Why Need a Network Security Camera

Pros

1. Easy to install: Most of the network cameras on the market are plug and play and/or have very simple to follow instructions for both the hardware and software end.
2. Comparatively cheaper than other security systems: Instead of paying a highly trained technician to install a complex CCTV system, and pay him on an ongoing maintenance arrangement- you can have a network camera security system that can stand on it's own against CCTV and traditional security systems.
3. Works with your existing computer network: If you already have a home network, then the network camera works with your settings, so you don't need to pay more for the proper security infrastructure.
4. Provide peace of mind: watch your home, watch your childs room, watch your vacation home, watch your pets while you are on vacation, etc
5. See remote areas: as far away as across the globe, or your own front porch from a centralized area. Can even remotely view your children at the nursery (depending on the nurseries policies though this is becoming more standard)
6. Flexibility: Prefer not to be tethered to the security control panel or hire a full time security professional to monitor things, then get security alerts which you can view from cell phone, laptop, or PDA device, and provide multiple users access to the various security assets.
7. Receive alerts via email when detects motion, either when someone visits your home, or when your children leave home to hang out.

Cons

1. May have poor image quality depending on model and configuration, and wireless cameras in general have poorer image quality on the lower to mid range.
2. For more bells and whistles, like sound recording, scheduled emails, and motion capture, it varies greatly from model and software description.
3. Generally, outdoor surveillance equipment is more costly, especially if you want the ability to remotely pan/tilt, zoom in, zoom out, and want a waterproof camera. However for a home system this is probably not as urgent as opposed to for a business situation.
4. Drains computer network resources, so if you don't have a speedy computer, then there's a chance of a slight slow down in your collective resources.

Remember that despite the cons, the benefits outweigh them as they provide great security results at a lower installation and maintenance cost than traditional Closed Circuit Television systems.

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Bluetooth Security

Bluetooth Security

These days, all communications technology faces the
issue of privacy and identity theft, with Bluetooth
being no exception.  Almost everyone knows that email
services and networks require security.  What users
of Bluetooth need to realize is that Bluetooth also
requires security measures as well.

The good news for Bluetooth users is that the
security scares, like most scares, are normally over
dramatized and blown entirely out of proportion.  The
truth being told, these issues are easy to manage,
with various measures already in place to provide
security for Bluetooth technology.

It's true that there has been some Bluetooth phones
that have been hacked into.  Most devices that are
hacked into are normally those that don't have any
type of security at all.

According to Bluetooth specialists, to hack
into a Bluetooth device, the hacker must:
    1.  Force two paired devices to break their
connection.
    2.  Steal the packets that are used to
resend the pin.
    3.  Decode the pin.

Of course, the hacker must also be within range of
the device, and using very expensive developer type
equipment.  Most specialists recommend that you
have a longer pin, with 8 digits being recommended.

Fundamentals of security
The "pairing process" is one of the most basic levels
of security for Bluetooth devices.  Pairing, is
two or more Bluetooth devices that recognize each
other by the profiles they share - often both must enter the same pin.

The core specifications for Bluetooth use an
encryption algorithm, which is completely and entirely
secure.  Once the devices pair with each other,
they to become entirely secure.

Until they have successfully paired, the Bluetooth
devices won't communicate with each other.  Due to
this pairing process and the fact that it is short ranging - Bluetooth technology is considered to be
secure.

As the news has indicated, experienced hackers
have developed ways to get around this level of
basic security.  There are ways to get around this
threat, as you can install software to prevent
hackers from getting in.

With Bluetooth becoming more and more popular, it's
really no wonder that security is always in
question.  As Bluetooth gets bigger and better,
security will always be something that no one
really takes lightly.

If you've been concerned about Bluetooth security
in the past, rest assured that newer device will
offer bigger and better security.  Preventing
hackers from getting in is something every owner
is concerned about - and the manufacturer's are
very aware.

Other wireless technology such as Garmin GPS utilizes complex wireless systems that let you know where you are, on any place in the world.

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How to Create Best Passwords

No sane person would ever like someone else reading her email. Or for that matter some other person using her password and breaking into a financial institution. You should, therefore, choose a strong, secure password in such a manner that would be a hard nut to crack for others and easy for you to remember. The more random and mixed-up you make it, the harder that it is for others to crack. Mind you, if your password is compromised, the password crackers will even take over your identity.

A password, if too short, is vulnerable to attack if an attacker gets hold of the cryptographic hash of the password. Present-day computers are fast enough to try all alphabetic passwords shorter than seven characters. We can call a password weak if it is short or is a default, or which can be rapidly guessed by searching a subset of all possible passwords such as words in the dictionary, proper names, words based on the user name or common variations on these themes.

On the other hand, a strong password would be sufficiently long, random, or which can be produced only by the user who chose it, so that 'guessing' for it will require too long a time.

For maximum security, the user should follow some simple guidelines:

1) Passwords should preferably be at least 8 characters long and not more than 14.

2) Passwords should contain a mix of numbers, letters, and special characters (%&3ac_ht4@m7).

3) Passwords should not contain a dictionary word from any dictionary, be it French, Spanish, medical, etc.

4) Each password should be different from the user's User-ID and any permutation of that User-ID.

5) New passwords and old passwords should differ by at least 3 characters.

6) Avoid picking names or nicknames of people, pets, or places, or personal information that can be easily found out, such as your birthday, address etc.

7) It's wise to stay away from common keyboard sequences, such as dfgh678 or abc345 .

8) Never form a password by appending a digit to a word. That can be easily guessed.

9) Avoid writing your password down or storing it on your computer.

10) Never share your password with anyone else.

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6 Steps To Speed Up Your Computer

We live in a fast paced world and we are always looking for the fastest way to get things have done. We barely have been timing to wait for our burger at the local fast food restaurant, our coffee to brew, our microwave popcorn to pop, so who has been timing to wait around for a slow computer?

Barring and adding more RAM to your computer, there are 6 steps you can take to speed up your computer's performance. Most of these steps will allow you to speed up your computer, free of charge since they are applications already installed on your computer.

The first step, you should take is to empty the Recycle Bin. It's easy to do. Just point your cursor to the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, right-click, and choose Empty Recycle Bin.

Next, open your Internet Explorer, go to Tools, Internet Options. Click on Delete Cookies, then on Delete Files. In the window that appears, check Delete all offline content and click OK. Once that's done, click OK to close the Internet Options window, and close your Internet Explorer.

Those two is, steps are the quickest, and simplest ones so that's why we got them out of the way first. Next, we'll be conducting a Disk Cleanup. To do this, click on Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup. The disk cleanup functions will now begin calculating how much space you will be able to free up. Once it finishes, it'll give you a list of files to delete. It should already have some files checked, but you can go through the list and check off all the files you want to delete, then click OK.

Now it's time to do a disk defragmentation. This could be a long process so you should probably set this up during a time when you have got other things going on. For example, set it up, then go watch your favorite TV show, or go mow the lawn, or go workout. You get the idea. To begin go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. Click Analyzes. If you are lucky, you'll get the "You do not need to defragment this volume" call-out, but more than likely, you'll have to click on "Defragment." If so, click on it, go do something else, and come back in an hour or two.

Once that's done, it's time to run a spyware scan. Most people don't realize how easy it is to get infected with spyware, so running periodic scans is highly recommended. You can use any anti-spyware program you choose. Just be aware that no one program gets rid of everything. To play it safe, you should run at least three different programs. You might be surprised by what they find. You may have had spyware running on your computer and not even know it. Once the scans are complete, and all that spyware is taken care of, it's time for the last step.

This lasted step is to run an anti-virus scan. I hope you have an anti-virus program installed on your computer. If not, I highly recommend you get one as soon as possible. Once the anti-virus program is set, go ahead and run it. This could take anywhere from 20 minutes to the couple hours depending on how many files you have on your hard drive so once again, set it, and then go do something else. Come back in about an hour.

Once all the steps are complete. Restart your computer and you'll be surprised at how completely nimble it now feels. It's a good idea to follow these 6 steps at least once per week (some steps you can even set up to be done automatically). By doing this, you will keep your computer performing almost like it did when you first bought it.

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Blu-Ray DVD - What is ?

Video technology has increased significantly over the past years, and is continuing to grow at an incredible rate. Digital Video Disc's aka DVD's are the most likely the last big jump in consumer video technology that everyone is familiar with. To keep up with the ever advancing world of electronics a new format of video storage will be released soon called Blu-ray.

Blu-Ray is a next generation optical disc that will blow the socks off what we all know today: DVD. Conventional DVD's use a red laser that have long wave lengths, which limits the storage capacity on a disc. Blu-Ray uses a blue laser which has much shorter wave lengths. Because the wave lengths on the Blu-Ray are much smaller it can focus on a spot with much greater precision, allowing for data to be packed much more tightly than the red laser DVD's.

Blu-Ray discs can hold up to 50GB of information which 10 times that of a 4.5GB DVD. 10 times the storage will greatly increase the amount of information that we can save on any one disc and will change the way we save information. Dual Layer Blu-Ray discs will be able to hold up to 4 hours of High-Definition Video. High Definition video is going to hit big here, Blu-Ray is an example of a technology that is going to make it happen. 50GB is probably comparable to size of many of our hard-drives, and to picture having all that information on a small disc that we can slide into a pocket and take wherever we want is a bit scary.

Expect to see Blu-Ray replacing DVD and VCR over the next few years, following along with the transition of video to High Definition Video. Video isn't the only thing that will benefit from Blu-Ray technology; I would expect that it will also become the standard for PC and other types of storage.

Feel frees to reprint this article since you keep the following caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

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Top 5 on 19-inch's LCD monitor

When you are considering a 19-inch's LCD monitor for your computer, you want to make sure you get the best. When looking at the top 5, 19-inch's monitors on the market, it is important to find those that are quick and helpful in terms of office production. Price, function, and several other factors can influence which monitors are in the top 5, but this list will at least give you a starting point.

The first of the top 5, 19-inch's LCD monitors on the market is the LG Electronics Flatron L1950B. With a resolution of 1280 by 1024 and several available adjustments, this is a great monitor for anyway. It has an easy to use height adjustment feature to keep it at eye level as you work. Also, this very slim and flat monitor gives a great looking image that is easy on the eyes and helps prevent that fatigue.

The second LCD flat screens monitor to make its way into the top five is the Dell UltraSharp 1905FP. This monitor comes in with a resolution of 1280 by 1024 with several available adjustments to that you can have it just how you like it. It also includes three 2.0 USB ports and a full range of adjustments of the physical settings. It is easy to use and offers a great picture.

Third on the top 5 19-inch's LCD monitors on the market is the ViewSonic VP930b. With a good resolution, again, at 1280 by 1024, the ViewSonic offers smooth and easy to use physical adjustments that allow you to comfortable with the monitor. The monitor even has a very nice stable stand that keep it in place and makes the physical adjustments easier.

The fourth on the list is the NEC MultiSync 90GX2. The resolution on this one is, like with most of these, 1280 by 102. The adjustment is limited to tilt and swivel, but often the height is actually pretty good. The screen is a glossy design that makes text easy to read and contrast prime. Scrolling through screen menus is easy so that picture adjustment is simple and quick for anyone.

Finally, in the top 5 19-inch's LCD monitors on the market is the Hyundai ImageQuest Q90U. Limit in adjustment to just tilt, the resolution is the same as all the rest at 1280 by 1024. There are two easy to use and reach USB 2.0 ports on this model. Three is a low response time to the monitor, but it does not really cause any problems in general use. Overall, it is still a strong monitor that you can get for about 40% less than the other models on the list.

Overall, looking at the top 5 19-inch's LCD monitors on the market can help you decide what will work best for you. In your home office, at work, or for fun these monitors are going to be easier on your eyes and better for space management. You will be glad you took the time to equip yourself with flat screen LCD.

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Buying Car LCD Monitors Tips

LCD monitors are showing up everywhere. Because they take away the fear of burn-in and still maintain clear contrast and great resolution, they are the perfect types of screen to use for most type of viewing. With the onset of modern car technology, LCD monitors are showing up in cars. You may be ready to buy a LCD monitor for your car, but before you do you should consider these tips in buying car LCD monitors.

The first of the tips in buying car LCD monitors is to decide what type of monitor you need. There are several types of monitors that show in cars now. Do you need an overhead video monitor so the kids can watch DVD?s? You may need, instead, a flip down video monitor that shows videos and then fold into the ceiling.

Additionally, there are in-dash monitors, headrest monitors, and even sun visor monitors. So you need to make sure, before you buy anything, that you know which kind you are buying. Where the monitor is that will affect the size you buy and the quality you get as well.

Next, you need to make sure that your vehicle will support the monitor you want to install. Check with the manufacturer to make sure your electric system and interior is capable of supporting the monitors you want to install. If you cannot install it, then you can save yourself the trouble of buying in the first place.

Once you know what kind of LCD monitor you need for your car and that it can be installed in your vehicle, it is, time to shop. Your shopping should begin by getting an idea of the baseline costs of what you need. By starting with the internet, you can compare several prices in a hurry and get a feel for what the market is like. Once you know what the internet is offering, then start looking at brick and mortar establishments.

Talk to sales people and find out what costs are like. Compare the prices to the internet prices you got before, and make sure you are getting the best deal. Additionally, you may want to inquire about installation as well. It could really save you the pain of trying to install a dash monitor or something in the head rest when you are not familiar with it. This is also the time to look into financing if that is something you are interested in. Get all questions out of the way early so that you know exactly what is going on.

Use these tips in buying car LCD monitors to enhance your vehicle. You can also make repair replacements if need be. The point is that you should be diligent and take the time to do a little homework. By familiarizing yourself with the prices, the compatibility with your car, and your installation costs, you will be able to make an informed and smart decision about the LCD monitor you buy for your car.

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What To Do Your Old Computer?

Anyone who has purchased a computer system has learned how quickly they lose their value, and become obsolete. This rapid devaluation often leads to the dilemma: what to do with an older system, when you are no longer going to use it? Selling it is most often a waste of time and effort. A computer bought for $3,000.00 on January 1, 2005 and then put up for sale on December 31, 2005 will rarely bring that offer of more than $100.00 - $150.00, and even these don?t come often. Older system are proportionately less valuable.

Quick, easy solution is to donate the computer system to a charity, and write-off what is appropriate. However, charities are quickly becoming more and more skeptical about accepting older computer systems, and less and less likely to surrender receipts (for use with a tax return) for very much money.

Sometimes it is a wise course of action to simply 'cannibalize' the older system for components that will work in other systems. Some components can be switched between older and newer computer systems. These can include power supplies, hard drives, RAM, graphics cards, speakers, keyboards, CD and DVD readers/writers and so forth. If you have an use/need for your old DVD burner in your newer system, you're almost always best off going the 'cannibal' route. However there are some other options, some of which can be quite attractive. Sometimes, the otherwise out-of-work computer system can be set to tend some necessary and/or useful affairs and matters.

Hand-in-hand with cannibalizing is stripping out components and selling them individually. This could be especially beneficial if you recently installed a hardware upgrade to the now defunct system, such as a good DVD or CD reader/writer, or a new hard drive. Not only are the components often easier to sell, they will bring more money and ship much, much easier and cheaper.

DEDICATED FAX SYSTEM
You can turn almost any old system into a dedicated fax receiver at either your home or office. It could be incredulously convenient to have a fax at the house! Anyone who has bought a house or car lately will attest to how nice a fax at the house would be. Remember, the system does not have to be set to always receive faxes. You can turn it on or off as you deem necessary based on your use and needs. All your system requires for this application is a phone line, a modem, and Windows?. The fax service in Windows? Must be turned on and configured in order for this to work properly. This is very easily accomplished through the Control Panel of Windows.

HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

Recently, manufacturers of computer systems and components have entered the home entertainment business with  the vengeance. No longer are computers just good for games and music, now you can hook them up to control your TV, cable signals, speaker systems, VCR, DVD player, etc. You can even record to and play from them. The system would need some hardware and software, but not too much, and all the necessities can be had at reasonable (and quickly dropping) prices. You can learn more about the rapidly growing home entertainment computer systems industry on any number of sites on the Internet. A good place to start is www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/default.mspx.

As you can see, you don't have to throw up your hands and scream when you're offered 5% of what you paid for your computer system a year earlier. There are some other options, some of which can be quite satisfying and rewarding.

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