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Category: Networking Page 5 of 7

How Integrating Social Plugins To Your Portals Is Beneficial

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On August 16, 2013

In Internet marketing, Networking, SEO Marketing

August 17, 2013

The power of social media in the world of web marketing is undisputable, which is why it makes sense to tap this power for your business portal. Incorporating social plugins on your website/ blog is probably the simplest, quickest, and most efficient way to do this. Social media sites allow you to implement a wide range of social plugins into your portal, granting you access to the millions of users who remain logged on to these sites all day long while perusing the internet. The best part is that you do not have to be a coding maestro to integrate these social plugins on your website. All that it takes is some very basic knowledge of coding.

One of the most commonly added plugins are Facebook plugins, which can be attributed to the website being the leading choice of identity among users signing into sites, with a whopping 46% of users opting for their Facebook identity. The “Like” button on Facebook serves as a great plugin for user portals, as it is amongst the most well-recognized symbols of approval in the online world. You can choose to integrate this plugin on a specific URL, or on every page of your site. Along with serving as social proof of your content’s likeability, this plugin also helps you to connect with the entire social circle of every user who clicks on it.

Other effective Facebook plugins include Facepile, comments, recommendations, like box, activity feed, etc. Other social plugins like social toolbar help you to list all the social networks that you are on, such as Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, etc. at the bottom of your portal, encouraging users to follow you on these social networks. You can also opt for additional features such as a complete display of your latest tweets, and easy sharing options. Digg is another plugin that can help you integrate all major social buttons on your site, and customize their display.

If you actively post videos on your website, YouTube plugins are a great option for you. Integrating a plugin like Smart You Tube can help you at YouTube content on your site. You can further explore the world of plugins through your photos on sites like Tumblr, using tools like Tumblr Widget to add your Tumblr photos in a sidebar on your webpage. Those active on Twitter also have a wide range of options when it comes to social plugins, such as Tweetmeme, WordTwit, etc.

Centex Technologies provide Social Media networking and promotional services to clients across the globe. For more information, call at – (855) 375-9654

How To Reduce Network Congestion

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On July 21, 2013

In IT Support, Networking

July 21, 2013

Congestion in a data network has a direct impact upon speed, significantly slowing down the performance of each system in the network. A congested network has a high rate of latency, which is the term used to describe how long the data takes to traverse the network segment. This is especially undesirable in applications that are time-sensitive, where even short lags in the network speed can have a high impact on performance and end-user satisfaction. Here are some tips on how to reduce network congestion:

  • The first step is to analyze the trend followed by network congestion, with the help of network monitoring tools, which shall better help in effective troubleshooting. You need to know when the congestion is at its peak. For instance, this could be at the beginning of the day. It is also important to take note of when the congestion began- was it caused by an increase in the number of employees or other reasons? This data can help to pinpoint the most effective solution to reduce network congestion.
  • Another important consideration is in which segment of the network the major congestion occurs.. You could also consider increasing the bandwidth capacity of the affected segment.
  • If a small cluster of IP addresses is sending a large number of packets, this could be the underlying cause of network congestion. In this case, you might need to replace the malfunctioning network card, or turn off the service in the application that is responsible for generating these packets.
  • It helps to reduce the number of protocols being used in the network, and reduce the use of broadcast protocols. Using proper tuning techniques for the TCP/IP protocol can help to boost performance by up to 5 times.
  • Prioritizing the network traffic that you need can help to increase the performance of the data network. You can do this by enabling the QoS (Quality of Service) feature that is a part of typical small business networking nodes. In case of medium businesses, this can be achieved by reprogramming the network nodes like switches and routers, so that they give higher priority to the desired traffic.

Identifying the right solution for congestion in your network is a long process, that might require a significant amount of hit and trial, before you can choose the right approach to boost your network’s performance.

Centex Technologies provide complete computer networking solutions to businesses. For more information, call us at – (855) 375-9654

Using Unsecured Wi-Fi Hotspots

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On July 15, 2013

In IT Support, Networking, Security

July 15, 2013

Public Wi-Fi hotspots are trendy and popular, for the obvious convenience that they offer. No wonder most restraints, cafes, hotels, and other public places are jumping on the bandwagon and allowing visitors to freely access their Wi-Fi networks without needing a password. Despite how tempting it is to simply go ahead and connect to these networks, you need to be prudent while doing so, as you could unknowingly put your computer at a risk of getting hacked.

The following tips guide you on how to use unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots smartly, while keeping your computer protected:

  • Remember that Wi-Fi hotspots are always unsecured connections, even if they require a password to access them. This means that hackers can easily access your private information if you are not careful.
  • Some operating systems like Mac OS X and Windows have built-in security features that can protect your computer when you are accessing the internet through such a connection. Make use of your “Firewall” by checking the “block all incoming traffic” option. Another effective security measure is to disable fire sharing.
  • One of the most targeted personal information is passwords. Installing a browser add-on like LastPass could be effective in keeping your passwords safe. Normally, a hacker can easily view your passwords by accessing your Registry or viewing your keyboard activity through something like keyloggers. LastPass stores all your passwords in a cloud which means that neither do you have to type your passwords, nor will they be stored in your computer.
  • Websites that encrypt your activity are usually safe to use, since all the information accessed on these sites remains confidential. You can identify such websites either by looking for a padlock in the address bar, or checking the URL for https:// Even if a website does not have HTTPS, you can download an add-on like HTTPS Everywhere, which will convert the connection on most popular websites into an encrypted one.
  • Before accessing any public Wi-Fi network, you want to confirm from the owner of the venue that you have the correct name of the network. This is because hackers can create their own fake network with a similar name to the original, putting your information at a high risk.
  • Finally, even after taking all the above-mentioned measures, you still need to exercise some common sense while using an unsecured Wi-Fi network. Avoid activities that expose your private details, such as banking and online shopping.

Centex Technologies based in Dallas and Killeen TX provide Computer Network Security solutions. Call us at (855) 375-9654 for more information.

How To Eliminate Security Threats For Your Computer

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On May 8, 2013

In IT Support, Networking

May 8 2013

With the increasing number of internet hackers and miscreants, it is every computer user’s responsibility to understand how computer security works, and ensure that they are taking the necessary steps to safeguard their computer from security threats. With just a few simple precautions, you can go a long way in keeping your computer safe from these negative elements. The following tips guide you on how to eliminate security threats for your computer-

  • The internet browser you choose has an impact on the security of your computer, so ensure that you are using a safe and trusted browser. Also remember to adjust your browser settings to avoid pop-ups and other auto downloads on the websites.
  • Be careful about the source that you choose to install antivirus software and other computer protection. Using a shady website for free downloads of these software could do more harm than good, infesting your computer with malicious code.
  • Use one reliable antivirus software with positive user reviews, instead of installing multiple software on your computer. Also be sure not to play around with the settings of the antivirus, unless you are absolutely sure about what you are doing, as you could end up leaving loopholes for threats.
  • It is recommended to delete all your browsing data, including cookies and passwords, after each browsing session. Making this a habit could help to save your sensitive information and protect your accounts from hackers.
  • Do not overlook the need to scan external storage devices for viruses each time you use them on your computer.
  • Be cautious before submitting your credit card details online, as phishing scams are getting alarmingly common.
  • Beware of emails from unknown sources and think twice before responding to these emails, as you could end up being permanently listed on spam lists. Also do not click on links to websites that you are not sure about.
  • Make the most of your antivirus by running weekly scans, and keeping it regularly updated.
  • Keeping a backup of all the important files and data on your computer is a good idea, as this could be of great help in the event of an attack on your PC.
  • You need to be particularly careful and install a firewall in you are using the internet on a shared network. Sometimes the worst hackers could be right next door to you.

Centex Technologies is a Central Texas based networking and IT firm engaged in providing complete networking and IT security solutions. For more information, call us at our Dallas office – (972) 375-9654

Most Common Mistakes Made While Planning A Computer Network For Businesses

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On November 6, 2012

In Networking

November 06, 2012

Planning a computer network for your business is important decision that has to be undertaken with careful consideration. It is important to ensure that the productivity and efficiency of your business gets improved after the installation of such a network. Below are the top mistakes that should be avoided while planning a computer network for business-

  • Choosing the wrong applications- The choice of applications for a business computer network is critical, and must be made taking into account various factors such as the hardware and software being used, and the traffic requirement of your business. Failure to do so might result in a mismatch that will affect the complete functionality.
  • Ignoring scalability- As a business owner, it is important to keep scope for scalability in every investment that you make. The same stands true for a computer network. Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of choosing a rigid network that is suited to the present size of the company, but leaves no scope for future expansion.
  • Poor cost planning- You might plan the perfect computer network for your business, but it is of no use if it over shoots your budget allocated. You can control your network set up costs by looking into detailed features of products/ network devices you plan to purchase. It is quite possible that a multifunctional product proves to be a low cost investment in comparison to individual devices.
  • Absence of plan for security breach- When planning a computer network for your business, no matter how careful you are, there is always a chance of a loophole being left, which might result in a security breach in the network. How this can be avoided, and what needs to be done if it occurs, are all a part of the planning process. Proper training, dedicated staff members, stringent security policies, and a recovery plan can all help in minimizing this risk.
  • Choosing consumer-grade products over business-grade ones– Even though consumer-grade products might seem cheaper and easier to access, but these cause greater trouble in the long run. This is because they are more prone to frauds, lack comprehensive features, and are more difficult to troubleshoot. In addition to this, business-grade networks are better equipped to provide warnings and analytics when needed, helping to prevent a problem before it occurs.

We at Centex Technologies plan and implement computer networks for businesses and organizations. To know more about our services, please contact us at (800) 236-1497

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