Folks,
 
Thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday.
 
We will not meet next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. 
 
The Friday after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and is usually the biggest shopping day of the year.  You can get an advance look at the deals by going to this website:
http://bfads.net/
 
One of our members had a problem with Tracfone and lost her phone number and some bonus minutes.  It was very similar to my experience.  I referred her to the website I created:
www.tracfonesucks.info
 
Our main topic for the day was router security.  The points I hope you took with you are:
 

• Almost all routers are shipped with minimal or no security.  YOU need to decide how easily you want to share your internet connection.  The "WEP" security is flawed and is easily cracked in under 30 seconds by someone with the correct software.
• You can log into the setup pages for your router by opening a browser and entering the appropriate address.  My Linksys wireless router uses 192.168.1.1 to get to the setup pages.  The 2wire wireless router uses a similar series of numbers, but they make it easier to remember by also using http://gateway.2wire.net .  If you have a different router, check with the documentation that came with it. 
• You can get the instructions for your router by going to the manufacture's website.
• Once in the setup pages, CHANGE THE PASSWORD for the router. 
• If you do not need the wireless function, disable it and you are done.
• Change the SSID to something that does not identify you or your hardware.
• Use the WPA or WPA-PSK setting for excellent security.  Use 26 random hex characters to make a very secure wireless network.  (You can find radom hex characters here: https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm )
• Be sure to save your changes.
• Save your password (or pass phrase) to a notepad file and/or email it to everyone who may share your wireless network.

I recorded this meeting at the suggestion of several members.  It will be found at our website:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/PCUGMI/files/
My computer churned away for almost 3 hour and produced an unusable file.  I will try again.  If the file is not there, please try in a few hours.
 
I can record future meetings if there is interest.  Let me know if and what I should record.
 
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Cheers,
Rob

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