types of wifi routers Archives

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

No one believes in sitting at one single place to connect with the world. Which is why most homes have WiFi network installed these days. But the same WiFi connectivity can become a frustrating struggle if you find yourself struggling with bad reception, slow speeds and/or any other problem.

To boost your home WiFi, this article presents 10 great ways.

1. Get a new WiFi adapter to attach to your old laptop

You can invest in a WiFi adapter and use it to boost the connectivity when using an old laptop. Such an adapter will come with 802.11ac technology. You can plug the adapter in one of the USB ports available in your laptop.

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They might look bulky, but definitely increase the speed of wireless network you receive from your router. However, it is important that you choose a high-quality adapter with good AC capabilities.

For instance, AC1200 is considered the minimum required level. Anything below this won’t provide the speed you are looking for.

2. Invest in a router of 802.11ac category

An 802.11ac is also known as an AC category router in the market. If you have a router which belongs to N or G category, you definitely need an upgrade.

These categories are considered cheap as they don’t have the capacity to transfer the high-quality speed of the network to the connected devices. Your network gets faster and delivers maximum connectivity when you have an AC category router.

Of course, you will feel confused when purchasing a new router. Which is why you need to understand the basics in advance before making a decision.

Most of your home devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and others consist of AC wireless technology. So, you can feel free to pick a router in the category of 802.11ac.

All the future devices in the upcoming years will include the AC wireless tech only. So, switching your router would be a wise move.

When you get a new router, you get firmware updates that protect against various security issues. These security features are not upgraded usually in N or G types of routers.

The strength of the performance in 802.11ac comes in the form of its range and speed. You can get dual-band or even a tri-band router to get better device connection management. So, all devices get the best speeds.

3. Consider a system of WiFi mesh

If your WiFi performance is not reaching every corner of your big home, you can think about several solutions. First of all, you can try to include different access points in your home to cover area corner with wireless network.

You can use a WiFi extender to enhance the signal in certain areas. Find places where you can use Ethernet cables to create wired connections.

Beyond all that, very big homes can also consider using the system of WiFi mesh. This will be a one-step solution for all the WiFi performance issues you find in some areas of your home.

Mesh systems are designed for easy installation and provide controllability using a specific mobile application. They surely use some speed, but provide better performance by enhancing the range and the quality of connections. This way, you can sit anywhere in your big house and still get the best possible speeds.

4. Keep your router in an open area

No one feels thrilled about the design of a router. Which is why people usually put in a cupboard or hidden behind the curtains. But the placement of the router also decides the signal performance you receive.

So, a router in your TV cabinet might not send proper signals in every part of your home. The best location for a router is out in an open area. The area should be a flat surface such as a table.

Moreover, you can try to get it installed on a wall. There are router mounting brackets available in the market, which you can use to fulfill this purpose. If possible, try to place the two antennas perpendicular to each other.

5. Select a central area for router placement

You should also carefully choose a central area in your home to place the router. This will ensure complete coverage of the whole house. The signal comes out from the antennas of a router.

Then, it extends in all directions. So, if you place your router in one corner, you will be wasting one aspect of signal that comes out of it.

Mostly, people feel restricted to place a router in a corner due to the short-length of cables. But the problem is resolvable with Ethernet cables. You can ensure the central location of Wi-Fi with Ethernet cables.

You will need professionals’ help to have these cables in your behind the walls or above the ceiling. If not, you can also use cable clips to attach these cables to the walls.

6. Find a suitable wireless channel

If other families also use WiFi in your neighborhood, their access points and routers can interfere with yours. This can degrade the quality of signals.

The good news is that a wireless network can easily operate via different channels. You simply need to pick a channel that has the least possible interference.

Generally, your router knows the right channel and pick automatically. But you should take a look to ensure if it is causing the network issues. There are tools that help you analyze your Wi-Fi, which you can find online.

7. Secure your wireless network from hackers

WiFi security holds great importance to keep your wireless network performance top-notch. If hackers get a chance, they use your network and reduce the quality of internet speed you receive.

The most important part of securing your WiFi network is keeping the firmware updated. Your router comes with firmware security features. It is important that you keep it updated with the new features provided by the manufacturers.

To create WiFi passwords, you should utilize WPA2 encryption, as it is the latest technology. At the same time, you can’t keep using the default password and username. It is too obvious to guess and opens your network for hackers. You should customize the login details and keep it secure.

Whenever you are not using the connection, use the physical switch off button on the router to turn it off. Switch it on with your fingers to start the WPS for configuration. Also, if there are remote management features available in your router, disable them whenever not required.

8. Use simple tricks to increase WiFi range

The range of a wireless network is the area it covers when sending the signal. You can increase its capacity by some simple tricks. For this, you will need an old can of beer.

Carefully cut out the top part of the can to make it look like a glass. Then, you need to make a hole in the center of the bottom of the can. Make sure this hole is sharp and wide enough to go inside your router’s antenna.

Now, you need to cut the beer can vertically once, and cut from the circumference of the bottom, leaving a little portion attached to the bottom part.

Use your hands to open the can to shape it like a curved antenna. Then, put it on the antennas by crossing it through the bottom hole. This will give a boost to your wireless network range.

9. Invest in a WiFi extender

If you want some serious improvement in the wireless range department, an extender would be a wise move. The Wi-Fi extenders are also known as boosters and repeaters.

They catch the signal coming from the main router and redistribute with higher quality. The amplification of the signal improves the range of a wireless network in your home.

You can easily install an extender in the area where the signal is weak. The process of installation doesn’t take more than several minutes.

Modern-age extenders allow you to control them using online or mobile phone applications. You can also adjust the Wi-Fi settings with them according to your preference. This increases the performance and experience of using WiFi routers at home.

10. Take your router to new access points

Good quality routers allow you to quickly and easily change their location to new access points. The process of hardware disabling takes seconds, so you can decide the location with respect to different access points.

You can do this manually and allow all kinds of equipment, old or new, to receive the best connection performance.

Read Also: 6 Easy Steps to Set WiFi Password

Along with all the mentioned ways, you can also think about getting stronger antennas for your router. Also, try to manage some applications on your device that take a lot of bandwidth.

And if you find yourself struggling with a low-quality wireless network speed or range, reboot the router. This process will start the router again and might bring back the regular strength in the wireless network.

Hopefully, these tips will help you!

Posted on April 8, 2019 by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

The present-day reality involves multiple devices and their connectivity with each other. We live in a globally connected world, in which, the wireless network has become an essential part of our life. Making a call, streaming TV, watching shows online and other facilities require a strong Wi-Fi network.

For that, you need a high-quality Wi-Fi router. But there are many options out there to choose from. This article will help you pick a good Wi-Fi router for your wireless network.

Read Also: Best Routers For Business 2019

So, let’s begin!

1. Find out the top internet speed you get

You need to contact your ISP or Internet Service Provider to find out the top internet speed. Or, you can check your service account details to find out this information.

The speed of the internet is measured using Mbps or megabits/second. This measurement allows you to know the minimum speed your router should be able to handle.

For instance, if you get 100 Mbps of maximum speed, you will require a router that can easily manage a minimum of 100 Mbps speed.

It is tempting to think about the best possible router for your network. But why waste a lot of money for no reason?! A person living in a single-room apartment won’t require the most expensive Wi-Fi router, especially if the maximum internet speed is only 50Mbps.

The eight antennas of a big router won’t help such a person receive a higher speed. Which is why understanding your internet speed matters before you even think about looking at any Wi-Fi router.

2. Determine the total area you desire to cover

When you live in a big house, it becomes a concerning factor in terms of router select and Wi-Fi network. Small homes and apartments only need one router.

You can attach a router with high-quality antennas and it does the job. But that is not possible when you have a large area to cover.

Which is why you should think about testing stuff before paying a lot of money for a device. There are online reviews available for almost every brand and model of router these days.

You can also ask your friends or relatives who are already using a router in a similar area you want to cover. If your area is too large, you can also look and find out about Wi-Fi extenders that enhance the range and speed of routers.

Also, you can ensure a powerful coverage of the whole area by using Wi-Fi kits. Unlike a single-piece router, these ones work together to cover huge indoor areas.

3. Count devices that need connectivity to the network

If you have a laptop, a smartphone, and TV streaming gadget, these devices are easily connected to one router. So, no need to worry! However, it is important to understand that the strength of your network and the speed decrease as you add more devices. This happens when you connect multiple devices together to the network.

Suppose you get yourself a router with a bandwidth of 2.4 GHz. Generally, this router can give a top speed of 300 Mbps. If you connect 10 devices together, each device would receive about 30 Mbps from the network.

This is the reason why you need a dual band and high-end router to cover the connectivity requirements of your home or office. If online video streaming is required all day long, you should consider a router with tri-band.

You should keep in mind the number of Ethernet ports available in a router. This way, you can create a wired connection with as many devices as possible.

4. Understand multi-user MIMO

Further complications come from the MIMO technology which you find in routers these days. The MU-MIMO is also called multi-user of multiple-input and multiple-output. Earlier technologies included single-user MIMO, which allowed data delivery to a single device in a moment.

The SU-MIMO tech rotates the data transfer to cover each device in a sequence. On the other hand, an MU-MIMO tech can deliver data to multiple devices simultaneously.

For most requirements, you can rely on the SU-MIMO tech. The rotation of data delivery doesn’t take too much time. In fact, you won’t even realize it. But, if you have multiple users connected to one network and they want to stream video and play online games at once, you need MU-MIMO.

With multi-user tech, data transfer gets smoother, which doesn’t interrupt with the simultaneous use of the network.

The tech of MU-MIMO works of the modern devices that have this capacity. So, you need to find those capabilities before picking a router with MU-MIMO.

5. Evaluate security and software features

Some people like to know everything that a router is being used for. If you are that person, you would want to get a router with modern firmware.

This will come with firewall technology and other features to help you control the network usage. You can find routers that support third-party firmware, which will further enhance the control features.

Read Also: 6 Best Modem-Router Combos of 2019

When you live with children, internet exposure becomes a concerning factor. You don’t want your kids to find inappropriate content online. You can find a solution to this problem as well with the right router selection.

There are routers available with parental control features built into them. Such routers allow you to give a fixed time slot of internet usage for kids. Also, you can restrict websites and other sources depending on the content they provide.

6. Understand router range and router speed

Understanding the router speed and router range is important to make the selection. The range and speed are not as easy as they sound. A router’s speed and range features can differ in various aspects:

Advertised speed

This is the speed you see in a brand advertisement and on product packages. The router manufacturing companies combine the band speeds of all their routers and create a rounded value.

This is the number you see while reading the product description of a router brand. But most devices don’t connect with multiple bands together. Which is why this advertised speed means nothing when you are actually using a router.

This is the speed you see in a brand advertisement and on product packages. The router manufacturing companies combine the band speeds of all their routers and create a rounded value.

Ceiling speed

This speed is related to the capacity of your devices. This value shows the maximum speed a device can handle when connected to a wireless network. So, for instance, if your device is capable of 500 Mbps speed as its ceiling speed, you can’t benefit it in any way by adding a router with 800 Mbps speed.

The router can’t enhance the speed because the device can’t cross the ceiling speed of 500 Mbps. So, you should understand the ceiling speed of your devices beforehand.

Router range

The range of a router is the maximum distance away from a router where you can catch the signal. The range of routers differs, depending on the number and quality of antennas they have. So, you need to understand the range and match it with the area you want to cover.

7. Choose the AC category

There are two categories in routers with respect to connection quality. You can get an “AC” category or “N” category. The N category of routers provides low-quality connection, which is why you pay a cheap price to get such routers.

These routers waste your high-quality connection speed provided by an ISP. On the other hand, the AC category ensures proper connection and easily extends the quality of network speed to the devices you use. This category is available in dual as well as tri-band routers.

There are other designations such as A, B or G. But they are considered totally obsolete.

8. Ensure WPA2 encryption support

WPA2 encryption is the latest security type you can acquire in routers these days. So, make sure your router contains this feature. Every router in the AC category is required to support this encryption.

There are outdated encryption types available such as WPA and WEP. You need to avoid them and look for the WPA2 certification while reading the product features.

9. Search for the right router

After following all the above-mentioned steps, you can begin your search for a specific type of router. This is the time when you can go through reviews, check models and talk to your ISP provider for suggestions. You have to be thorough about the evaluations you make.

A few good reviews aren’t enough to make a decision. You should find contact details and call customer service to understand more about the technology of a router model.

Depending on the features you select, create a decent budget you are ready to spend. No need to pick the most-expensive router without knowing how usable its features are for you.

At the same time, you can’t go too low in terms of prices. It will not let you have the features you want. Go through multiple router options to understand a budget range you should create.

Follow every step one-by-one and you will find a good Wi-Fi router for your purpose.

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

Given the advances in digital technology, it is important that we take a closer look at some of the best router of 2019.

Routers are essential for good connectivity which is why it is important that we take a closer look at some of the top options for this year.

The problem is that there are so many to pick from, that deciding one from the many can seem like an overwhelming task. That’s why we have collated some of the best routers for 2019 for easy convenience.

1. TP-LINK TL-WR940N Wireless-N450

Let’s start off right away by stating that as far as wireless routers go, this is an inexpensive one but one that’s exceptional as well. It comes with a speed of 450Mbps which makes it perfect especially if you are planning to use a good amount of bandwidth as in gaming.

This router with its high bandwidth speed should enable you to stream videos, games etc. Furthermore, this IP based device can help regulate the bandwidth allocated to each device connected to your Wi-Fi.

It also comes with secure encryption so you know that your information remains secure at all times. And the parental controls can help you keep regulate content for your kids as well. Some of the specs associated with this product are as follows –

It utilizes 11n technology which is faster and covers more area
It is powered by a single core processor
Not compatible with phone line internet
It also comes with 3X antennas for better connectivity and coverage

2. Netgear WNDR4300 N750

This is one of the most popular routers for the simple reason that it can be really fast, it comes with the speed of 300 Mbps, 400+Mbps as well as 750 Mbps.

It helps to provide you with the required coverage you need for your Wi-Fi network. You can sync your USB drives wirelessly to this device and even transfer data between the both.

This product is built to be robust and provides you with a secure platform through which can synchronize and connect with several devices. It also comes with parental control as well.

One of the remarkable features of this product is its QOS feature with the help of which you can prioritize your online traffic. Some of the main specs of this product are –

It comes with dual-band feature which should help limit interference
It also comes with 2 USB ports
You can easily set up a separate entrance for your guests.

3. Linksys Max-Stream AC2200

This is an intelligent tri-band route that works with Amazon Alexa encryption and provides you with a secure connection. This tri-band router is slightly expensive but if you want a secure router, one that is capable of delivering extremely high speeds, then this tri-band wireless and the smart router are as good as it gets.

You would definitely need this router if you have a lot of wireless compatible devices since you can connect them to Linksys. It comes with speed of 2.2Gbps for lag-free streaming or gaming.

But what makes this router worth it is the fact that it auto-updates its firmware and therefore, it provides you with the best speeds as well as encryption that you require. These are some of the main specs of this product

It supports multiple wireless connections at the same time
It is powered by the quad-core processor at 716 MHz
It also comes with USB and Ethernet ports
You can use it to regulate the bandwidth between your various devices.

4. ASUS 3-In-1 Wireless Router (RT-N12)

This is a three in one Wi-Fi router that you can use to stream high-speed content to your whole residence. This device is cheap and yet, it comes loaded with key functions which you can find on some of the premium routers out there.

The device comes with the wireless access point, Wi-Fi router, as well as a Wi-Fi range extender, and with it, you should be able to access the net from any part of your residence.

It also comes with 4SSIDs with which you can manage control, allocate bandwidth to each connected device and even regulate access to network connectivity.

Incidentally, it comes with a speed of 300 Mbps and comes with two antennas which can be detached and repositioned easily. It also comes with the following specs as well –

This device comes with the 2T2R MIMO technology
Comes with easy setup
With it, you can easily switch between different modes
It also comes with enhanced privacy along with controls that you can tweak.

5. Securifi Almond

This handy little router comes with a touch screen function which definitely makes it stand out, among the crowd. For starters, it comes with easy set up where you can set it up in under three minutes.

This is a multifunction device which you can use as a Wi-Fi router, access point as well as range extender. With this device, you should be able to get coverage from any part of your residence.

It also comes with parental control function with which you can manage the online activities of your children and even help protect them from unsavory content. It also comes with one-year warranty as well as support. This device comes with some of the following specs.

It is wireless
Provides speed of 300 Mbps
Each device manufactured comes with unique SSID
It also comes with two internal antennas as well as two LAN posts as well as

6. Asus RT-AC5300 Tri-Band Wireless Router

Granted that this router is slightly pricier than the last Asus router, but it makes for a perfect fit, especially if you are into online gaming and need to access high speeds and good quality bandwidth.

It comes with a combined speed rate of 5334 Mbps as well as tri-band smart connect which ensures stable connectivity at all times. In fact, with this router, you need not to worry that your connection would go awol, and can be reassured that you will remain connected, at all times.

With its high speed, you should be able to access online data, download and upload larger sized data seamlessly. It also comes with Trend Micro’s Ai protection which provides you with multilayer protection and goes all out to ensure that your connection stays private and your information secure, at all times.

It also comes with built-in access to WTFast gamers private network as well. Here are some of the key specs of this product –

It provides maximum coverage as it comes with a tri-band feature
It comes with power adaptor as well as 8 detachable antennas
It uses the web interface for easy installation and you should get it set up in minutes
It also allows you to manage the router just from your phone.

7. Medialink AC1200 Wireless Gigabit Router

This router is really fast and that has got to be an understatement. Given its speed and bandwidth, this router is the one you need especially if you need fast connectivity and the ability to upload and download huge packets of data right away.

It provides excellent wireless coverage both for small and large residences, and as it comes with a dual-band Wi-Fi, it prevents any interference with the same. It also comes with 2.0 USB port as well as multiple LAN ports which makes this router stand out for all the right reasons.

What makes this route stand out is that it also comes with beamforming technology which allows you to beam videos and data from online sources much faster.

It also comes with automatic signal management which enables you to manage your Wi-Fi signal and to ensure that your devices receive the best signal, and at all times.

It is powered by Broadcom ARM Cortex –A7 CPU processor
It comes with a strong firewall which can provide you with the enhanced security that you need
It can handle 12 or more devices being connected to the Wi-Fi at the same time
Comes with high speeds
It also comes with 2 built-in antennas for better coverage
It also provides you with better control over access
It also comes with a range extender with which you can boost your Wi-Fi signal.

Read Also: 6 Best Modem-Router Combos of 2019

These are some of the best routers of 2019, you can take your pick of the lot and decide which one suits you better, given your current requirements.

It is important that you consider your current requirements carefully and opt for a router, one that provides you with the best secure connection you need.

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

When it comes to your children and their habit of using the internet, you know two things for sure:

Too much internet addiction is not good for them.
But, the internet offers a high-quality learning ground.

To provide a balanced exposure to the internet, you can use parental control routers.

This article has 20 of the best parental control routers to use in 2019.

Read Also : Top 25 Parental Control Apps

1. Asus AC3100

With Asus AC3100, you attain dual-band function, which offers great speed to a maximum of 2.1 Gbps. The router contains four antennas and the brand promises a wide range of coverage in an area of 5000 sq. ft.

The dual-core processor of 1.4 GHz makes data transfer convenient. With all that, you get AiProtection feature in this router to manage all kinds of parental control.

2. Router Limits Mini

To make a budget-friendly router purchase with a parental control feature, you can choose this mini router. This small router provides connectivity feature, which allows you to connect to an existing router.

This gives control over everything that your child sees using the internet. You can connect it with any device your child uses to access the internet. The speed gets enhanced along with the coverage, but it all stays under your control.

3. Linksys AC1750

Among all the routers with parental control, Linksys AC1750 is the lowest priced router. This dual-band router offers a speed of 1.7 Gbps. The coverage is decent and you get to use a Wi-Fi app on Android as well as iPhone devices.

The app helps in using the network in a prioritized and controlled manner. The app also provides the ability to set various parental controls to avoid certain types of content.

4. Netgear Nighthawk AC1900

You can get 1.3 Gbps of speed with this dual-band router. The router contains a QoS or quality-of-service feature, which allows you to prioritize bandwidth for better quality on certain devices.

So, you can improve bandwidth to stream videos or to play games. The router even supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, which turns your home into a smart place to live. You can also monitor the use of network by setting parental controls.

5. Circle with Disney

If you already have a router, use this device to integrate parental control feature. This small, beautiful looking device is easily pluggable and gives you control over the use of network.

The connection allows you to use an app on your Android or an iPhone device. Using the app, you can filter content available online for yourself and your kids.

There are multiple age-appropriate settings to set different kinds of filters. So, you can provide different accessibility to your 5-year-old, 10-year-old and 15-year-old.

6. Netgear R7000P Nighthawk AC2300

This dual-band device is fast with an access speed of 1.6 Gbps. Bandwidth maximization becomes possible as this router supports MU-MIMO.

You can easily connect the device to storage drives and transfer content. The parental control is built-in, which allows you to download the app of Disney Circle and decide the accessibility for your kids.

7. Symantec Norton Core

Internet security doesn’t have to be a concern for you. This router is one of the most secure options you can find out there. The beautiful geometrical globe-like shape of the router looks amazing.

You can connect the router to access the network. The router offers an app to control Wi-Fi settings and accessibility. There are several kinds of content filtration options. Plus, you can monitor kids’ internet activities on an ongoing basis.

8. Buffalo Airstation Router

The performance level is moderate about 400 Mbps. But the router comes with filtration ability for inappropriate content.

The router provides support to desktop and other devices. And you can easily install and configure without wasting too much time. The range of network stays around 15 ft. The spatial distance decides the network strength as well.

9. Linksys EA6900 AC1900

This model from Linksys is a bit expensive, but offers complete safety. The router contains 3 antennas, which provides complete coverage of your home.

The dual-core processor makes high speeds possible to manage data transfer easily. The router also supports cloud storage.

The safety protocols and parental control features are updated regularly to improve the controllability. You can control the network access and decide a fixed time period for your kids to use the internet.

10. D-Link Gaming Router AC1300

With dual-band, this router offers a speed range of 450-867 Mbps. The StreamBoost feature of this router improves the internet network management capacity for users.

The installation and configuration take no time if you use a Wizard. You can customize and blacklist content and set various time limits for internet accessibility.

11. Netgear AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi

Simple-to-use and great range of coverage, this router is smart and perfect for any home. You get 40 feet of coverage along with a speed that can reach 1750 Mbps.

You can connect this router to 12 devices at the same time. The router provides parental control on all those devices. You can remotely access router’s setting and review and manage the use of the network.

12. Clean Router

This parental control router is connectable to a modem. The configured router provides control over every device including the connected gaming consoles.

You can restrict certain sites and decide what sort content is watched by your kind. This also includes the videos your kid watches on YouTube. The filtration capability has nine different categories.

13. Tenda AC9 Wireless AC1200

With two antennas and support from Beamforming tech, this router is a package of features. And you can control all those features using its Tenda App.

You can blacklist and whitelist content types, websites, and other sources. The control features also give you the ability to restrict access to a particular time period.

14. Screen

A small device that comes with an app installable on Android and iPhone devices. You can connect the app with all kinds of content devices such as streaming gadgets, TV, gaming console and others.

Then, you can monitor each and every device and decide a bedtime, use tracking facility and cut off internet as per your requirement. The control is possible remotely, so you always stay one step ahead!

15. Torch Router

The beautiful wood veneer design of this router is the first thing you notice. However, the internet filter features are also impressive.

You can control devices without even using any software or app. A standard monitoring, website locking, and other control features become easy. You can preset network accessibility and decide the cut off periods.

16. Xfinity

Xfinity is best to offer appropriate content exposure to your kids via the internet, television and other sources. The parental control feature for TV has voice control, which you can access remotely.

You can control the content streaming on platforms such as YouTube, Netflix, and Pandora. The Wi-Fi access is controllable as well.

17. Luma

This router has unique parental control features. For instance, you can decide network access with respect to the daily time period, bedtime restriction and also give a pause period to the accessibility.

All the restrictions work on each and every connected device. You can decide which devices get the restricted access to Wi-Fi. Luma also identifies malicious software and blocks them for you. However, content filter stays under your control completely.

18. UnGlue

UnGlue has been designed especially for kids, so you can help them manage their time on the internet. This model gives you control over the total screen time of your kid.

You can balance kid’s screen time on smartphones, laptops, tablets, television and other gadgets using this single device. You can block adult and violent content, pause the internet and obtain activity reports as well.

19. Koala Safe

This tiny tool is pluggable to an existing Wi-Fi router you have at home. Connecting this tool allows you to create a kid-friendly network environment at home.

No violent or adult content becomes visible to your kid. You can decide the time period, for which, your kid uses the internet. Plus, get different reports on internet access.

You can purchase this one tool once and forget about paying any extra cash for subscriptions.

20. Ryfi

This tool offers a reward system, which comes built-in. You can utilize this tool to give different tasks to your kids. Once the task is finished, kids earn more internet access time.

You can connect Ryfi to your existing router and modify the settings on the device to begin the use. This tool is more fun for kids, as they get to involve in the process of earning more internet access time.

Conclusion

So, there you have all your top 20 parental control routers. Now, you can choose the best-suited one for your requirements and make your home Wi-Fi kids-friendly in 2019. If you already have a router, you can choose a parental control router attached provided in this list.

Hopefully, you are feeling less concerned about the internet accessibility of your kid.

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

Wifi technology is extremely convenient because it allows us to access the internet wirelessly. Connecting your laptop to Wifi is really simple. Let’s look at the components of a Wifi Setup to understand how to connect to a WiFi in three easy steps.

Modem : A modem is device the converts the analog signal into digital signal. It is short from for modulator-demodulator and is required to convert the data from internet that travels through optical fibers.

Quick Fact – Do you know how internet connections are made possible between your Internet Service Provides (ISP) and servers across the globe? This is not done wireless or through the satellite.

Data is transmitted through optical fibers laid in the oceans. These cables are called Submarine Cables and physically connect all the continents and countries of the world.

Router : A router is a device that is connected to Modem and converts the digital data into radio waves. Radio waves are what makes WiFi possible.

Instead of transmitting data from internet via a cable connected to modem (like in the old days), the data in a WiFi network is carried by radio waves.

Nowadays some ISP provide the modem and router in a single device to make things easier. The router is just connected to the cable that comes from the local Internet Service Provider (ISP) of through the ethernet ports given in the apartments (which are again connected to cables by ISP)

Laptop: Your router is connected to your computing device like laptop, mobile and PC through the radio waves. All modern devices have an in-built WiFi adapter that can send and receive data wirelessly (through radio waves) from your router.

This is the setup of a WiFi network, now lets look at how to connect your Laptop to WiFi in 3 simple steps:

Step 1

Make sure your WiFi network is active, router is on and modem is connected. Also keep WiFi password handy as you will be prompted to enter it in next step.

If it’s your first time starting a WiFi in your home/ office you will have to setup the WiFi network with the secure password.

To setup a WiFi, just switch on and connect your router and modem to the cable / Ethernet port provided by your local ISP.

After that you need to go to your browser in your laptop and type in your IP address. This IP address will depend on the router service you use.

For example Belkin users must type in http://192.168.0.1. and Linksys users have to type in http://192.168.1.1. in their browser. You can find this IP address in the router manual or on Google.

You can then set your routers username and password. Set the SSID (wireless capability) as active and type in the username and password provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Choose WPA as your security. You can take help from your ISP to set this up or if you run into problems.

Step 2

Now that the your WiFi is setup and working switch on your laptop. There will be an internet access icon at the bottom right of your screen. Simple click on it and select the name of WiFi you want to connect to ( or the one you set up in previous step).

If you don’t see the icon, go to settings in your laptop. Select Network & Internet in it and select WiFi. Switch on WiFi and you will see all the WiFi networks available in your vicinity. Select the WiFi you want to connect to.

Step 3

Most WiFi networks will have a password to secure data. You will get a prompt to enter in password once you click on the WiFi you want to connect. Just enter the password given by the WiFi owner (of the one you setup in step 1)

Your laptop is not connected to Internet via router and Ethernet/ Dial – In connection provided by your ISP. Remember that the data is being carried form the router to your laptop by the radio waves with frequencies between 2.4 GHz and 5Ghz.

You are now free to move about anywhere within the WiFi range. Usually the range of WiFi router is 50 – 70 meters.

A Word about Public WiFi

Free WiFi are available in every cafe, restaurant and airport today. These are public WiFi available to everyone in the premise.

You can connect to these in the same three steps mentioned above. Just ask the café owners/ customer service authorities to give you the password for the WiFi.

Remember that any public WiFi with no password protection is not safe. Hackers can easily intercept the data sent from your laptop/ mobile and hack your accounts or infect your device with malware.

Another strategy used by hackers is to setup a free WiFi with a rogue name that is misleading. So do not connect to any WiFi whose source is not known to you or is not trusted.

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

With almost every house now having a broadband connection, evolution of wifi routers are popular than ever. As you might know, most devices on the market such as smartphones and computers are equipped to use WiFi.

Though Wi-Fi has become an integral part our routine, most of us do not know much about the WiFi technology. Read on to know more about the historical evolution of WiFi Routers.

History of WiFi technology

The history of evolution of wifi routers was fascinating and an earlier form of wifi was in existence since 1971. Apparently, “ALOHA Net” accounted for connecting the Hawaiian Islands with aid from a wireless network asset.

ALOHA Net and ALOHA protocol are the early forerunners to the concept of Ethernet which later transcends to the IEEE 802.11 internet protocols.

In the year 1985, US Federal Communications Commission accounted for the release of ISM bands. These ISM Bands were meant for unlicensed use and can be envisioned as the frequencies originating in the 2.4GHz band.

These are the same bands using in microwave ovens. At the same time, these bands are also subject to interference.

Later in the year 1991, NCR Corporation collaborated with AT&T Corporation which led to the invention of the precursor to the 802.11 module, which was designed to be used in cashier systems.

The first kind of wireless products was available in the market under the label of Wave-LAN, which was eventually accredited with the invention of WiFi technology.

An Australian radio astronomer John O’Sullivan along with his colleague Terence Percival and Graham Daniels played a significant role in the development of an essential patent, which was designated to be used in the Wi-Fi technology as a by-product.

However, this venture was a failure since the modification would smear the signal, leading to eventual breakdown.

In the year 1992 and 1996, CSIRO was successful at obtaining patents that would allow for a method to be used in the WiFi enabling the module to avoid smearing of the signal.

Eventually, in the year 1997, the first version of the 802.11 protocol was successfully released. This version was later updated in the year 1999 to the 802.11b module, which became immensely popular.

The WiFi Brand and Trademark at a glance

In the year 1999, the WiFi Alliance, which was formed as a form of the trade association, supposedly held the WiFi trademark. Many products associated with the WiFi technology were sold under this trademark.

The commercial use of WiFi as a name was featured back in early August of 1999. It was among the first instance that this name made a commercial appearance after being framed by a brand consultation firm “Inter-Brand.”

The company “Inter-Brand” was hired by the WiFi Alliance to frame a constructive name, which would appeal to the public and at the same time be easier than “IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence.”

It has been stated by Phil Belanger (founding member of the WiFi Alliance) that the company invented the name as a “pun.”

It was referring to the word “hifi” but somehow seemed catchier the other way around. The same company was later accredited with the design of the WiFi logo which has been persistent till date.

WiFi, which by some unconfirmed accounts stands for wireless fidelity, has changed the way computers and many other electronic devices work together. With it, anyone can create a wireless network in a home or business easily and at a relatively small cost.

Evolution of WiFi Standards

While 802.11 is known to be the standard specification for a WiFi network, it has been subcategorized under several subtypes, which highlight its quality of security and service. As seen earlier, each subcategory is represented by an alphabet in small case, which follows the designation 802.11.

While the first one provided a data speed of just 2Mbps, there was a need of more practicality for processing data via this network protocol. Here are the subclasses for 802.11 standard that originated with better features.

11b: It carries the signals via a frequency band of 2.4Ghz. With the highest bandwidth of 11MBps, this one is the slowest of all these listed standards. It has also been known for showing high susceptibility when interfered. It does have a longer range compared to 802.11a.

11a: This one has more speed compared to the b Wi-Fi standard, with speeds reaching 54Mbps. It shows less sensitivity to interference from other appliances and wireless devices. But, it has a shorter range compared to b. This weakness of short range made it costly, as it had to be installed with multiple access points to cover maximum distance.

11g: This one emerged as a hybrid standard that contained the top-rated features of a and b. Despite a large bandwidth and good speed, it still faced interference from other appliances.

11n: This standard is presently used around the world, which evolved in terms of wireless antennas and signals. With its Multiple-input/Multiple-output technology (MIMO) it has a capacity of transferring data at speeds of maximum 450Mbps. It even has a better bandwidth (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz) and limited interferences.

Future of WiFi

For the future, two significant WiFi standard developments are on their way for a public release. These developments are referred to as the 802.11ad and the 802.11ax.

The 802.11ac is highly sought after because it holds the capability of accessing the 5GHz band, but it has been outdated. The 802.11ad variant, however, takes internet connectivity to the next level. It is capable of accessing the 60GHz band.

802.11 ad: High Frequency, better speed, but short range

The frequency that has been mentioned above is a significantly high frequency. This feature also means that the range ought to get shorter.

Probably the effective range of the WiFi at the end of all would be limited to just one room. On the contrary, the 802.11 ad variant is capable of providing speeds within the range of 7Gbps.

The speed of 7Gbps is referred to as the uniform speed, which the WiFi is capable of producing without inducing much of a strain on the optical fibers.

In simpler words, the rate being referred to would be the lowest available on this variant. Provided with the right circumstances, the 802.11ad will be capable of reaching higher internet speeds as well.

Commercial Usage

At present, there is not any assurance concerning how the 802.11ad would be used in the market. It is also uncertain whether or not this variant will be available for commercial use.

There are several predictions, which refer to the fact that this enhancement in the technology would possibly replace several hardware constructions of the internet technology.

It would mean that the entire internet infrastructure of the future would be wireless and devoid of any physical associations that we may see as of now.

The other forms of prediction refer to the fact that phones might start making use of the 802.11ad WiFi compatibility to provide mobile internet connectivity with a significant boost. The exact purpose of 802.11ad is still uncertain and remains subject to speculations over the time.

802.11 ax: High Connectivity through MU-MIMO Technology

802.11ax is a variant, which mainly focuses on the advanced features including MU-MIMO and enhanced life sustainability. It also highlights advancements such as Bluetooth 5.0 technology and infrared connectivity.

The dominant feature that is lacking in this variant is the improved speed. However, it was later noted for its top speed of 11Gbps at the CES 2018.

The 802.11ax isn’t capable of the massive speed generated by the 802.11ad, but it is capable of providing much better internet connectivity and speed when compared to the 802.11ac variant.

This WiFi technology has been built to suit smart devices which are being used by the conventional people on a regular basis. It is widely expected that this form of connectivity would ensure natural management on a global scale. This standard is also expected to make its market appearance in 2019.

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

Internet has opened a different world for us. While we as adults have a sense to filter what is available, the younger ones might not be able to do so.

It has become hugely significant to provide them an insight to judge what is safe and knowledgeable for them and what is not. To help you more on the same, here is a list of ways to monitor your child’s internet usage.

1. Check the browser history

One of the most basic ways with the help of which you can track your child’s internet usage is by keeping a check on their browser history. It can help you maintain a note of all the websites they are visiting or have visited.

There is a record of the sites being visited in every browser. In case you use internet explorer, then you can find the option to access history via the ‘Tools’ menu.

On the other hand, if Chrome is your default browser, then you can easily find the opportunity to look at the history by clicking on the wrench button present on the top right corner of it.

From there you can select an account and have a look at it. Alternatively, there is another thing that you can do, such as press Ctrl + H and the history of the browser will show up.

It is easy to scroll through what your child has been seeing and the sites visited are shown in the reverse chronological order.

However, if your child does not like you intruding or enquiring so much, he/she might delete the browser history. Therefore, you will have to look for other ways to monitor their internet usage.

2. Use Wireless Router for monitoring

There are some of the wireless router models, which keep track of the sites that are visited via the home internet connection. You can set up logging by typing the IP address of your wireless router into the address bar of the browser you use.

In case you do not know the IP address of your router, you can get to know it by opening a command window. Then type ipconfig/all. You will find your IP address listed under the heading, ‘default gateway.’

If you are asked to enter a password, but you have never set one, then you can find the default username and password details on the website of the manufacturer or by searching on the package that your wireless router had come in.

Once that you have been able to access your router, you can view the activity that had been happening on your network by clicking on ‘Logs.’ Some of the routers give you the excellent opportunity of blocking some websites. Due to this, your child will not be able to access them.

Along with this, you can set your router to send you an email whenever your child attempts to reach the website you have blocked. When you are done with customizing the settings, you can change the password to your router so that your child cannot have any access to its settings.

3. Use software to keep a check

Installing software in the gadget to monitor your child’s internet usage is one of the effective means. Many parents resort to this option. Not just a few, but many programs can help you with this. You can get a detailed account of the sites visited by your child along with their online interactions with such software.

By far, using software to keep an eye on the internet usage has been the most successful and helpful way. Here are some of the excellent tools available to assist you on the same.

1. SocialShield

SocialSheild seems to be an expert in determining whom your child is talking to on their social media accounts. The accounts are therefore kept on a check by it, and it will immediately inform you if anyone suspicious tries to contact your child or get in touch with him/her.

It is a paid service which can check your child’s friends in various databases. You will be informed about the same in case the person who contacted your child is not as per his/her claim. It also notifies you if an adult is trying to influence or befriend your younger one online.

2. SafetyWeb

Just like SocialShield, even SafetyWeb is software that manages to monitor your child’s activities on social networking websites, such as Twitter and Facebook. SafetyWeb will send you an alert as soon as some explicit content is detected in your child’s messages.

Read Also: 6 Best Modem-Router Combos of 2019

Along with this, it also keeps an eye on your child to know if he is involved in cyberbullying, whether as a perpetrator or as a victim. If unsuitable adults contact your child, then you will be identified at the earliest.

3. McGruff SafeGuard

After McGruffSafeGuard is installed on your child’s computer, it can help you gather information on the sites visited by him/her along with the terms being searched.

It also monitors the conversations. One of the key advantages of it is that it straightforwardly presents information. Parents can easily understand what their children read with the help of this tool as it also translates the commonly used abbreviations by their kids.

4. MobSafety Ranger Browser

It is a good option for you if your main aim is to ensure web safety and limit the internet usage of your child. This app lets you see your child’s browser history along with providing you the option of ‘whitelisting’ which means approving of some website and maybe bookmarking them and ‘blacklisting’ which is to ban certain websites.

The additional advantage is that you can limit the time of your child’s internet usage as you want.

5. DinnerTime App

DinnerTime is a free application which helps you to lock or unlock your child’s Android device from your phone, as and when you want.

It is mainly to help your child focus on his/her homework which is received from school or to sleep on time. One thing, which is to be noted is that the child’s device should necessarily be an Android. Although, parents can access the app on Android or iOS.

This application has three modes, namely, ‘Dinner Time’ mode, ‘Take a break’ mode and ‘Bed Time’ mode. The Dinner Time is helpful in pausing an activity for up to two hours. With the help of the ‘Take a break’ mode, you can restrict the internet usage for 24 hours.

The most ultimate is the ‘Bed Time’ mode which lets you pause an activity for any starting and ending time. Though, it still allows your kid to access the alarm clock. This app offers a detailed report of all the apps and websites being used by your child.

4. Talk to your child on the issue of internet safety

In the modern digital world talking, discussing and debating on the subject of internet safety is needed for all the users, of which the kids are also a part. Talking to your child about the problems that you or they might face is the healthiest thing to do.

Final Thoughts

Growing children need help in shaping their opinions, in distinguishing between what is right and what is wrong and the ways to conduct themselves. Therefore, the emergence of techniques like using parental control software has been useful to an extent in monitoring the digital habits of your child.

Fundamental ways like checking the browser history and using the wireless router for tracking their usage are also helpful to start. However, what ultimately works is your communication with your child and the way you have been able to introduce them to the good and the bad of the digital world.