Tezzo's Technology Blog

OVERVIEW Wi-Fi networks (sometimes called by their technical name  802.11) allow people to wirelessly connect devices to the  Internet, such as smartphones, gaming consoles, tablets,  and laptops.  Because Wi-Fi networks are simple to setup,  many people install their own Wi-Fi networks at home.   However, many home Wi-Fi networks are configured  insecurely, allowing strangers or unauthorized people to  easily access your home network or anonymously abuse  your Internet connection. To ensure you have a safe and  secure home Wi-Fi network, here are a few simple steps  you should take. The key to a secure home Wi-Fi network is making sure only you have administrative access, your communications are encrypted, and that people have to authenticate to use your network More at: OUCH

Optimize Your PC with Advanced SystemCare 5 Free Proceed with caution. That's what I always advise when people ask me about PC-optimization utilities like  Ashampoo WinOptimizer 8  ($50) and  CCleaner  (free). While these tools can be helpful, they can also create problems--usually when users go overboard with the amount of "cleaning" they attempt. I mention this only for purposes of introduction to Iobit's  Advanced SystemCare 5 Free , the latest version of one of the more popular "computer healthcare" products. I recently tested it on a year-old Windows 7 system, and was very pleased with the results. (One important note right up front: Advanced SystemCare will try to sneak in a few bits of junkware during installation, so be sure you opt out--don't just blindly click  Next  on each setup screen.) The program can perform a wide range of functions, starting with the handy Quick Care, which scans for and removes malware, cleans up the Regist...

"We handle a lot of different topics throughout the year, and our how-to guides come in a wide range of sizes and subjects, but the goal is always the same: to make it easy for you to accomplish something awesome. Here's a look back at our most popular how-to features of 2011." More at:  Mashable

Why buy an HDTV when you have a perfectly good screen right in front of you? Here's how to stream live TV to your PC. Everyone assumes that consumers want to stream Internet programs and media to the big high-def screen in the living room. Heck, these days the market is filled with  set-top boxes  dedicated to funneling Internet media to HDTVs. But what if you want to do the opposite, and stream live television to a smaller screen--the one connected to your computer? More at:   PCWorld

The top three connection issues and how to fix them. What’s the biggest difference between a wired and a wireless network? A wireless network is only as robust as its signal. In other words, setting up a Wireless-N network doesn’t always mean you’re going to get Wireless-N speeds. Poor signal strength and range, interference from non-network wireless devices, and the way your router broadcasts Wi-Fi signals can cause network slowdowns. If you’re ready to improve your wireless network but you’d rather not start from scratch with a new router, read on. We’ll show you exactly how to deal with the three biggest challenges. Overcoming poor signal strength and range Amplifi Wi-Fi Booster You can easily extend your existing network into hard-to-reach locations by installing an access point, which connects directly to your existing router and improves its wireless signal. Access points like D-Link’s  DAP-1525 Amplifi Wi-Fi Booster  require no additional setup or passwords to ...

If you want to download YouTube videos without having to pay a fee, install a toolbar, or run a dubious browser plug-in, check out our handy guide to using YouTube Downloader HD . A free downloadable program, YouTube Downloader HD keeps things simple: You provide the URL of the video, select the video quality and format, and click the Download button. YouTube Downloader HD has a limited selection of output formats and can’t download from video sites other than YouTube, but it still shines with its adware-free installation, ability to download multiple videos simultaneously, and automatic conversion feature. More at:   PCWorld

"The iPad is a great device even when its offline, but like nearly all computing devices these days it is much greater when it’s connected to the web. For most of us, most of the time that means connecting via a WiFi network when possible. So it is terribly frustrating when an iPad won’t connect to a home WiFi network. So I thought I’d share some basic troubleshooting tips for when your iPad won’t connect to your WiFi network, and some potential quick fixes." See more at  iPad Insight :