograph by: Chris Hondros, AFP

BOSTON - Malicious software installed on millions of computers has yet to wreak havoc on technology systems worldwide as some fear, but researchers warned that the "Conficker worm" could still strike in the future.

Also known as Downadup or Kido, Conficker turns infected PCs into slaves that respond to commands sent from a remote server that effectively controls an army of slave computers.

Researchers feared that the network created by Conficker might be deployed on Wednesday for the first time since the worm surfaced last year because its code suggested it would seek to communicate with its master server on April 1.

They formed an industry-wide task force to fight the worm, bringing widespread attention that experts said probably scared off the criminals who command the army of slave computers, known as a botnet.

"The Conficker-infected machines attempted to call home to get new commands from their master but those calls went unanswered," said Joris Evers, spokesman for security software maker McAfee Inc.

Researchers warned that the botnet's commanders are probably waiting until they are under less scrutiny before they mobilize the network of infected computers.

"I never thought it would happen April 1," said Roger Thompson, chief research officer at AVG, an anti-virus firm. "It might be tomorrow. It might be next week. It might be next month."

Privately held AVG and other firms with security labs including Microsoft Corp, Symantec Corp, McAfee and Trend Micro Inc will closely monitor the botnet's activities long after Wednesday.

The virus exploits weaknesses in Microsoft's Windows operating system. It can evade corporate firewalls by passing from an infected machine onto a USB memory stick, then onto another PC.

In February, Microsoft announced it was offering a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for creating Conficker, saying the worm constituted a criminal attack.

More high-tech security on way to U.S. airports

Posted at 04:09 PM in Travel News

The Transportation Security Administration plans to add hundreds of new security screening machines at airports across the country over the next few weeks.

The TSA says it will install more than 200 of its faster X-ray machines at airports including Philadelphia, Washington Dulles, Reagan National, Los Angeles, Denver and Las Vegas. The machines allow officers to screen carry-on baggage with fewer physical searches by providing multiple views and much clearer images, according to the TSA.

The TSA also plans to install whole body imagers at several airports, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Detroit, Las Vegas, Reagan National and Denver. Those machines allow TSA officers to screen travelers for metallic and other items without resorting to the not-particularly-popular pat-down inspections. They're already in place at Phoenix, Los Angeles and JFK.

Electronic Security Systems We offer clients a wide range of electronic security systems. Manufactured by reputed company Zicom, these products offer superior security options. Restricting unauthorized entry, these offer complete peace of mind even when one is away from their homes. The range of products offered by us include: Range • Gas leak sensor • Motion sensor • Magnetic sensor • Color & B&W video door phone • Burglar alarm system • Magnetic sensors • Hooter Features • Detects intrusion • Detects gas leak • Free insurance • Wireless operations24x7 online alert service • Easy to operate • Remote keys • 1 year warranty

Wireless Comes Home

The latest home networking products promise to make linking your PCs together fast and affordable. But do they deliver? We try out 12 new kits and select a Best Buy.

Becky Waring

You probably think you have it pretty good if you've got a DSL or cable line running into your house for high-speed Internet access. You may even be patting yourself on the back for hooking a couple of PCs together with ethernet cabling.

But that's yesterday's news. These days, true home-computing bliss means wireless networking. Pick up your notebook with a wireless PC Card installed, and you're free to read e-mail or surf the Web while lounging by the pool or reclining on the couch. Going wireless has advantages for desk-bound PCs, too: It relieves you of the chore of drilling holes and snaking ethernet wires through walls and floors. That's especially desirable if you're trying to network PCs that are scattered throughout the house. Envision trying to run cable between the work PC in your basement office and another machine in an upstairs bedroom.

Last year, wireless networking took a quantum leap with the release of 11-megabit-per-second products based on the 802.11b wireless standard (commonly known as Wi-Fi) defined by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance. Previously, wireless adapters operated at 1 or 2 mbps (versus wired ethernet's 10 mbps, 100 mbps, or even 1000 mbps). Eleven mbps may seem like overkill for sharing an Internet connection or transferring a few files over a home network, but new applications like streaming video and shared MP3 audio consume all the bandwidth they can get.

The decision to go wireless is not an open-and-shut case. The effective range of the wireless signal is one issue to consider. Most manufacturers of 802.11b cards claim their products' range is up to about 100 feet indoors, in a typical wood-frame house. But the range can be much shorter in a concrete and steel building. As the wireless signal degrades, performance drops with it. Also, setting up and configuring the network can be difficult.

Setting up a peer-to-peer (computer-to-computer) Wi-Fi network will set you back $50 to $150 for each PCI Card adapter and $50 to $200 for each notebook PC Card adapter. A less expensive networking alternative--phone-line networking products based on the HomePNA 2 standard--costs roughly $40 for each adapter. Phone-line products are faster and often easier to install--provided you have a handy phone jack everywhere you want to put a PC. The flip side: You don't get the convenience of roaming with your notebook. In June last year we compared five phone-line products, and they've changed little since then (see "Home Wired Home").

If you want to share a broadband connection without a host computer acting as server, you can do so with a wireless or phone-line gateway, a product that bridges traffic on a network and routes it to systems equipped with adapters. A wireless access point costs $200 to $400. A comparable phone-line setup can run $300--$150 for an ethernet router, and another $150 for a phone-line bridge.

Finally, slightly less expensive products based on another wireless standard, HomeRF, also compete with those based on Wi-Fi. HomeRF is due for a speed boost this summer (see "Coming Soon: HomeRF 2").

For this review, we put 11 Wi-Fi networking products to the test by setting them up in two homes--a two-story, two-bedroom condominium, and a two-story wood-frame house. We also looked at a comparable phone-line setup using a new product from Netgear, to determine how performance differs between the two technologies. One vendor, 2Wire, offers a product capable of both Wi-Fi and HomePNA networking, and we tested both.

After setting up all the devices, measuring their performance, and examining whatever extras they offer, we gave Linksys's EtherFast Wireless Access Point our Best Buy for its easy installation, wealth of useful features, and affordable price. For beginners and those who don't need roaming capabilities, the Netgear solution could also be a good choice.

Networking Soup

You've probably heard a number of terms bandied about in relation to home networking: hubs, bridges, routers, access points, gateways. Technically, these all refer to specific functions, which are often combined into one physical unit.

A hub typically has several ethernet ports that the various computers on your network can plug into, enabling them to communicate.

A bridge links local area networks, usually connecting sections of a larger network that would otherwise suffer from line length limits, or linking two different types of LANs. For example, the Netgear bridge in this review lets network traffic from computers on a phone-line network pass to systems on a separate ethernet network, and vice versa. We reviewed the Netgear bridge along with a Netgear ethernet router--a device that takes Internet traffic and routes it to one or more computers on your LAN, allowing you, for example, to share a Web connection.

A wireless access point combines router and bridging functions: It bridges network traffic, usually from ethernet to the airwaves, where it's routed to computers with wireless adapters. Finally, a gateway, while a fairly loose term these days, is generally understood to be a device that links a LAN to a wide area network, usually the Internet, and sometimes even includes a built-in broadband modem. All the products in this review are gateways.

As with wired networks, a wireless network includes adapters installed in or hooked to your PCs--PCI cards for desktops, PC Cards for notebooks, or USB adapters that connect to either.

The Contenders

400)this.width=400" src="http://images.pcworld.com/reviews/graphics/50415-1907p119-2b.jpg" alt="Counterclockwise from top left: products from Farallon, Cayman, DLink, Agere, Xircom, and SOHOware." border="0">

The wireless products we looked at for this review fall into several groups. (For a complete list of products, see the Home Networking Products Features Comparison.) Taking the uncomplicated approach, those from Agere, SOHOware, and Xircom are no-frills access points that merely bridge your wireless network cards to a cabled ethernet network (or to the ethernet port that's in your cable or DSL modem). They also act as basic firewalls, since their Network Address Translation feature prevents outside machines from talking directly to any machine on your home network.

400)this.width=400" src="http://images.pcworld.com/reviews/graphics/50415-1907p119-5b.jpg" alt="Products from 2Wire Netgear, MaxGate, 3Com, and Buffalo." border="0">

For more flexible network security, 3Com, Buffalo, D-Link, Farallon, Linksys, and MaxGate offer wireless access points with programmable firewalls--necessary if you want to run a Web server on your network, for example, or access Web services such as online gaming. Most of these more advanced units also include 4-port ethernet hubs, so you don't have to buy a separate hub if you have a few wired devices in addition to your wireless ones.

Cayman's DSL Gateway takes things a step further: As its name implies, it's an integrated gateway that bundles Wi-Fi wireless, wired ethernet, and a built-in DSL modem into one unit. And 2Wire's HomePortal combines all three networking technologies--Wi-Fi, wired HomePNA, and ethernet--in one handy box. The 2Wire product is an economical choice for those who want to combine phone-line and Wi-Fi networking.

Other products offer useful extras. The MaxGate unit, for example, has a parallel port to connect a printer, and so acts as a network print server. Linksys also makes a version of its wireless gateway with a print server, although we did not test it.

Becky Waring is a freelance writer based in Berkeley, California, and Kalpana Narayanamurthi is an associate editor for PC World. Testing was performed by Robert James and Jeff Kuta of the PC World Test Center.

Hook Up and Get Going

Building a wireless network is basically the same for all these products, and the wiring is the easy part. However, getting the wireless adapters running and communicating with the access point, and then configuring the gateway for your Web connection, can be the most time-consuming part of the process.

To start, you first plug the ethernet cable from your broadband connection (DSL or cable modem) into the access point's WAN port. You then run and connect ethernet cables from one or more desktop computers or hubs into the access point's LAN ports.

Because of the range limitations of wireless, you need to consider the location of your access point carefully before installing it. If your DSL or cable modem is not already installed, you'll probably want to hook up the access point in a central location (not necessarily in the office or living room where your main PC is located) and be sure to have your broadband line installed nearby. This will minimize distances between the access point and your computers.

Once the wired connections are made, you can then install wireless adapters where needed, and then configure the gateway, usually via a Web interface. If you choose to place the access point in a location other than your office, you should remember to buy an extra wireless adapter for your main PC.

If you have a mixed Windows/Mac network, you'll probably want to stick with ethernet and Wi-Fi, since Apple's AirPort system is Wi-Fi compatible, and all current Macs have built-in ethernet support. Some of the gateways can be configured only with Windows software, but all support Macs as clients via ethernet or Wi-Fi cards.

Installation Eccentricities

The experience of installing these products ranged from sublimely simple to insufferably complicated--it's one reason we put heavy emphasis on a product's ease of installation when picking our Best Buy. In some cases we had our network up and running in under 30 minutes, but in other cases the job took hours that felt more like days.

The level of difficulty varies, but in general, setting up any home networking system is a task best handled by someone with some knowledge of the specific products involved. None of the packages reviewed here are plug-and-play devices. Thankfully, however, once you've got the network up and running, you can largely forget that the gateway is even there.

The hardest part with each installation was setting up the wireless connections. The documentation provided with most of the products was almost uniformly scanty or difficult to follow, or it simply didn't reflect reality. You must uninstall any previous routing software you may have installed, such as WinGate or Sygate. You also have to copy down all your IP address and ISP connection information from the Network control panel before you start. If you accidentally lose this, you could spend a lot of time on the phone with your ISP. All the products work with the three major IP addressing options: static IP address, PPP over ethernet, and DHCP (in which you get a new IP address from your service provider each time you log on).

Though all Wi-Fi cards are supposed to be compatible with any Wi-Fi access point, our tests indicate that making different brands work together can be hard to do, if only because you must understand networking terminology such as encryption levels (40-, 64- or 128-bit), channel numbers (Wi-Fi uses 1 of 11 channels), network name, and short RF preamble (our personal favorite for incomprehensibility).

The hands-down installation champ was the Linksys. The company makes both Wi-Fi PCI and PC Card adapters, and they can be installed easily and quickly. After hooking up the EtherFast access point/gateway to our DSL cable and installing the wireless adapters, we opened up the EtherFast's simple browser interface to enter our IP address and were online in a flash. The Linksys has both online and printed documentation that's clear and easy to understand. The manual even discusses such issues as how to determine when to use crossover or straight-through ethernet cables--a matter most of the units glossed over but which can stymie anyone short of seasoned network installers. And a full set of indicator lights on the Linksys's front panel simplifies troubleshooting.

Installation of Buffalo's AirStation and Cayman's DSL Gateway gave us the most trouble. With the Buffalo, we had to install three different pieces of software before configuration could even begin. We also had to adjust various Windows settings.

The Cayman's documentation is inadequate and confusing. It fails to explain the cryptic Web-configuration screens that look like programmer's tools. Figuring out that we had to change VCC1 (huh?) to one of eight different settings (with labels like Ether-IIC and PPOE-vcmux) was grueling even for our technical experts in the PC World Test Center.

Also, because Cayman doesn't make its own PC Cards or PCI cards, we had to use third-party wireless cards. Trying to match the two vendors' configurations settings was a daunting process, given the Cayman's thin documentation. (For those brands that sell gateways but don't offer wireless PCI boards or PC Cards, we used Agere Systems' Orinoco cards. Lucent Technologies, which spun off Agere, was one of the first vendors to introduce 802.11b products, and Agere cards were most likely to be compatible with others.) Some vendors make USB wireless adapters, as well. Such adapters are almost always much easier to install than PCI cards, but you'll have to contend with yet another box sitting next to your PC.

We encountered no major problems installing the 3Com, D-Link, Farallon, and MaxGate, thanks in part to simple Web interfaces for configuring wireless and Internet settings. All those vendors except MaxGate sell wireless adapter cards, thus ensuring easy compatibility.

The 2Wire, Agere, SOHOware, and Xircom units were almost as easy to set up. The Agere, SOHOware, and Xircom products don't have user-programmable firewalls and so don't require as much configuring as other Wi-Fi units.

With no wireless settings to configure, Netgear's USB-based HomePNA product was a cinch to install. In our setup, we simply plugged in a few cables and installed the drivers for the HomePNA-ethernet bridge into one of our PCs. We connected it to a second Netgear box, the RT314 Cable/DSL Router that served as the Internet router and firewall. As with the wireless products, we needed to add our IP address and other networking configuration information to connect to the Internet, but that task was relatively easy.

Speed: No Wireless Champs

Based on our tests transferring files, printing over the network, and connecting to the Internet, performance is not much of a consideration when picking one brand of wireless network over another. The average throughput rates of all the wireless products' are very close, at 2 to 3 mbps. (For a complete explanation of our tests and a summary of some of the test results, see this chart.)

By contrast, our HomePNA network delivered throughput of 7 to 9 mbps--close to its nominal capability of 10 mbps. Why the big difference over wireless? With wireless, signal strength and the distance from the access point are critical to throughput. The Wi-Fi products are designed to fall back to 5.5, 2, and 1 mbps speeds as you move progressively farther from the access point. Wireless also involves more overhead than wired networks, due to the constant need for error correction and resending of packets.

Wireless network performance can also degrade due to unexpected disconnections. Wireless is subject to interference from microwave ovens, cordless phones, and other electronics that share the 2.4-GHz industrial, scientific, and medical frequency band. Over the course of testing, connections inexplicably slowed down or even disappeared for a few seconds numerous times.

In spite of the performance hit, we'd still choose Wi-Fi over wired in a heartbeat for any portable. The convenience is too compelling, and the speed is adequate for most purposes. Just don't try to watch DVD videos over your network; clear DVD requires throughput ranging from about 4.7 to 9 mbps. We tried watching some videos, and got choppy, disagreeable results.

Users of portables should note that 5-volt PC Cards draw lots of power when used continuously, as modem cards do.

As for the performance of the Netgear and 2Wire HomePNA products, results were quite different. The Netgear raced ahead of the 2Wire, primarily because it used PCI cards in the desktops. The 2Wire used only USB adapters, which tend to produce slower throughput.

Those Not-So-Little Extras

The Linksys's clever design and extra features also distinguish it from the pack. Its four 10/100 ethernet ports eliminate the need for a separate hub in most home and small-business settings, and the unit has a modern, pleasing design. Combine all this with a moderate $289 price, and you have a great value.

With its heavy, painted-metal case, the D-Link unit has a distinctly utilitarian look, but it offers three ethernet ports, and at just $199--the lowest price of the group--it's a real bargain.

Near twins in design and software features, the Farallon and MaxGate units have just one 10/100 ethernet port and a slot for the Wi-Fi card--all the other models except the Cayman have the circuitry built in. However, both have a slot that gives you the flexibility to upgrade to next-generation cards.

Taking a minimalist approach, the SOHOware and Xircom units also come with just one ethernet port. They are basic access points, useful for adding wireless capability to your network, but forgo all extras such as firewalls. Limited to 40-bit encryption, they are also not the best choice if you are concerned about wireless security. They're priced in the same range as the full-featured units, and it's hard to recommend them.

The Agere gateway has just one ethernet port and no firewall or other higher-level networking capabilities, but, uniquely in this group, it includes a phone jack and built-in 56-kbps modem, so you can access the Web via a dial-up connection or via a broadband connection. That versatility makes it a good choice for homes that do not yet have cable or DSL, and for users who want a dial-up backup connection should the broadband link go down.

The better-equipped gateways (Buffalo, DLink, Farallon, Linksys, and MaxGate) let you designate one computer on the network as a Web server and set internal IP addresses for virtual servers. They also have VPN support, special settings for streaming video and networked games, and the ability to install firmware updates over the Web; and they allow you to access your network from outside the home.

The Mix-and-Match Network

It's important to note that your network can be a hybrid of wired and wireless. Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and HomePNA products are mostly compatible and relatively easy to hook together--especially if all the parts come from the same vendor. Combining wired and wireless can help reduce the overall cost of your home network while improving both its performance and its range.

For example, if you have two desktop computers in one room, plus a portable you want to take around the house, you can run a cheap, simple cabled ethernet connection between the two desktops and get just one wireless adapter for the portable. All the wireless products in this review can bridge between ethernet and wireless. If you have desktops in different rooms and conveniently placed phone jacks, you might instead want to install HomePNA boxes on the PCs and add a simple access point for the portable. If you want to share a printer among your computers, consider the MaxGate, which has a built-in print server.

We wouldn't hesitate to buy Wi-Fi, given its broad industry support and the numerous products available, but if you're going the wireless route--and can wait a bit--consider HomeRF 2, explained above. This second-generation technology promises some advantages, including lower prices and telephony capabilities.

Best Buy

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With its programmable firewall, dual antennas, and easy installation--all for $289--the Linksys BEFW11S4 EtherFast Wireless Access Point stands head and shoulders above the rest and handily earns the Best Buy. Linksys also makes its own PCI and PC Card adapters to use with the gateway, making setup an even simpler task.

Real-World Wireless

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When the Morristown financial group, a New Jersey-based financial planning and services firm, started expanding five years ago, managing partner John Hyland faced a turning point. Adding new employees meant the company finally needed to invest in a networking system. Until then, the company had consisted of only six employees, and setting up a network had not been a priority. But with a growing workforce, sharing client and data management software by sneakernet was no longer practical.

After weighing several networking options, Hyland settled on a wireless solution, mainly because of the ease with which new users could be added. Using Agere Systems' Orinoco products, the company's network now connects 14 desktops and 4 laptops. The system, a peer-to-peer network, is hooked up to DSL, so all users have high-speed Internet access.

According to Hyland, wireless networking suits the firm well. "When we have meetings with clients, we can just take our laptops into our conference room and stay hooked up to the network," he says. Furthermore, when the company decided to relocate in August 1997, bringing the network along was as simple as unplugging and then replugging at the new location.

Hyland says the network has presented no major problems. If the company needs to add a new user to the network, or if minor troubleshooting is necessary, a part-time IS manager is on hand to take care of the new user's configuration and make fixes.

Hyland liked the setup so much, he hooked up an identical wireless network at home. "That way, I can take my laptop home, sit out in the backyard, and do work--if I want to," he says.

--Kalpana Narayanamurthi

Is Wireless Security Full of Air Holes?

Sending data bits through the air adds a whole new dimension to the network security problem. Recently, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, managed to crack the Wi-Fi encryption protocols, which means that an extremely determined hacker may be able to tap into your wireless network. The Wi-Fi industry group, the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance, is currently working to strengthen Wireless Equivalency Protocol encryption, but in the meantime, you can mitigate the threat in several ways.

The first line of defense is the same as for wired networks: Configure Windows File and Print sharing carefully with passwords, or turn them off; use a personal firewall such as Zone Labs' ZoneAlarm; and make sure your antivirus software is up-to-date. You should also secure your wireless network with a password.

Why use a personal firewall when many of the gateways in this review come with a programmable firewall? Because the firewalls in gateways can protect only against attacks coming over the Web, not against hackers who might tap directly into your local network using a wireless connection. In addition, personal firewalls can alert you to Trojan horses--malicious programs that hackers secretly install on your computer to send data back to them, thereby circumventing the gateway's firewall.

These wireless products also use encryption to scramble data before sending it over the airwaves; you should set the highest level of encryption your wireless cards support--some support 40-bit encryption, while others support 64- or 128-bit. Most products in this review use easily guessed default passwords (or none at all), and encryption is generally switched off by default. That's fine for initial setup, when you want to make sure everything's connected properly. But as soon as you're set up, reset your password and switch on encryption.

Once all the pieces are in place, you can sit back in your pool chair, surf the Web with your laptop, and enjoy the freedom of wireless, without the worries.

--Becky Waring

Coming Soon: HomeRF 2

With dozens of products shipping, you might think that Wi-Fi, or 802.11b, is the clear wireless networking winner. But HomeRF, another wireless standard that transmits over radio frequencies, may reemerge as a contender. The soon-to-be-released HomeRF 2 has heavy backers like Intel and Proxim, and the HomeRF governing body, the HomeRF Working Group, contends that version 2 will offer a number of advantages over 802.11b.

HomeRF 1.x operates at just 1.6 mbps, but version 2 will bump the speed up to 10 mbps--which is only 1 mbps shy of Wi-Fi. And speed isn't the only point of comparison. The HomeRF organization claims that version 2 will support voice, data, video, and multimedia streams, making it more suited to new home telephony and video applications than 802.11b is. Wi-Fi relies on Voice-over IP, a technology that allows voice calls to be made over the Internet, so calls must go through a computer at both ends. But HomeRF 2 should deliver voice conversations directly to a telephone handset, making it convenient when DSL providers start packaging phone service.

The HomeRF Working Group states that you should soon see Internet-connected HomeRF alarm clocks, radios, and other devices from vendors such as Simple Devices and Uniview. Also, HomeRF 1.x gateways and adapters are less expensive than Wi-Fi-based products. Access points are about $100 cheaper, and adapters run $25 to $50 less. HomeRF 2 products reportedly will ship with prices in the same range as the first generation's.

Advances aside, HomeRF has a lot of catching up to do if it hopes to take the lead from 802.11b. Apple, Dell, IBM, and Toshiba are already shipping portables with 802.11b support built in. And with a wide variety of access-point solutions available, 802.11b has proved to be the wireless system of choice in business and education. Some ISPs are even adapting it as a means of delivering broadband Internet services, rather than stringing wires into remote or hard-to-reach areas, such as small outlying communities.

The Wi-Fi camp also promises speed increases, up to 54 mbps. A 22-mbps version, 802.11e, should have products appearing by the end of the year, according to Wi-Fi proponents. While 22 mbps may be technically feasible at the 2.4-GHz band, it still requires FCC approval. (HomeRF is cleared to make the move to 20 mbps in 2002.) But 54 mbps will require a move to 5 GHz, which will prevent backward compatibility with older Wi-Fi products.

--Becky Waring

Home Networking Products Features Comparison

Access Point/Gateway	Street price (4/1/01)	Wireless adapter for client, street price (4/1/01) PCIcard	Wireless adapter for client, street price (4/1/01) PC Card	Wireless adapter for client, street price (4/1/01) USB	Wire ports WAN	Wire ports LAN	Wire ports Other	Encryption level	Warranty (years), support (hours/days)	Comments
2Wire HomePortal 100W 877/349-3304 www.2wire.com	$399	None	None	None	1	1, 10Base-T	USB, phone-line jack	64-bit	1, 24/7	A solid solution if you want wireless, phone-line, and ethernet all in one. Fairly simple installation; no programmable firewall.
3Com Home Wireless Gateway 888/638-3266 www.orinocowireless.com (http://www.3com.com)	$349	$69	$149 (64-bit encryption); $169 (128-bit encryption)	$199	11	1, 10Base-T1	Phone-line jack for built-in modem	64- or 128-bit	3, 24/7	Built-in 56-kbps modem useful for accessing Internet via dial-up connection. Explicit installation documentation helps networking novices.
Buffalo Technology WLAR-L11-L AirStation 800/508-1110 www.buffalotech.com	$300	$41	$120	$179	1	4, 10/100	None	40-bit	2, 16/5	Complicated installation software and procedures mar otherwise capable unit. Comes with 4-port hub.
Cayman Systems DSL Gateway 800/473-4776 www.cayman.com	$500	None	None	None	DSL jack2	4, 10Base-T	None	40- or 128-bit	1, 8/5	Difficult to install; no advanced firewall features. Only device here that offers built-in DSL modem, which can save money.
D-Link DI-713 949/790-5290 www.dlink.com	$199	$135	$99	$130	1	3, 10/100	Serial	40-bit	1, 12/5	Cheapest device here doesn't skimp on extra features, including a programmable firewall. Metal case gives it an industrial look.
Farallon NetLine Wireless Broadband Gateway 800/613-4954 www.farallon.com	$299	$50	$149 (64-bit encryption); $1493 (128-bit encryption)	None	1	1, 10/100	None	64- or 128-bit	1, 9.5/5	Fairly easy to install. PC Card slot permits upgrades to next-generation cards.
Best Buy Linksys BEFW11S4 EtherFast Wireless AP 800/546-5797 www.linksys.com	$289	$49	$129	$149	1	4, 10/100	10/100 uplink4	40, 64-, or 128-bit	1, 24/7	Easy installation, a programmable firewall, and a wealth of features for a reasonable price; best choice for both novices and pros.
MaxGate UGate-3300 800/284-8985 www.maxgate.net	$279	None	None	None	1	1, 10/100	Parallel	None	1, 9/5	Easy-to-install unit includes a print server and a programmable firewall. Special online gaming support.
SOHOware NetBlaster II Hub 800/621-1118 www.sohoware.com	$250	$200	$150	None	None	1, 10/100	None	40-bit	1, 24/7	Useful for adding wireless capability, but omits programmable firewall and ethernet hub. Full line of cards and adapters available, but others do more for the same price.
Xircom Wireless Ethernet Access Point 800/438-4526 www.xircom.com	$330	None	$180	None	None	1, 10/100	None	40-bit	Lifetime, 11/15	Expensive for a unit that doesn't include a programmable firewall or an ethernet hub and offers only 40-bit encryption.
Netgear Phoneline 10X PE102 and RT3145 800/638-4327 www.netgear.com	$3486	$40	None	$149	None	1, 10/100	Phone-line jack	None	5,7 24/7	Trouble-free setup makes this a good choice for networking beginners. Separate router box simplifies use in combination with wireless products.

1Port can be used as either a WAN or a LAN port, depending on cable.2DSL modem built into gateway.3Included with gateway for client system.4Deactivates one LAN port.5HomePNA (phone-line) product included for comparison.6Bridge $199, router $149.7Bridge only; one year on power adapters and router.

Review: Logitech home security system

Gerard Campbell

Logitech's webcam-based home security system.

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While many people these days have a burglar alarm in their homes, few have a home security system with cameras. Now you can, thanks to easy-to-set-up systems.

I tried a system from Logitech ($649.95) that's designed for the indoors.

It came with everything needed to install a decent home security system.

It saves footage captured by the motion-sensitive camera to your home computer, as well as letting you remote view what the camera sees using a Windows-based mobile phone.

After installing Logitech's Wilife software, it was time to hook up the camera and the two receivers - one that connects to your computer using a USB cable, the other that plugs into a power socket and is then connected to the camera using a cable.

The camera sends the video footage to the receiver, and thus your computer, wirelessly.

You can also get a waterproof outdoor camera ($649.95), and the camera's command-centre software lets you monitor up to six cameras - handy if you have a big home and want several zones monitored.

The camera comes with a stand, suction cup or wall mount to fix the camera to where you want. For the purposes of this review, I went for just the suction cup and stand options.

Set up is easy enough and soon I had the camera recording footage that saved onto my computer's hard drive as a .wmv file (a Windows media format).

The command-centre software lets you tweak all manner of settings - from image quality to how you want to be notified if movement is detected.

And when you're viewing footage, you can flick from viewing live images to playback at the click of a button.

Being motion-sensitive means the camera will only record when there is movement - it doesn't record continuously, eating up precious hard-drive space - and in playback mode you can see the date and time of the recording.

You can set the system to alert you via your mobile phone, either through a text message, text with one frame of video, or an entire video clip.

You can also remotely view what your camera sees from the system's website.

I found the system a cost-effective way to add a camera-based security system to the house - and it had unexpectedly amusing results when it captured one of my children miming movements to a music video on TV, not realising that the camera was on. Priceless.

Probably the only negative aspect about the system - and it's more of a problem for the outdoor camera - is that the cameras need to be plugged into an electrical socket.

That's fine for the indoor camera, but how many people have sockets outside and in the right place? In other words, you'll probably have to pay an electrician to hardwire outdoor cameras.

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