Internet

Clyde heard about the Jeep that got hacked and worries that it could happen to his car since he connects his phone to the car with USB. Leo says that simply connecting the phone to the car stereo isn't sufficient for this. The Jeep hack involved using the car's built-in 3G access. The real flaw is that the entertainment unit of the car and the computer running the car (braking, ignition, etc), are not physically separated. They are connected in many cars through the CamBus, or internal car network.

Brian has trouble watching streaming video: the internet "cuts out" on him. Leo says it sounds like an overheating router. The router is just a cheap, dumb computer and if it's running a lot of streaming, chances are his router is overheating. If it is, then it may be time to get a new one. Same thing with the modem. He should also try unplugging the router, waiting ten seconds, and plug it back in. If it comes back, then he'll know he needs a new router.

Aiden wants to know if investing in domain names is a good idea. Leo says that domain investing is just a fancy term for domain squatting. Leo doesn't think this is a legit practice. It's also risky as the ICANN can award trademarked domains to the trademark owner for free, leaving him out in the cold. Generic terms can be a risk, but he'd only need one to pay off for it to succeed.

Jim is frustrated because he'll be watching a video on his phone and it'll buffer. Leo says that's a speed/bandwidth issue. Streaming will buffer about 30 seconds of video before starting to get ahead. Then if the packets come out of order or slow down, the buffer is there. If it happens a lot, the buffer will just run out and rebuffer. So it has to do with connection, bandwidth, and the ability of your system to keep up. Faster internet will solve the problem, as will a lower resolution stream.

Mike is taking his family to the Baltics for the summer and has already unlocked his mobile phones. He's thinking about buying the unlimited data plans on the cruise ship. Leo says not to. It's woefully slow. They use a marine satellite and it has very little bandwidth. He'd end up getting up at 3 in the morning to use the Internet and download his email. Not worth $30 a day, especially since only one person can be signed on at a time.

Ken's ISP in the Dominican Republic locks down his router so he can't make any changes at all. Leo says as long as he can change the password and give it encryption, he'll be OK with everything else. But Ken says it causes his cell phone to lose connection when he's using VOIP on his SIP phone. Leo says he'll need a QOS feature that will prioritize internet telephones.

Logan has to create a long range wireless access point that will enable him to have broadband from up to 10 miles away. Leo says that's a long way for Wi-Fi, even for line of sight, which will help a lot.

Leo suggests checking out RadioLabs.com, they make long range Wi-Fi antennas. He'll need a highly directional antenna, and maybe even microwave antennas, because Wi-Fi may not be the best idea for such a long distance.

Steve us trying to automate his house, but everything seems to have to go to a server online. How can he just control everything locally via Wi-Fi? Leo says it's a good idea. You shouldn't have to go through the internet in order to make changes to your home automation. Philips lights would allow him to do it.

Jeff has a client who's going to be doing a great American roadtrip with RVs and they want to bring all their tech. They need to sync it all, and Jeff wants to know how they can do that while on the road? Leo says that the Airport Express is a Wi-Fi access spot and it will be a router if he plugs it into the internet primarily. Jeff can create an Ad-Hoc network without Internet access as well.

Jan has a friend who is a model and she's had some embarrassing private photos appear on the net. Leo says that could fall under the revenge porn law, and it could allow her to prosecute them. Most reliable places will take the images down if they had been contacted. If she's having trouble getting them taken down, the sites may be outside the US and it's hard to prosecute across international borders. But in time, that will change.