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Tactical Panda News & Updates
Wireless Internet - Secure?
There are so many wireless internet connections these days that a few words about security wouldn't go amiss. On a recent TV programme, it was found that nearly a third of wireless broadband connections were not 'secure'. In other words the signal that the wireless router was broadcasting around the home was open to interception and possible abuse.
If you do not set up a 'secure' wireless network, you may be exposed to people hacking into your wireless network and stealing details from your personal computer. Hackers who pursue wireless network security flaws are known as 'war drivers' who carry our 'war driving'. However, if you set up your home wireless network properly with the network forcing users to enter a "WEP" key (WEP is short for 'Wired Equivalent Privacy' and acts as a password), then this is not a problem you are likely to face.
Left unprotected, any other Wi-Fi user can use your connection just by parking up outside your house and logging in. This won't cost you any money but can slow down your connection speed and, if this person's motives are more sinister, you'll find that your connection is wide open to hacking - other users can find out your personal information, bank details and can even see what web pages you're visiting.
So how do you ensure that your connection is secure? The easiest way is to try and connect using a laptop or Wi-Fi mobile phone (like a Blackberry). When you try and connect, Windows will inform you that the connection is not secure and asks if you want to proceed. If the connection is in fact secure, Windows will now ask you for a 'network key' which you will have to type in before proceeding.
All wireless modem/routers have built in security features, some, like the BT Home Hub have a secure wireless signal switched on by default, others, like the Belkin and Netgear routers require wireless security to be activated as part of the initial set-up process.
For more information about Wireless Broadband, please click here.
Windows 7 - Part 2 (The Verdict!)
Well, Windows 7 finally arrived in the shops in a flurry of awful TV adverts and the press (especially the trade press) went made for it. Did we, as promised, try out the 'real' version on a real PC and put it through its paces? We certainly did, and despite our initial reservations, we are delighted with the system so far.
It seems that Microsoft have actually listened to customers and industry experts and produced something that Vista should have been - an operating system that is easy to use, fast and capable of doing the job. Out first good impression was the speed of loading and closing down - a major source of irritation with Vista and to a lesser degree, Windows XP. To test this part of the system we had three computers of broadly similar spec lined up on the test bench. At the same time, we switched on all three, one an XP, one Vista and one Windows 7. To our delight the Windows 7 computer was by far the quickest to reach 'operating speed' with the anti-virus and wireless broadband the last to kick in.
Second place in the speed test went to Windows XP followed shortly afterwards by the Vista machine. Once again the Vista computer needed a 'nudge' to remember to connect to the internet, but that's normal! Shutting down the three computers went the same way, 7, XP, Vista. But that's not all, the whole computer felt quicker and certainly the new slick graphics and interfaces worked a charm - far too many improvements to mention in this short article.
Upgrading from an 'old' operating system to Windows 7 is easy, especially if you have Vista already installed. For around £70 you can buy an upgrade disc (yes, you actually get a disc!), pop it into the CD drive and follow the on-screen instructions. If you have Windows XP installed then the chances are you will need a completely fresh installation rather than an upgrade. The Win7 disc will do both, but remember to back everything up first! Most printers will require a new driver download from the manufacturers website.
For more information about Windows 7, please click here.
Burning CD's
Some computer users get a bit frustrated with the built-in CD and DVD burning software pre-installed on the computers. When it comes to burning music, photos or documents to a DVD, the burning software supplied by Microsoft sometimes falls short of expectations.
So what is burning? When you burn data to a CD or DVD, you are basically copying the data to a blank CD or DVD. The CD itself is cheap enough, and just about every supermarket will sell you a pack of discs for the price of a sandwich. The brand is less important these days as it used to be, but I prefer to avoid the very cheap brands. However, you still need burning software to copy the data to the disc.
Windows XP and Vista both have burning software installed, but as I mentioned earlier, sometimes it is less than effective, especially with DVD's. So what's the answer? There is plenty of third-party software available, much of it free, that will accomplish the task. Alternatively, you can buy third party software such as Nero or Ashampoo (where do they think these names up from?), which will carry out a multitude of tasks, including erasing a DVD-RW (re-writable disc), after which you can re-burn your data afresh (or add to it if the disc isn't quite full).
DVD-RW discs are more expensive than the DVD+/-R counterparts, simply because the discs can be re-written multiple times. By the way, never back up your data to a DVD-RW for permanent storage! If you want permanent storage, choose a DVD+/-R disc, that way 'accidents' are less likely to happen where you find your valuable photos accidently erased!
A quick Google search of burning software produces pages of free and chargeable software. Personally we endorse 'Ashampoo Burning Studio 9' which does just about everything but make the tea - and it will probably do that if you ask it nicely! It's installed on all our computers and we think it makes Nero look silly, but that's just our opinion!
For more information and help, please visit our 'Burning CD's and DVD's' page by clicking here.
Should I Update My Computer?
We are often asked whether the Automatic Update from Microsoft is a good thing to use - or is it something sinister made by the manufacturer of Windows for ulterior motives? Perhaps it is an elaborate form of Spyware planted by Microsoft? Neither is true, although a certain amount of two-way information is needed for your computer to remain up to date with the latest 'patches' and security features from Microsoft and other manufacturers.
Windows Update is a very clever device when you actually sit down and think about it. Let's consider you computer is actually your car instead. What would happen if every time you pulled in for petrol, the pump updated your car's systems with the latest information on how to run properly, gave you the latest information about your car's performance, and in many cases actually enhanced the car's performance? Chances are you would be only too glad to receive this information, especially as it was free.
Okay, so very occasionally the information provided is not that useful, but ninety nine times out of a hundred, the computer (i.e. you) benefits from the update. Where else would you get this sort of service? Certainly not from your garage forecourt, that's for sure! So why the murmurings when a new Service Pack is distributed to licensed users of Windows? I am never quite sure why, but there always seems to be a certain amount of 'resistance' when a new update is released, perhaps the inherent mistrust of Microsoft is something to do with it. Anyway, uploading and installing the latest update from the software giant is invariably a good thing to do and we always encourage it.
Other updates from manufacturers such as Sony (for the Vaio range), Hewlett-Packard (for the HP and Compaq range), Java and a lot more, are also freely available. In a nutshell, all these updates are designed to help you maintain your computer in peak condition - so use them!
Windows 7 - Another Vista?
Many of you already know that a new operating system is on its way from Microsoft to replace the much maligned Windows Vista. Once again, much has been promised with the new System, usual improvements with security, better connection to the internet, improved media player facility and so on.
So what went wrong with Vista? Not a lot. You see, Windows XP grew up during the 'boom' in computer sales, overtaking Windows 98 and Millennium Edition at the speed of light. Naturally, millions of people all over the world adopted XP and became 'resistant to change' when Vista arrived. There's nothing wrong with Vista, and a lot of rumours sprung up that it wouldn't work with existing hardware and you needed specialist software just to make it run. Kept updated with Microsoft and it works just fine.
Businesses across the globe rejected Vista and stuck with the tried and tested XP on their corporate computers, at least for the time being.
Is XP really dead now that Windows 7 is due to hit the shelves in October? Not quite, but it's dying quietly in the corner. You can still get XP of course, but as time goes by it will become progressively more difficult to obtain as Microsoft scale down support as they have done with 98 and ME.
Windows 7 is not just a beefed up version of Vista, there are certainly advantages - if Microsoft get it right first time, which they failed to do with Vista, especially for the commercial market. Too many choices (Basic, Premium, Ultimate plus Business versions) - it was too confusing.
Are we trying Windows 7? Yes, we have had a go, and to be honest we were not totally bowled over by it. But we still reserve judgement until the full working version comes out later this year, then we will comment!
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