What you need to know about the new WiFi standards.

Now that the WiFi Alliance has ratified the latest 802.11ac standard, it's time to talk about a few things that you need to know.

Wireless AC (802.11ac) only operates on the 5 GHz frequency

So what, you say? Well, due to the physical properties of the 5 GHz band, this is very important. Most people have become accustomed to their WiFi signal having no issues in regards to penetrating through walls and other obstacles. This is due to the fact that most WiFi signals have been operating on the 2.4 GHz band. While it's true that the 2.4 GHz band is becoming increasingly saturated and congested, it is worth noting that this band also has a greater ability to penetrate through most walls. 5 GHz? Not so much. Also, the 5 GHz band cannot travel the same distances that a 2.4 GHz signal can. So what does this all mean to you? Well...

You will have faster throughput, less coverage, and more problems when you don't have a line of sight connection between the access point and the client (i.e. your tablet, smartphone, or laptop).

Why would anyone adopt the new standard?

Manufacturers are not dummy's. Well, most of the time. Almost all of the manufacturers, that we have researched, are designing access points that are capable of backwards compatibility with 802.11n standards. While 802.11n can operate on the 5 GHz band, most also operate on the 2.4 GHz band as well. It is important to understand the difference. 

At Colishay Technologies, we keep these things in mind. All of our access points are compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz clients. While the 802.11ac standard offers better throughput, the 802.11n standard ensures better compatibility. For now, we suggest that if you are looking to purchase a new 802.11ac access point, please make sure that you are aware of the different frequencies that the access point will work with.

As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Colishay Technologies at service@colishay.com

How to use technology to be a superhero...

If you're like me, there is nothing better than being the superman in your children's eyes. My two children give me so much motivation that I figure I might as well use it to make their childhood a little extra special wherever I can. A long time ago, I realized not being with my children was my kryptonite.

I work in technology, and seeing as how I need to stay up on the current trends of the day, I am often amazed when I look back into my childhood and realize just how far we are from the days of pong and Colecovision. Those seemed like simpler days. well, at least they do to us, the adults. I remembered the complete amazement I felt when my Dad took my nose, or made a bouncing red rubber ball appear out of thin air from behind my ear. Then I realized that it is not so much that those days were simpler... I just was.

So, I had a novel thought. Seeing as how much of the technology today still amazes me, I started to imagine what effect it might have on my children if utilized correctly. Gone are the days of slight of hand... now any Joe can be the keeper of the secrets of real magic. So, I set off on my journey to really knock the socks off of my kids. I was not going to be happy until I had the most magical powers ever known to man. I mean, I could instantly turn off the Xbox with a slight movement of my hand, and to top it off... there was no clapping involved (I still laugh thinking about the old Clapper commercials).

Now, I just wanted to offer up a little background into what I do. I am a networking guy, but I don't just do your normal computer networking. Oh no! I like to play with machine to machine networking, wireless networking, smart home devices, and the like. With devices like those, you can really go overboard. However there are a few things that every guy or girl can do to use technology as their own special magic.

If you have an Xbox, use Smart Glass to control your Xbox. Let's say the children are watching Bob the Builder on Netflix, randomly pause the show and fake a cough every time you do. Then sit back and watch the children's faces.

If you have a smart phone, download your favorite song. Then lip sync the words to it while you're in the vehicle with the children. Convince them that this is the way you sing.... and watch their faces.

There are so many ways to use technology to become a superhero/magic man in your children's eyes. What are some of the ways that you use technology to make your children's lives more fun filled? Respond in the comments below.

Why you need to be up to date on surveillance technology.

With all of the surveillance scandals coming out of good ole Washington, DC these days, good questions come to mind...

What information am I unknowingly sharing?

Most of what we do online, on our phones, and in the public eye can be easily traced. Most mobile phones today have GPS and Internet connectivity. Everything that we do online is documented somewhere, by somebody. Also, many businesses have security cameras installed.

So, why is all of this information being gathered, and who is gathering it?

Video Surveillance by Private Parties

Most private companies install security cameras for 2 reasons. First, they want to prevent/discourage loss and/or vandalism. Second, companies like to know the shopping habits of their customers. If a restaurant or other retail location installs a security camera, it is typically because they want to see what the shopping habits of their customers are, and they want to limit theft or vandalism. It just so happens that by installing a surveillance system, the company can also get huge discounts on their business insurance. With so many benefits for businesses to install surveillance systems, it comes as no surprise as to why we see them popping up everywhere.

When you shop, you are being recorded. This is not necessarily a bad thing. If the business that you are shopping at have a decent security camera system, chances are pretty high that they can decrease their costs. When businesses decrease their costs, customers win out because prices typically stay low. Also, shopping at a business with a security camera system protects the consumer by keeping the business safe.

 Network Surveillance by Private Parties

When you connect to an open WiFi hotspot, you can be pretty sure that a lot of your surfing habits are being monitored. To protect themselves, businesses have to maintain a certain level of control over what happens on their network. One way of doing this is by monitoring web activity of the devices that are connected. Another reason that companies monitor usage is to tap into the likes and dislikes of their clientele. When a company gets to know their customers, that company then has the ability to adjust their offerings to fulfill the needs of that customer.

Not only are you monitored when you are using an open Internet connection, but you are also monitored when you use your own. Google, amongst other big data companies,  has made an entire empire by profiling Internet users, and matching advertisements based upon those profiles.

Another thing to be aware of is the use of GPS on smartphones. A lot of times, GPS could be sharing data with 3rd parties to track your movements. This is done in order to better serve you, and match you with offers that would interest you in your immediate area.

Surveillance by Non-Private Parties

There is this thing in the United States that we like to call the Constitution. At one time, this document was the law of the land. However, it seems that recently, it has been disregarded. According to the Constitution, the Government has no right to access, expose, or intercept any private data about a person, a group, or a business without following due process.

Apparently, the Government seems to have forgotten this. For more information, please refer to the Bill of Rights, and more particularly Amendments 4 and 5. Having said that, one would be right to ask the question:

What's the difference between a private party having the right to gather information on me, and the Government having the right to gather information on me?

The Answer...

CHOICE.

Any time that you give a private company an opportunity to gather information on you, you are doing so by choice. You remember all of those "Terms of Service" documents that you have to agree to just to use a system like Gmail or a local WiFi hotspot? Those documents inform you of the right of that company to document information about you. Typically you must agree to those terms before you are able to use that service. If you don't agree, then you don't use that service. The point is that you have a choice.

When the Government collects information on you, you have no choice. This is becoming increasingly evident over time. If the Government wants information about you, they simply file and go get it. You have absolutely no choice as to whether or not your information is shared. Not only that, but most of the time you receive no benefit at all from the Government having access to your data.

When a private company gathers data on you, they do so with the hope of selling you something. Ultimately, if the private company is able to know your wants and desires in a more clear manner, they are able to sell you something that you want. Not only that, but due to private companies having the ability to profile, they are able to offer you premium services for free that would otherwise cost you money (i.e. Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, Google Apps, Pandora, etc.).

When the Government collects data on you, with out due process, they are infringing upon your Constitutional rights. They are collecting this data, not with the hope of selling you something that you want, but with the hope of catching you doing something wrong.

The Verdict

If you want all of your information to stay private, then you really must just hide away in some remote place and have no contact with anyone. However, if you want to have some control over your information, but don't want to join Tom Hanks on the island with Wilson, you must do these things:

1) Read the Terms of Service on everything, and don't agree to sharing your personal data with any company unless you get something of value out of it.
2) Use Proxy Servers when surfing the Internet for a level of anonymity.
3) Check out Tor .
4) Adjust your privacy settings on social media accordingly.
5) When using public hotspots, be very careful. There are ways to secure a connection on a public hotspot. Contact Colishay Technologies for help with this.
6) Contact your legislators and demand that they uphold their oath of office by supporting the entire US Constitution.
7) Get involved in discussions with IT professionals about best practices for IT security.

It's up to you...

Everyone has different expectations as far as privacy is concerned. If you don't mind sharing your information, then continue as you are. However, if you want to have a better handle on what is shared, apply these tips, and have fun...

To find out more about WiFi systems or IP Surveillance systems, please contact Dan Robson at Colishay Technologies