HOWZAT

The less-scary-than-it-sounds Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP) should prevent uninvited snoopers from hopping onto your connection for a free ride. Security is vital, because a beefy wireless broadband connection left unprotected by a password may tempt someone to piggyback on your bandwidth. If they do, this could potentially land you in trouble with the law.

It’s easy to get carried away with technology, and obviously there are limitations and drawbacks to a network. Going upstairs to reboot a router when the connection freezes is annoying, especially if everyone else was in the middle of surfing. This doesn’t happen often now that the technology is maturing, but it is as inevitable as the occasional com-puter crash.

Other drawbacks? Some experts worry that a world where everyone has their own web space may damage home life if children begin to feel isolated. The net generation, however, would argue that there is merit in having time to yourself. Rafie doesn’t believe their network has harmed family life, but recognises that parents with younger children should monitor the online destinations little ones visit.

The future is wireless. As the personal computer becomes ever more personal and ubiquitous, and faster broadband grows cheaper and more widely avail-able, the home network may become as popular as the mobile phone. Why wait to free yourself from those wires?

HANDY KIT

RAPID ROUTER
Netgear RangeMax WPN824 — £87 from www.amazon.co.uk

A stand-alone router you can connect to your existing modem, even with a cable connection. Mimo long-range technology increases speed and range, making it ideal for large homes or offices. Easy to install.

MULTITALENTED MODEM
DrayTek Vigor2600VG — £176 from www.dsi-warehouse.co.uk

A pricey all-in-one modem and router with useful features, including ports for making VoIP calls over the internet and the ability to limit individual computers’ bandwidth. It filters file types, giving parents more control over how kids surf.

FLEXIBLE WIRELESS PRINTING
Canon Pixma iP4000R — £150 from www.pixmania.co.uk

Stylish model that cleverly prints wirelessly from any computer in the house. Crisp documents and rich pictures, but beware long-term fading.

NETWORKING TIPS

Mounting your access point on the wall, away from your desktop, will improve your network’s speed.

Place an access point as centrally as possible in your home to maximise coverage within your walls and reduce “leakage” from the house.

Keep a written note of all network settings and passwords somewhere safe.

Change default user names, passwords and the network’s name, as any hacker worth their bacon knows these and could use them to access your network.

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