Chapter 7

  Chapter 7 was all about wireless networking. I’ve been trying really hard to remember when I got my first wireless router, but I can’t place it. I do know I had one set up by at least 2008 because I have a distinct memory of streaming a movie still in theaters to my laptop in bed when I was hung over one morning that summer. I’ve moved twice since then and recall setting things up both those times.

  I set up a personal area network every time I get in my car. I use Bluetooth to connect my phone to my stereo so I can listen to the things I want to hear on my travels. Once again I can’t pinpoint the first time I ever PAN’d it up, but at this point it’s pretty much a daily thing for me. 

  Internet of Things, I have a couple of uses for. Some of my lights are controlled by an app, but my absolute favorite is my air conditioner thermostat. It was just installed this past spring, and we got a new IoT thermostat to control it. I loved being out for the day, and when I was about half an hour away from coming home, I could crank up the A/C to where I like it from my phone. Convenient and saved money and energy.

  I keep my home network secure using WPA2-PSK. I should disable the SSID broadcast at this point, anyone who needs to use my Wi-Fi at my house has probably already connected to it once and should have it saved. Also I don’t use the default login, that’s always the first thing to change when I set things up.

  I’m not usually one to connect to free Wi-Fi hotspots when I’m out and about, but if I do I try to stay vigilant about connecting to the network I want to, not falling for an evil twin attack.

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