Chapter 8 Assessment

1.) Wi-Fi is short for "Wireless Fidelity". It is a set of instructions for configuring radios, that allow computers to talk to each other without wires. There is a single base station which is connected to the internet, which all other computers connect to, basically eliminating the need of data cables. The author mentions that other users, wireless phone headsets, microwave ovens as well as baby monitors may interfere with your Wi-Fi connection. This happens because Wi-Fi uses an unlicensed spectra to broadcast, one that is susceptible to interference.

2.) Three methods of telling if someone is using your wireless network are checking the website log for suspicious activity, check your security software for Intrusion Detection Alerts and software such as Wall Watcher and Securepoint Intrusion Detection to monitor incoming and outgoing activity over your network. Two methods of protecting your wireless network from outside usage include hiding your network by "closing" your network and encrypting your network by creating a software "key", that is used kind of like a password.

3.) The incident of a man being cited for using an "open" wireless connection is quite ridiculous. He was just in the right area to use it and wasn't doing anything illegal, just using the internet. Also, anyone has the right to "close" their wireless connection if they don' t want other people using it, if they choose to leave it "open", it should be legal for anyone to use it. I agree with the author's assessment because I also believe it is the owners responsibility to keep the network locked if they do not want to share it.

4.) One potential issue when using a VoIP service is obtaining a second phone line for the DSL connection because the phone number can not be the same for the VoIP service and the internet connection. Also, the traditional 911 emergency service doesn't work when called from a number using a VoIP service, no name or address appears when you call. Another issue is if the power goes out then so does your VoIP service and you have no phone. Finally, if your internet connection gets dropped, you will not be able to use your VoIP service.

5.) The author provides five things you should do with your e-mail when you receive it to help you deal with your e-mail. These five things include either delete the e-mail, answer it, let someone else deal with it (or redirect the message), save it for reference or tag it for later action.

6.) Methods the author provides to reduce the amount of spam you receive include not letting spammers know you exist by not posting your e-mail address anywhere online. Another method is not ever replying to a spam or clicking the "unsubscribe" link. Also, you can never buy anything advertised via spam. You could also use your internet service provider's spam filtering options to filter out spam. Also, you can use the spam filtering capabilities that come with your e-mail program, similar to that of your internet service provider's. Finally, you can use a third party filter, which is a system that you run your e-mail through that filters out the spam for you.