by Joni Meadows

On EKU’s campus there are two options on how to connect to the internet with your own personal computer, depending where you’re located. In all the residence halls there are Ethernet ports supplied with fast speed internet, where all you have to do is plug in an Ethernet cord and are immediately connected. But if you live in one of the many residence halls on campus with wireless built in, then you could also get onto the wireless network instead. If you do not live in a residence hall you could still get onto the wireless network and even set it up where whenever your computer finds that signal, you’ll be connected to it automatically. But what if you’re thinking of living off campus next year and having an internet connection is on your list of needs for your new home? Will you get wired or wireless installed?

Having your internet installed for wireless is much easier than having it wired because there are fewer cords to drag across your rooms to reach the Ethernet port. Also for wireless you will more than likely need a laptop with a compatible wireless card built in. Desktops can be wireless compatible, but they would need to be specially built in. For a wired connection you will need an Ethernet cord. Wireless, depending on the battery life, has better mobility options, but there is a problem with walls and kitchen appliances like microwaves interfering with getting a good connection at times. Wired connections are cheaper and have a much faster connection, making it the best choice for those who play online games.

Both wired & wireless connections have their pros and cons. Making the decision on which one best suits your needs is up to you.

by Graham Ricks

The step our nation has taken to move towards a wireless future has finally spun off a hit: Wi-Fi Theft. Stealing wireless Internet is quickly becoming one of the most committed crimes in the United States, and yes it is a crime… a felony, actually. Accessing a wireless network that is unsecured is called Unauthorized Access to a Computer Network, a 3rd degree felony in most states.

You might say big deal… I don’t steal wireless Internet. That doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods yet though. If you have an unsecured wireless network and someone uses it for malicious purposes you may be held accountable. The FBI Cybercrime Division has stated that a homeowner that does not secure their wireless network is guilty of negligence.

So what are your options?

You could pay someone to secure your home or office network, or try to do it yourself. But why do that when you can just run down to Home Depot and get a can of security that cannot be bypassed?

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a household paint that blocks Wi-Fi signals. The one thing that separates this paint from all others is the addition of aluminum iron oxide, which has been found to resonate at the same frequency as Wi-Fi. This allows the paint to absorb and dissipate any wireless signal, allowing you to set up a physical wall around your wireless instead of depending on wireless security alone.

Currently the paint is not available on the commercial market, but when they release
Wi-Fi paint in colors like Citrus Orange or Avid Avocado I am not sure I will be able to resist.