| As business progresses in today's world, so does | | | | for your customers, but will also remove |
| the need for constant access to information, | | | | temptations from employees and vendors who |
| clients, and vendors. It is therefore of paramount | | | | want to browse time-wasting sites. |
| importance to modern small businesses to have | | | | 3. As mentioned earlier, it also important to keep |
| their own wireless internet in office, both for their | | | | your internet software and virus protection |
| own use, and the use of their customers. It is | | | | constantly updated as this will eliminate pop-ups |
| unacceptable to have a vendor have to connect | | | | and offensive ads. A virus can cripple your entire |
| to an Ethernet cable or have a customer not be | | | | internet networking system, allowing valuable files |
| able to browse the web while waiting for service. | | | | and secrets to be leaked to a hacker. It is |
| But before you run headlong into providing this | | | | therefore imperative to keep up with the very |
| great service for yourself, customers and | | | | latest protection software. Your wi-fi provider will |
| vendors, there are a few very important | | | | probably provide a basic protection against viruses |
| questions to answer and things to keep in mind. | | | | and hacking, but additional protection should also |
| The following guidelines are a good starting point | | | | be considered, depending on the confidentiality of |
| to help guide you into a safe, secure and | | | | files your computer may contain. |
| effective wireless network for your small | | | | 4. Additionally, it is important to make sure that, |
| business. | | | | should the need arise, your vendors can connect |
| 1. One of the first things to do is find a service | | | | to a wired network. Many laptops are still not |
| provider that is both dependable and safe. As an | | | | equipped with wireless technology, and it is |
| article in states, you don't want your customers | | | | imperative that your wi-fi connection is flexible |
| to be hacked or receive a virus while surfing the | | | | and can be tapped into using a wired router. You |
| web, any more than you want a slow, dial-up | | | | don't want to be handicapped by your |
| speed connection. There are many service | | | | technological strides. They should be a help, not a |
| providers, from AT&T to Verizon, who offer | | | | hindrance. |
| safe, affordable wireless internet, or wi-fi, to small | | | | 5. Finally, as your business grows, so will the need |
| businesses. These connections differ based on the | | | | for a more advanced wi-fi system. According to |
| region of your business and should be researched | | | | Microsoft, an outside technology firm should be |
| before settling on just one. Also, your cable | | | | consulted if creating a network for more than six |
| provider can give you wi-fi through the use of a | | | | employees. As the number of computers that will |
| wireless router, most of which are relatively | | | | be connecting to the network rises, so does the |
| inexpensive to rent or own. | | | | need for additional bandwidth and a stronger |
| 2. Another thing to keep in mind is which sites | | | | connection to the actual network. A larger |
| you want blocked and which are approved. You | | | | business means more people demanding internet |
| don't want your customers or employees | | | | access, and a weak network will mean slow, |
| perusing sites which you do not find acceptable to | | | | weak connections for your customers and |
| the business place. This can be achieved by you | | | | employees. It is therefore important to check up |
| as the administrator by encrypting certain | | | | on the status and strength of your network from |
| websites and not allowing a connection to other | | | | time to time in order to ensure a continuance of |
| outside networks that you have not approved, | | | | good performance. |
| according to This will ensure not only a safe place | | | | |