Episode 987 June 15, 2013

Bill used to have a trial version of Network Magic, but since learned that it's been discontinued. He was wondering if there was a similar program he could get that would do the same thing. Leo says that Network Magic was needed when networking was newer, and setting up these networks was much more complex. The truth is, programs like these aren't really needed anymore, because routers are easier to set up now. Leo recommends just following the instructions that come with the router, and leaving it at that.

There are some basic security settings he should change or enable, however:

• Turn on WPA encryption, or WPA2 if the router supports it.

This will prevent people from gaining access to his network.

• Turn off WPS.

This is the "push button" encryption feature that some routers provide, and it's not very secure.

• Turn off UPnP.

This is universal plug'n'play, which has some serious security vulnerabilities that had been uncovered.

• Change the name of the router to something other than the default.

This should be something he knows, that doesn't encourage people to want to join it.

• Choose a memorable administrative password.

It doesn't have to be difficult, but something other than the default.

John wants to know how long companies can keep his email address? He's concerned about signing up for trial offers, and the company keeping his address. Leo says companies can keep email addresses as long as they want. He also says that anything after six months is considered abandoned and then anyone can access it. John should assume when he signs up that no one will get rid of the email because it's all used for marking. It's really not anything to worry too much about, though.

Leo says the Surface Pro tablet from Microsoft would work, but the Surface RT version would not. This is because the RT uses an Arm chip instead of an Intel chip.

Wyatt is a gamer, a huge XBox fan, and he's pretty upset with the new draconian used game policy that the XBox One will have. He believes it'll cause faithful fans like him go to Playstation which has no such restrictions. Leo says it's ridiculous and amounts to Microsoft and game publishers trying to get as much money as possible out of their fans. Microsoft is gambling it won't matter with the majority of those who buy it, and they may be right. Especially when the Playstation 4 is $100 less (of course, it doesn't come with a Kinect-like feature either). Also, optical media is going away. There's really no need to place this restriction on gamers when the market is moving towards online purchasing and downloading of games.