It’s Saturday, December 21, 2024 and 53°F in Austin, Texas
Firesheep - Why you'll never want to use free open WiFi again.
Halloween may be over, but one free piece of software called Firesheep should leave you very scared if you ever use open WiFi networks like those provided at many coffee shops... The tech world has been abuzz over the recent release of a free Firefox extension that allows anyone who has installed the extension to easily see other people logging in to popular sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Amazon over any unencrypted open WiFi connection -- and it in fact allows them to enter those accounts by simply clicking on the users' names that appear in the Firesheep sidebar.
The insecurity of open unencrypted WiFi networks has been lamented by security experts for a long time -- users of such networks were always at some risk of having their data captured and exploited by more tech savvy users with malicious intent. But most users at your local coffee shop never gave it much thought.... they should now!
Tech bloggers have been alarmed by the "ease of use" of this extension -- which essentially turns anyone with a laptop and Firefox into a potential hacker who can invade your online word -- if you access that world over unencrypted WiFi networks.
You can read more about the risks and some potential safeguards here:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/11/01/firesheep.wifi.security/
People using iPhones and similar mobile devices may be particularly at risk -- as their phones may not allow them to implement potential workaround solutions to avoid this vulnerability.
The primary way to avoid this would be to only use WPA encrypted WiFi networks -- even where the network password is freely distributed to the public -- or use your mobile carrier's 3G or 4G networks.
AUSTIN
the most beautiful
My Top Ten Most Beautiful Pictures of Austin
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TECH ADVICE
stop them once and for all
How to End Annoying Robocalls - OMG a Solution!
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WEB DESIGN
big breakthrough in color research
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WEB DESIGN
be prepared - choose wisely
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WEB DESIGN
essentials for success
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WEB DESIGN
max speed
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AUSTIN
save as many as you can!
Top 10 Reasons NOT to Move To Austin
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ANCESTRY RESEARCH
Howdy Grandmother!
Pocahontas ancestry and DNA - Sullivan Family Connection
How I discovered my ancestor Pocahontas and her Sullivan family descendants of Northern Virginia using the web - a genealogy posting by Bob Atchison.
Anonymous Love Letters - $500
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SEO Tips for Home Builders
When we build a new website for our home builder clients, we always try to focus on implementing "best practices search engine optimization (SEO)" to maximize their placement in organic search engine results.
GEDmatch Used to Snare Golden Gate Killer - Hackers Get MyHeritage Data
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Keller Williams Real Estate Agent Website Created
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Hummingbird Farms Upgrades Images on their Website
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Top Texas Home Builder Redesigns Website
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The Best Antique Roses for Your Austin Garden
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Maine Resort Redesigns Website
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My Favorite Semi-Precious Stones for Hardstone Animals
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Why do my website fonts and photos look blurry in Windows 10?
When users install or upgrade to Windows 10, "display scaling" may be turned on "by default" to either 125% or 150% resulting in blurriness when viewing websites or applications on certain monitors.
5 Common Website Mistakes to Avoid Making
We've been in the web design business since 1996, and have seen many small businesses make these easily avoidable but often costly mistakes with their websites.
Should You Use Live Chat in Your Website?
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Where to Find and Buy Old, Antique and David Austin Roses Online
Bob Atchison's guide to find rare, antique and cabbagey roses to order online. Here you'll find the best sources with roses I especially love and recommend for your garden.
How to Add MLS Listings to Your Real Estate Website
If you are a realtor or real estate broker, you need a website to advertise your business and attract new clients. Get clients to stay on your website by providing access to Multiple Listing Service (MLS) real estate listings.
New Real Estate Web-Tools Just Released
Now it's possible to have a website that surpasses the very best in real estate. You can get an incredible design with powerful databases that can do anything and everything you could dream of...
Overcoming Your UNNATURAL FEAR of Cursive Fonts
The unspoken fear all web designers dread - you've been asked to use cursive fonts! There is no escape... yes, it has happened to me, Bob Atchison, many times and I have the battle scars to prove it. Here are some cursive fonts I actually like.
Should You Use WordPress for Your Website?
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Drone Photography for Home Builder Websites
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Is Scotty Bowers Telling the Truth About Hepburn and Tracy?
Is Scotty Bowers, the famous Hollywood pimp telling the truth about Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn being gay? Here's a confirming story...
New Home Builder Website Checklist 
