Different Ways to Set Up Parental Control on Portable Devices

 A majority of internet users are aware of the fact that controlling network access and security has become more important than ever.

Not just in terms of securing the network against attackers and hackers. But for parents to put a limitation on children to access appropriate sites is also relevant.

As you know, everyone calls for the best WiFi router for home to get seamless connectivity across a wide range of area. Especially to connect a portable set of devices. But only a few care about setting up parental control most accessible gadgets.

In this regard, we have come up with a small guide to set up effective parental control features on portably hangout devices like smartphones and laptops.

Referring to the laptops be it like of any operating system like Windows or iOS, Mesh works for all. The simplest way to set up content filtration and website blocking feature are to first go to the start menu on the search tab. After that click on the control panel and click on the option of parental control. Once clicked on the same, you will get an option to add an account, so create a separate account of children with necessity restrictions.

Now coming to smartphones, especially of iOS OS, you need to open the settings, general, and then restrictions. Over there, you need to create restrictions on passcode to stop any unauthorized changes. Once you select the same, then you can select the apps that need to be restricted for children usage along with possible content to restrict the same. It might include internet service, TV shows, etc.

Next, we come down to the most acquired Android smartphones. You can click on the settings, users, and then set up necessary restrictions. Through Google Play also you can tap on the Family Link App and select your child’s account. Follow the steps of settings, manage settings, controls on Google Play, and change settings accordingly.

Conclusion

Do invest in the best WiFi router for long range, connect with portable devices, and easily set up parental controls to limit the screen time of children at home.

Gryphon Parental Controls (Salmon)

 

Hiding Your Router Isn’t the Best of Idea: Here’s Why

 The router is a networking device that connects a local network to the Internet. In other words, a router is the device that keeps your laptops, smartphones and computers connected to the Internet. But, this small and very important device is often a eyesore and we do not like it anywhere in our living area or other spaces in the house. Though the routers nowadays have improved a lot in terms of looks, they might still not be that beautiful looking piece of art enhancing the interiors of your living room. But, does that mean you should hide this router in a cabinet or in the chest of drawers?

In short, this could be a bad idea. We have got reasons to convince you for the same.

Your router has vents on the sides to let hot air go out and cold air to come in. It is because of the vents that the router doesn’t overheat. By keeping your router in a drawer or hidden in the cupboard, you might actually be preventing the hot air from going out. This may lead to overheating of the router.

If you are still not convinced, we have got one more valid point to focus on router safety and bring this device out in the open. Locking up the router could slow down the Internet connection. If you keep the router in a box, the signals will get weak due to the obstructions and you will experience poor Internet connectivity.

Is there a way out?
One shouldn’t get away with the Internet router by hiding it in the closet. You can always set it on a bookshelf, a wall rack, or may be behind a picture frame. There are fancy wifi router storage boxes available that are especially designed for keeping the routers without depreciating their performance. Check out for such devices so that you don’t have to compromise with the interiors as well as the network connectivity. The last thing to ensure is that the router should have a minimum of 10 inches of clearance on all the sides for a good air flow.

Follow 7 Easy Steps to Setup Mesh Wi-Fi at Home

As you already know Mesh Wi-fi is an incredible option for internet users to get an unrestricted connection at all points. Whether at home or in the office, you will get the undisturbed flow of the internet network from different directions.
 
If you are thinking of availing Mesh Wi-fi for your household surroundings, then you also need to know its set up process.

Need not worry, here we bring you 7 easy steps that help you set up the Mesh network in a hassle-free manner.

So, let’s get started

#Step 1: Once you avail of the most secure Mesh Wi-Fi device, then install its application on the smartphone or tablet.

#Step 2: Next is to unplug your existing router and connect the main node using the Ethernet cable. Once done, then reconnect the router and let the main node power comes up.

#Step 3: Log into your Mesh network account or create one for further proceedings.

#Step 4: Next step is to scan the QR code on the bottom of the main node, or else you can enter the serial number to link your network account and the main node.

#Step 5: Just enter the name, location for the main nodes along with a number of satellite nodes.

#Step 6: Plug in each node one at a time and then give a particular room to each node.

#Step 7: Now, you can go to each room or area of the house to check your internet connectivity and find it running well as compared to the previous one.

Conclusion
Installing the most secure home router Wi-Fi Mesh has become a necessity to find seamless network connectivity in all surroundings. No matter where you are in the house, Mesh brings a wide range of connection without getting restricted to walls, bricks, or distance. Think smartly to invest in the best Mesh router and set up the same using simple to follow steps. So, what are you waiting for? Just do it right away with no further delay.

Gryphon® Online Safety System

 

How to Ensure Data Safety and Security?

Considering the current scenario of data breach, it is essential to keep a close tab on your online security and safety. The increasing number of cyber threats and the recent data breach by some of the renowned organizations have made a lot of users worried about protecting their online data. For a layman, keeping their online data safe has become a tough task. 

Thankfully, there are certain rules that you need to follow to keep your data safe. In addition, you can also use the best Wi-Fi router to enhance your safety. For instance, if you have kids at home, you can use best Wi-Fi parental controls to stay safe. Read on to find out how to keep your data safe.

Avoid Enabling Unnecessary Services
A lot of people like to keep their Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or GPS connected all the time for a number of reasons. However, if you do so you need to stay alert against data breach.  When these are enabled all the time, hackers find it easy to connect to your device and cause trouble. 

In addition, these devices may also make it easy to steal your valuable data easily from your device. Considering this, it is advisable to disable these devices from immediately after the work is done.

Use a Router with Parental Control
The recent scenario has made Internet necessary for kids continue with their classes. In addition, kids are also interested in playing online games that makes you vulnerable to cyber threat. It is not always possible to keep an eye on what your kid is doing online. So, in this scenario, you need to install the best Wi-Fi router with parental controls. This unique feature will help you keep your online data safe and secure.

Always Backup your data
Make sure that you backup your data as much as possible. This is a preventive action that will also help you recover data in case you delete something accidentally or there is a malware attack. Depending on your preference, you can backup your data on external drives or also on cloud servers to stay protected. However, make sure you keep the data safe with encryption services and creating a strong password.

Remove the Apps that are not in Use
There may a lot of apps that you don’t use. Unnecessary apps not only take up a lot of space but also cause security threat. In such a case, make sure you uninstall the unnecessary apps and programmes. . Use your control panel to do a quick scan of the uninstalled apps. 

For instance, a shopping app with location access can help hackers access your location information anytime. As a result, the best practice is to uninstall the apps that you no longer use, especially the ones that are not crucial for the smooth functioning of your device.

Conclusion
These are a few basic and effective tips to keep your data private online. Apart from following the points mentioned above, another safe tip is to keep use the best Wi-Fi router with parental controls to keep your data safe. Gryphon provides routers that enable you implement parental controls to ensure that your data remains safe online

Manage your Child's Screen Time without the Struggle! · GryphonConnect.com

 

Captive Portal: Definition and Benefits

 A captive portal is something most of might have used, but unknowingly. Whenever you connect to wifi network in hotel, coffee shops or airports, you come across a customised login page, wherein, credentials need to be entered. This is called a captive portal. Ideal for any business, a captive portal is a recommended solution for better market and more security. Let’s look into the benefits of this portal.

Why have a captive portal?
A captive portal presents service terms that a user must agree to for accessing the business wifi hotspot. This way, your business is free from any legal liability.

A captive portal also gives you more control over the bandwidth, router protection and lets you customise the time for which the user can stay connected to the network and access it.

From commercial per se, it gives a business an excellent marketing opportunity. With the help of a captive portal, the business can ask users to fill out a survey before they can access the Internet and even display sponsored advertisements.

How to set up a captive portal?
The set up process depends on the network setup of the business. For starters, make sure your firmware is updated. Here are the steps to follow:

•Access the web-based setup on the access point of your network
•Look for captive portal option under the access point set up menu
•Customize the settings of the portal and choose the name and password of the portal
•You will be redirected to an exited webpage. If it’s not there, create a custom page

To create custom page:
•Look for ‘web customization’, ’splash screen’ and similar options. You can choose the background, logo, color, user name and passwords in this section.
•Link the profile to a wireless radio band and SSID.

What’s next?
Once you are done with creating a captive portal for your wifi parental control router network, use laptop, phone or other wifi enabled device to connect to the hotspot and check the captive portal. If you are able to login successfully, the process is done and you can now share the custom page with your guests.

For All Baby Boomers - How to Browse the Internet Securely?

 Internet is a big revolution that changed everything from the way we communicate to how we work, entertain and live our life. While millennials and GenX has adapted itself to the change nicely and quickly, baby boomers are still not confident when it comes to technology. They are trying to get accustomed to WhatsApp, Facebook and other social networking channels, but security is still a concern. How do the generation of Baby Boomers who were born before nobody heard about the word Internet make sure that they are browsing in a safe and secure environment?

Let’s look at a few ways to make Internet a safer place for this generation.

1. Beware of email scams
Your inbox is probably flooded with email from unknown people. While someone is giving you hundreds and thousands pounds of money, others might be giving you a free vacation; too good to be true. A lot of email scams happen these days and you need to be beware of the trick that spammers use to get important information from your PC, laptop or phone.

To stay safe, don’t click on any link or attachment given in the email - if you do not know who the sender is. Also, if you think the email received from the bank is fishy and the email id doesn’t appear to be official, do not open it.

2. Have a strong password
Whether it is net banking app or your social media handle, keep a strong password for everything. The other important thing is that every important app that you have installed in the phone should be password protected. Do not keep your or spouse name with birth dates as passwords because these can be easily guessed. Always have a long password with a combination of upper case, digits and special characters.

3. Get an advanced wifi router
We might look at router as a device that keeps our devices connected to the Internet, but it’s much more than that. If you have the most secure router installed, it will be difficult for anyone to hack your network and steal the data. So, make sure you invest in a good router.

You can look for the best router for child safety, as these comes with some really good security features.

Hope these 3 tips will help baby boomers browse Internet with more peace of mind.

Ultimate Hack Protected Parental Control Mesh WiFi Router - All in One Solution - GryphonConnect.com

 

The Guide to Choosing Wi-Fi Channel for your Network

 

The wi-fi router in your house communicates over a wireless channel that has a designated number.  Although, wi-fi connection works fine on any channel, there are times when you might need to change the channel because of radio interference, congestion, slow speed and other reasons. This makes it important for homeowners to understand the difference between wi-fi channels. Let’s get started

2.5GHz Band

The 2.4 GHz band has 11 channels wherein 1 channel operates at a centre frequency and 11 channels operate at a higher frequency. The channel 1 operates at a frequency of 2.412 GHz and channel 11 operates at a frequency of 2.462 GHz. The other channels are separated at an interval of 2.412 GHz.

5GHz Band

The 5GHz band has more channels than 2.5 GHz with 36, 40, 44 and 48 being the most popular ones. Each of these channels is separated by 5MHz. This is technically an advanced channel that restricts the available channels to specific numbers just to avoid the chances of overlapping frequencies.

The channel 36 of 5GHz band operates at 5.180 GHz, 40 operates at 5.2 GHz. 165 is the highest frequency channel that operates on a frequency of 5.825 GHz.

The need to change the wi-fi channel number

The routers and parental control device that we use mostly run on 2.4 GHz. If the neighbouring wi-fi network is also running on the same channel, it could cause radio interference. Even the microwaves, bluetooth and other devices in our homes work on 2.5GHz frequency. This can slowdown the performance of the network. Changing the channel can improve the network performance.

Changing the channel

All the best parental control device routers or even the traditional ones have administrator settings. You need to login as admin and look for a drop-down list of the supported channel numbers. Choose a channel that you wish the network to work on, and viola you are done.

The advanced routers come with 5GHz band, giving homeowners the choice to change the settings and ensure they get uninterrupted Internet connectivity.

Service Set Identifier (SSID) Explained

 

Wi-fi is no longer a technology limited to offices. We have public wi-fi hotspots and wifi connections at home. This brings us to the abbreviation SSID - Service Set Identifier. SSID is the name associated with 802.11 WLAN and is the name for your wi-fi network.

SSID can be up to 32 characters long case-sensitive text string that consists of letters and numbers. When you connect to a wireless network, all the names that appear are the SSIDs for those networks. Every router manufacturer has a different default SSID for their unit, but these SSIDs can be changed. If we talk about home network, an administrator has the right to change it.

How your device uses SSIDs?

When you connect a phone or laptop to the network, it scans the local area for the networks and presents a list of the names. You can initiate the new connection by choosing a name from the network list.

Other than getting the network name, the wi-fi scan will also allow you to determine if every network has the wireless security options checked in. A secured network will have a lock symbol next to the SSID.

Although if a user rejoins the network, the wireless device identifies it along with the connection preferences. The device will ask the user if they want to reconnect automatically to the network in future. This set up can be done manually also without accessing the network.

The best router for controlling Internet access come with option to disable SSID, in order to provide a more secure network. In this scenario, the user will have to enter two passwords - SSID and network password. To connect to a network that has SSID broadcast disabled, the user will have to create a profile manually.

Some things to take care of:

• If you have bought a new router, using a default SSID could increase the chances of duplicacy, in case somebody else in the nearby area is also using the router of the same make. This means, your network might not be protected and you could possibly connect to the wrong network.

• When choosing SSID, try to have names with generic information. Displaying your name or having names such as Impossible to Hack could actually provoke people to hack your network.

At last, even if you have the best parental control device for wi-fi, make sure you change the SSID for improved security.

Your home security system is vulnerable to attack · GryphonConnect.com

 

How to Secure Your Businesses’ Wi-Fi Network - Part 1

The convenience offered by Wi-Fi has made it an indispensable element in a business. Though, almost every organization has Wi-Fi connectivity, most businesses do not pay attention to secure their network. This makes the network vulnerable to cyber attacks and data theft. Let’s look at some of the router safety tips for businesses to safeguard their Wi-Fi network.

Change router login credentials
The first security measure you should take is to change the default login credentials of the router after setting up the wi-fi connection. Many manufacturers have the same default login for every router, and these credentials are easily available on the Internet. Therefore, it is important to change the default login credentials after setting up the connection. The password should be a mix of upper and lower case and special characters.

Update firmware and software
Never take firmware updates for router lightly. You might not know that these fixes are introduced to secure the device from documented vulnerabilities. Not updating the router could be an invitation to potential virus threats and malware attacks.

Keep routers at a secure location
Your router literally takes care of all the work that’s happening in the office. If somebody turns it off by chance or presses the reset button, it could mean an unwanted inconvenience. Always keep the router in a secured place that has restricted office. Keeping 24/7 video surveillance on might look too much, but it is good from safety perspective.

Set private and public access
You cannot let the guests and employees be on the same network, as this could be absolutely chaotic. Use a Service Set Identifier (SSID) to make public and private networks. This will provide an extra layer of protection to your network.

Last Words
Securing your office wi-fi network should be on the top of your IT Priority list. Failing to do so could have consequences that can affect finances, employee productivity, and growth chart. Also,  make sure that you install the most secure router because a lot of things depend on how advanced the device is and how efficiently it can work on connectivity and security front

How to Secure Your Businesses’ Wi-Fi Network - Part 2 :- https://sites.google.com/site/gryphononlinesafety/how-to-secure-your-businesses-wi-fi-network---part-2

Secure your home from intruders, digital attacks, and hackers · GryphonConnect.com

 

Installing a New Router? Make Sure to Tweak These Settings

There’s no life without the Internet and no home without Wi-Fi. It has become an integral part of our lives. We never imagined ourselves giving so much importance to the router, a device that transmits wi-fi signals in our home and keep us connected. And when you have a new router for installation, we recommend taking a step-by-step approach. Let’s look at a few router settings that need change at your end.

Network name and password
Every router comes with a default network name and password, but do not stick to it. Since every manufacturer has their own defined rules for setting password and user name, it gets easier for hackers to get entry into your network. As soon as you get the router, login to your account, change the network name and set a password. Try keeping password a little long and a mix of numbers, special character and uppercase.

Network bands
Modern-day routers come with two frequencies - 2.5GHz and 5GHz. Although both the frequency bands are on by default, you must check the status for confirmation. Also, you should know that 2.5GHz is the frequency in which your Bluetooth, microwave and other electronic appliances also work, making it more crowded. 5GHz is less congested and fast. However, it has a shorter range than 2.4 GHz. If both the modes aren’t on, turn them on so that the router can select which device to keep on which frequency.

Parental Controls
Most router with app control have restricted access, wi-fi pause and other features. If you have kids at home, it makes to activate router kid control features during the initial setup. This way, kids will have the habit of limited access to the Internet and other restrictions as well.

Guest Network
Setting up a guest network is not a bad idea, especially with so many security concerns arising over the Internet. Keep all the devices that you use on private mode and have a separate network for the guests. This way, you will never hesitate in sharing the wifi credentials and your network speed will also not hamper.

When you move to a new home or have Internet connection installed at your place, make sure you spend some time in changing the settings during initial setup and enjoy uninterrupted and safe access.

Understanding the Difference Between Fibre-optic and Coaxial Cables

If you have an Internet connection at home, there must be a line of fibre-optic or coaxial cable coming straight from your Internet Service Provider. Both the types of cables are different in nature and you must know their pros and cons, as this directly impacts the speed of Internet connectivity.

What is Fiber-optic cable?
A fiber-optic cable has small, flexible strands of plastic or glass. It uses light for data transmission, thus have more bandwidth than coaxial cables. The bandwidth with fiber-optic cable is high because the connection isn’t shared with another in the same area. This means, even if there’s congestion, the fiber Internet should work fine and transmit high-speed data to your house.

A fibre-optic cable can offer speed of up to 1 Gbps, however, it depends on the Internet Service Provider and equipment they are using. To make the most out of this blazing speed, make sure you have an advanced wi-fi router at home. If you have a mesh wifi router installed as well, it should again be able to support the speed.

What is Coaxial cable?
A coaxial cable transmits data through electricity. It is made of copper and this technology is most ISPs using after DSL and dial-up technologies went out of fashion. Though cable Internet is prevalent in many parts, it has no comparison with fibre-optic Internet transmission.

Data speed is slow in coaxial cables, but some ISPs are able to delivery speed up to 1Gbps (which is rare). Another reason for slow data speed could be that a coaxial cable connection might be shared in your area. When multiple customers are on the same line, this will reduce the speed.

Last Words
We can see that coaxial cable Internet is not as fast as fibre-optic cable. The former, however, is more economical. As the need for speed increases, there will be a steep decrease in coaxial cable connections. If you are planning to get an Internet connection at your home, make sure it is fibre-optic cable.

Protect your family from inappropriate web content · GryphonConnect.com

 

The Importance of Parental Control Feature in WIFI Routers

 Letting your children access smartphones and computers from a young age is your care towards their early digital learning progress. It can help indicate what are their interests, strengths and weaknesses. But doing so, you are also handing them the portal wherein they can become the victim to cyber threats.

To avoid such threatful situations, below are some tactics meant for parents to smoothly navigate the online world for children.

1.  Data Safety and Storage
Sometimes the usage of the internet by our kids surpasses our own. Other than exploring the wonders of the web, children use a lot of time doing school homework and other online projects.

They need to learn the concept of saving digital data for future use. There can be technical fault or damage to internet devices where all data like photos or files could be permanently lost.

For avoiding any emergency regarding data recovery, you can select from the best parental control router. It will automatically scan for websites and data backup apps online for malware or any virus issues.

2. Cybersafety as a Habitual Process
Children nowadays are much better at handling web related information. They can easily search and indulge in studies, social chatting, gaming and anything that makes them happy. If you want to letyour children learn things at their own pace, teach them the importance of online safety.

Make them know the common and natural concept of vulnerability of too much data disclosing like school, name or birth date. Let them realize the benefits of comprehensive parental controls, and ask them to take similar precautions themselves when being online. This will prevent cybercriminals from taking advantage of their simple minds.

3. Online Discipline
Going for the best parental control router available online has a huge advantage that can change the way of the online environment. If each of us adapts to the parental control routers, a clean and safe internet space can be achieved.

Many schools and colleges search for capable students through the web, like social media post pages. If you want to give your child a bright future,tracking and correcting their wrong steps will place your children on the right path. Besides, it will also improve its online etiquette.   

Conclusion
By going for comprehensive parental controls in WIFI routers, we can keep in check the privacy and security of your loved ones. All these internet measures will build an online reputation for your children, and develop a positive mindset to build ethics.

Your Guide to Buying a Wi-Fi Router

 Most homeowners opt for the free router that there Internet Service Provider offers along with the wi-fi connection. And why not? It’s convenient and not at all heavy on the pocket. Though everything looks good at the start, the problem arises after a couple of months or maybe year when you struggle to get good signal strength. Whether you are already in this situation or want to avoid this situation, this blog post will guide you more on how to buy a secure wireless router.

Wi-Fi Standard
Check the wi-fi standard supported by the router. Almost all new routers support the b, g and n standards. A router with n standard lets you transfer data at a speed of 600Mbps. The latest standard in Wi-Fi is 802.11ac that allows a transfer speed of 1.3Gbps. These routers come with better multi-antenna and MIMO support enabling high data transfer speed and multiple streamings from a single connection.

Wireless Frequency
There are two main frequency standards 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The main advantage with 2.5GHz is that it has only 4 free channels and all the devices be it your microwave, baby monitor, Bluetooth - they all work on a frequency of 2.4GHz. On the other hand, 5GHz frequency has up to 23 free channels, which means less congestion and better speed.

Antenna Range
Although there’s no definite way to measure the range of a router, the environment it is in does play a critical role. The architecture of the house, number of walls and location where the router is placed are some of the factors that can affect the range. When buying a router, you can consider dBi ratings of the antenna. If you live in a small or medium-sized house, anything between 2-4dBi is sufficient. If there are more rooms or walls in the house, look for a router with more than 4dBi.

Final Words
If you have a new wi-fi router that supports n standard, but wi-fi signal strength is still low, we recommend looking out for best wi fi mesh network systems instead of replacing the router. These mesh systems have multiple nodes that connect with each other and provide good signal strength even in the remote corners of the house.