security

Bruce wants to know how he can secure his WiFi router. Leo says to first enter the router address (198.x.x.x) and then change the default password. Then, turn off Administer via WLan. This will prevent someone from the outside controlling your router. Step 3, turn off UPNP (aka universal plug-in play). This prevents a device inside of your network, like an Xbox, opening up your router to the internet when you don't want it to. Lastly, turn on WPA2 security encryption.

Alan wants to know if Philips Hue Lights would work as lights for a video webcast. Leo says since they can change colors, they can look really good on camera. But he also hears that older Hue bridges are being placed into its end of life. Leo says they are depreciating the older models, but that doesn't mean they won't continue to work. But the problem is, any bulb that is connected to the Internet may result in a security issue for your network. That's the main thing. It's important to get all the patches you can. But in most cases, you'll likely be fine.

Stan heard that Symantec-Norton broke up and is now called Norton Lifelock. He doesn't trust it right now and wants to know what he needs to do for it. Leo says he doesn't need it anyway. Windows Defender comes with Windows 10 and it's always updated. It also uses sandboxing so that if Defender is compromised, the rest of the OS won't be. And it's free. So get rid of Norton.

What about Lifelock? Leo says Lifelock still has value, but you can do a lot of that by putting a freeze on a credit rating so that nobody can mess with it. Contact all three reporting agencies for that.  

Mike is worried that his WiFi network is compromised since his encryption was bypassed. Leo said that WEP was hacked, and routers went to WPA. And then WPA2. But the latest news is that "Krack attacks" have gotten into WPA2. Leo says it's largely sensationalized headlines and that it's very hard to do and requires a lot of time being on the network itself. Also, by now, most routers have been patched against Krack. So it's not really anything to fret over. And WPA3 is on the horizon, with new routers turning it on with a software upgrade.

Here are some things you can do:

Tony wants to know if guest network accounts safe? Leo says yes, they are. But it greatly depends on how they are implemented. It needs to be sandboxed from the rest of the network so it can't get access to your computer data. 

Jose wants to know if he should get a Chromebook. Leo says that a Chromebook is great for those looking to get stuff done, but most of the things they do are online and in the cloud. Can he get the same by putting Linux on an older laptop and still be secure? Leo says that you can, but you have to update it regularly to keep it healthy. Leo recommends PopOS. But there's also an obscure OS called Qubes because it's very locked down. But it's very hard to use as well. 

Randy wants to know if the iPhone is more secure than Android. Leo says that mobile phones are now so mature, that they are all roughly the same. Android or iPhone. It comes down to which OS one is more comfortable with.