You’ve seen the ads pitting Macs against PCs? We say live and let live! Network Magic for Mac Add-on 4.0 lets them both work and play on the same network, share files, music, photos – all the digital assets you enjoy today.

Network Magic for Mac Add-On is a free, downloadable 7-day trial (after that it’s $20 for the full-featured package – we think that’s pretty reasonable for keeping peace in the family). You install the Mac Add-On on each Mac in your home or office that shares an Internet connection.

It’s designated as an add-on because you do need Network Magic for PC first -- but we’re assuming that you wouldn’t be adding Macs to your network unless you already had a PC network, right?

Depending on which Network Magic license you've purchased, you can run this home networking software on between 3 and 8 PCs in your home. Then if you purchase the Network Magic for Mac Add-On, you can install Network Magic on up to eight additional Macs.

One caveat: the Mac Add-On lets you print to the same printer from any computer – as long as your printer is on Apple’s list of supported printers. That includes Windows, XP, Vista and Mac OS Mac OS X v10.4.11 (Tiger) or 10.5.3 (Leopard) or later.*

The only feature not supported by the Add-On at present is the parental controls feature. That is, it does work to control Internet access for anyone on a PC in your home, but not on the Macs. Not yet, anyway.

But stay tuned. After all, Network Magic was the first home networking solution to work across all major operating systems, including Windows XP, Vista and Mac. And we want to keep peace in your family, no matter what computer you use.

To view a list of supported printers, go to
http://docs.info .apple.com/article.html?artnum=301175.

Bear in mind that Apple is always working to improve printer compatibility – both customers and printer manufacturers demand it. As they continue to build in more printer drivers to the Mac OS, we add them to Network Magic automatically.

Credit: ⓒAlienCat – Fotolia.com

Today, Cisco announced an important step forward in improving security for home networks. Home Network Defender is designed to stop Web threats before they reach you, by providing antivirus protection right at the router – the network gateway to your home. Think of it as a first line of defense against Internet threats.

Embedded in your Linksys router, Home Network Defender by Trend Micro protects your network from viruses, spyware, malware, and other computer-generated attacks – and provides extensive parental controls as well that can protect your family from inappropriate web sites and manage times your kids ore online. Like the guard bees at the entrance to a hive, Home Network Defender lets the right ones in, and keeps threats out.

Home Network Defender goes hand-in-hand with Network Magic – the award-winning software solution that helps you set up, see, and manage your home network to make it far easier to use -- and far more fun and productive.

But what, exactly, does each product do for you? And how do they work together to make home networking easier, more secure, and more satisfying? The easiest way to understand it is that Home Network Defender helps you stop web threats before they reach you. While Network Magic helps you set up, see, and manage your home network – and protects you from practices inside the home that could make you vulnerable.

Home Network Defender: secure from the outside in
Home Network Defender protects against the kinds of attacks that one computer launches against another. For example, IP-enabled devices like the Nintendo Wii or Sony Playstation do not have security software, and are vulnerable points in your home network. Home Network Defender helps stop threats right at the router, before they can find their way in.

Network Magic: secure from the inside out
Network Magic protects home networks against human intruders by establishing a secure, encrypted home network that keeps unauthorized users out. It alerts you to vulnerabilities within your network, and allows you to monitor and set Internet access controls on your kids’ computers.

Network Magic is a great place to start, because it simplifies setup, management, and basic wireless security. New users marvel at how refreshingly simple establishing a home network can be, and how easily the network map helps them visualize, access and control all the devices in their home. More advanced users appreciate Network Magic’s powerful, configurable network settings.

Together, Network Magic and Home Network Defender are out to make your home the media-connected hub of your family hive. From the inside out, and the outside in.

Below are the 5 basic steps for building your own network:

1. Purchase and install a router so all of your computers and devices can use one Internet connection and communicate with each other. When you install the router, you'll set up a network name. If you want more flexibility in your network, install a wireless router.

2. Connect all of your computers to the router/network. You can connect the computers with a cable, although it may get crowded around the router. Better yet, set up a wireless connection so you can work from different parts of the home. Most laptops and desktop computers have wireless capability, and if they don't, you can get a wireless adapter (they're easy to install).

3. Connect your printer to any computer that is connected to the router. After you share the printer on the network, all other computers in the network will be able to print from this printer – no more emailing files to the computer connected to the printer. You can have as many printers as you like.

4. On each computer, share the files, music, videos, and anything else you want with the other computers in your network – again, no more emailing back and forth between computers. Simply open the shared folder on any computer connected to the network.

5. Secure your home network so neighbors or hackers can't access it. Wireless routers send signals several hundred feet in all directions, so anyone nearby could log on to your network and potentially access your data and shared files if you don't use some common security precautions. Most routers come with security settings, but it's up to you to use them.

To help with many of these basic steps, check out Cisco Network Magic. It's a simple-to-use application designed for home users - no IT degree required. It helps you connect computers and devices to your router, share printers, files, music, video, and set up basic wireless security. And once your network is set up, Cisco Network Magic also helps you monitor what your kids are doing online. So check it out.

Network History - lets you see when computers or other devices have joined or disconnected from your network for the past seven days. It also shows if an intruder joined your network.

Print Computer Details - have you ever called tech support with a computer or network problem, only to have the support representative ask you a host of questions about your computer, router, or network, and you have no idea where to find the answers? Next time, before you call, use Network Magic's Print Network Settings feature. It creates an easy-to-read report that includes details about every device connected to your network, including IP addresses, operating systems, memory, firmware versions, antivirus software in use, and much more. Then, when the support rep asks a question, you'll be ready!

Set Notifications - lets you tailor when notifications display in Network Magic. For example, do you want to be notified when you've lost your Internet connection? Or when a new computer or device has connected to your network? Or, maybe you'd rather turn these notifications off and not be alerted when an event happens. You can do this using the Notifications tab in the Network Magic Options feature.

Change the Name of a Computer or device - sometimes when a connected device displays on the Network Map, its name is simply "Network Device." Not very informative. Using the Change Friendly Name feature, you can change the name that's displayed on the map to whatever you want so it's easier to identify.

Spend some time looking around Network Magic and see what else you may be overlooking. Or, open the online Network Magic Help and click around in the Contents. Maybe you'll see something you'd like to learn more about.

• The Network Magic Map has a new and improved look with enhanced features. You'll notice the difference the first time you see it. The devices connected to your network are arranged around your router or access point, showing what's connected. And clicking any device shows the available tasks that you can do with that device. For example, clicking a computer allows you to change its name, view details and alerts specifically for that computer, set up Network Reports, control Internet access, and more. Clicking a printer allows you to share (or stop sharing) the printer, view the print queue and printer details. Everything you'd want to do or see about a device can be done from the Network Map.

• Network Magic 5.1 also makes it easy to "Go Wireless." If you have a computer that's connected to your router with a cable, and you'd like to use your computer's wireless capability to connect wirelessly, use the new Go Wireless feature. It helps you connect your computer to the network wirelessly, allowing you to disconnect the cable keeping you in one place. You'll be free to take your computer anywhere in your home and still be connected to your network.

• The Print Network Settings feature gives you an easy way to see and print out details about the devices on your network. These can be very useful when contacting your ISP or other vendors for support issues. Instead of having to go to each computer or device and try to find its details, you can use the Print Network Settings feature to print a report that includes information about every device connected to your network. The report includes names, network status, IP addresses, hardware information, operating system, antivirus, spyware, and firewall information, and more. If you want to print details for a specific device, you can do that too. It's much easier than trying to find the information yourself.

Network Magic 5.1 is available now. If you're a Network Magic 5.0 user, the 5.1 version is a free update. If you are using an older version, for example Network Magic 4.9, you need to purchase the upgrade to Network Magic 5.1.

Control Internet Access - allows you to control the times of day users on your network can access the Internet. You can completely block the Internet from a specific computer, leave Internet access open, or schedule specific times of the day in advance when Internet access is restricted. This is perfect for parents of kids who like to log on late at night.

Desktop Screenshots - When a user is on a computer in your network, you can take a real-time screenshot of that computer's desktop and see exactly what the user is doing this minute. You can take screenshots at any time, or you can schedule them to be taken at specific intervals during the day.

Network Magic Password - allows you to password-protect Network Magic's Monitor and Control features so that other users on your network can't access them. These features include wireless protection settings, network configuration settings, network history information, Network Reports, and more. Remember those children who use your computer? This feature can save lots of time trying to undo accidental network configuration changes done by your 10 year old!

These new features, combined with more robust Network Reports, give you an easy way to control, monitor, and stay informed about what users on your network are doing on their computers. Go beyond simple monitoring – Network Magic 5.0 gives you control over when users can access the Internet and allow you to see what a users are doing "right now" on their computer.

Upgrade to Network Magic 5.0 today and see what's new!

Introducing Speed Meter Pro, the latest offering from Pure Networks to help make your home networking experience easier and more reliable. Speed Meter Pro takes the guesswork out of troubleshooting “Why is it slow?” and helps you quickly identify and resolve issues that may be slowing down wireless, network, and Internet performance.

Speed Meter Pro monitors your entire network (PCs, devices, Internet connection speed) and looks for common issues that can have an impact on how your network and PC are responding. Unlike other computer-specific performance monitoring products, Speed Meter Pro looks across your entire network, helping you to keep all connected devices running at top speed. Best of all, it's easy to use.

Simply install Speed Meter Pro on all of the PCs in your home network and it begins monitoring them, your wired and wireless network connections, and the Internet to identify issues that could be causing slowdowns. It displays easy-to-understand alerts that quickly show you where the problem is and how to fix it. For example, if your computer performance suddenly seems slower, Speed Meter Pro can tell you if other users on your network are doing tasks that are hogging bandwidth, if your wireless signal is weak, if other common household electronics are impacting your wireless signal, or if your computer is low on memory.

There are several reasons why a network could be slow, and Speed Meter Pro can tell you what's happening right now on each computer and your entire network. It also keeps track of past network performance issues and connection speeds so you can see how your network is running over time.

Check out Speed Meter Pro and see how it can help keep your network running at top speed, without spending valuable time troubleshooting by yourself.

Pure Networks recently conducted a survey of home and small business computer users and asked the following question: "Do you consider using the private Wi-Fi Internet connection of a nearby neighbor or business stealing?" Almost 50% responded that they did not think it was stealing to use someone else's wireless connection to the Internet. So, it's a free-for-all out there. Will your neighbor's kid be printing his school report on your connected printer? Probably not, but he could if your wireless network isn't locked down with common security measures.

To help you check your Wi-Fi network's security, Pure Networks is offering a free wireless network security scan tool. It lets you quickly check for wireless network security issues and other computer and Internet security problems. The tool scans your network, lists any wireless security problems it finds, and provides information about how to fix wireless router and computer security problems.

It gives your network a "score card" showing results for your computer, other devices and computers on your network, wireless security settings, and Internet threats. For each category, it shows any issues it finds and offers ways to fix them. It's a quick and easy way to see how your network security measures up, and how to fix any vulnerabilities it may have.

Here's a list of things the free wireless network security scan can detect:

• If there are unknown computers or devices on your network.
• If the default password or network name is used on your router. This is a common security problem and takes only a few minutes to change.
• If your wireless router's firmware is up to date. Running the latest firmware helps keep your router more secure.
• If you're using wireless data encryption to protect the information being sent around your wireless network. This is perhaps one of the most important security features you can use on a wireless network. See the article on the Network Magic website for help with setting up wireless data encryption.
• Whether ports on your router have been changed or opened. Open ports can allow hackers onto your wireless network.
• If your computers are using firewall and anti-virus software.

Try the free wireless network security scan tool and see how secure your wireless network is. It only takes a few minutes to run and can give you valuable information about making your home or small business network safe from intruders.

I used my first computer in college (yes, I'm that old) and thought it was the coolest thing ever. As I passed through different companies and computers got more and more accessible, I became a die-hard computer user and bought one for myself. Years later, when I had children, I vowed they would learn to use the computer at a young age and become proficient users who were not afraid it as my parents and many of my siblings were. So when my kids could barely reach the desk, I bought early reader programs, games where they fit virtual shapes into virtual containers, counting games, and the like.

Now, as young tweens and middle schoolers, they are indeed proficient computer users, and I'm wondering if that was such a wise choice! They want to be on the computer A LOT to window shop, play online games, and email friends. My daughter's math book is on a CD-ROM, so she uses the computer every day to do her homework. And if she misses a day of school, the class notes for that day can be accessed online from her teacher's Web site. All wonderful things, if those were the only things kids do online.

As most parents know, there are scary things on the Internet. Things such as chat groups with predators, unwanted pop ups to inappropriate sites, gambling sites, sites to purchase prescription drugs, the list goes on. And even seemingly harmless places such as many social networking sites hold dangers. Online bullying and hurtful gossip happen every day, often blindsiding children before they know what happened.

So what's a parent to do to keep their child safe? We want to trust our kids and let them make their own decisions, but kids may not be aware that who they're talking with on the Internet may not actually be a "13 year old boy from Oregon who likes skateboarding and the Jonas Brothers." It may be someone else. And really, as parents, who has time to stand by their child every time they're on the computer and monitor what's happening. (For sure your child won't like it!) Even if we could, sites come and go every day, so chances are, there's a new site your child is hearing about at school this very moment. How can you monitor what you don't know?

The Network Reports feature in Network Magic can help. It monitors computers in your home and emails you a report each day showing the Internet sites visited. The report can be sent to any email address, so you can get the reports even if you're not at home. This helps in two ways: it shows you what sites your child is visiting, and educates you to the new sites your child visits as they appear. This takes care of the "how do you monitor what you don't know exists" problem. If your child is visiting a new site you've never heard of, this provides a way to know.

The Network Reports also show the time of day the computer was in use. So if you set specific times for your child to use the computer for surfing and IM'ing with friends, you can monitor that it's being adhered to. The real benefit of using Network Reports to me is it lets my children have some freedom when using the computer. They know that I'm "watching" them via Network Reports. So they take responsibility to follow our online surfing rules, and I don't have to stand behind them as they use the computer.

Here are some more tips for Internet safety from KidsHealth:

• Become computer literate and learn how to block objectionable material.
• Keep the computer in a common area, not in individual bedrooms, where you can watch and monitor your child.
• Share an email account with your child so you can monitor messages.
• Bookmark your child's favorite sites for easy access. One minor typing mistake can take them from "Legos" to "Legs," with drastically different results.
• Spend time online together to teach your child appropriate online behavior.
• Forbid your child from entering private chat rooms; block them with safety features provided by your Internet service provider or with special filtering software. Be aware that posting messages to chat rooms reveals your child's email address to others.
• Monitor your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.
• Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or any place where he or she could use a computer without your supervision.
• Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange.
• Forward copies of obscene or threatening messages you or your child receives to your Internet service provider.
• Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678 if you are aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography online. Contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI if your child has received child pornography via the Internet.

Or how about had a friend visit and tried for hours to get their laptop on your network?

Ever bought a new router and spent all day trying to get your computers connected to it?

We understand your pain.

That's why we launched today our "Networking Nightmares" contest. Submit your most frustrating home or small office networking story to us by Oct. 28th for a chance to win a $500 Best Buy gift card.

Visit http://www.networkmagic.com/nightmares to enter.

This is just one big example of a shift in how people are using computers in their homes and offices these days.

We'd like to learn more about how people are using their computers, so we've created a quick 5-minute survey. After gathering the responses, we'll be analyzing them and then posting summary results back here.

So if you could spare 5 minutes, we would really appreciate your feedback.

>>> Click Here to Take Survey

Thank you in advance!

Wouldn't it be great to have an onsite computer geek to just "make it all work" so you can concentrate on your customers? Then install Network Magic on all of your computers and see how it can help keep your home office running smoothly:

• Set up printer and file sharing from any computer in your home. You can print from any computer, and move files from one computer to another without having to e-mail them back and forth.
• Get a notification if you lose your Internet connection, and troubleshoot and fix the problem.
• Keep your software investment up to date by alerting you when important software updates are available.
• Secure your home network with wireless security settings.
• Track any intruder that attempts to log on to your home network.

Let Network Magic help keep your home network up and running, so you can focus on your business.

The easiest way to secure your home network is to set some basic security features on your router. I know when I did this on my home network, I was a little nervous since I often work from home and I didn't want to mess anything up. But I took the plunge and logged in to my router and set up WPA security (it wasn't hard to do). Now I know a hacker will have to work a lot harder to access my network, and will probably keep driving down the road looking for the person who didn't take the time to lock down their home network.

For an overview of how to set basic security features on your home network, see the article on the Network Magic website.

To set up a home network (not a scary thing, remember), you need to purchase a router - a small device that connects between your modem and your desktop computer. (The modem is the device you got from your DSL or cable provider that connects to a telephone jack or cable TV wall outlet.) The router allows more than one computer to use your Internet connection at the same time. It also lets all of the computers in your home "see" each other and know they exist.

When you have your router in place, fire up the laptop. Most laptops today have wireless capability built in. (If you purchase a laptop that doesn't, you can get a wireless USB adapter that plugs in to your laptop and gives it wireless capability.) And if you install Network Magic on your laptop and desktop computers, it detects your router automatically and helps you connect to the Internet. Network Magic also sets up printer sharing and walks you through file sharing. It's really easy. And if you add more computers (because it's so easy), just install Network Magic on them and they're automatically joined to your home network.

So give it a try, and soon you'll be the proud owner of a home network and can tell your friends that it's not a scary thing. Better yet, send them an email from your deck!

Up next, why it's important to set up your router for a secure home network.

You know how to email back and forth with your friends and family. You've gotten used to checking your bank balances online, transferring money now and then. And you know how to shop and order things from your favorite sites - that part is easy!

But summer's coming and maybe you'd like to be able to check that bank balance or send emails from your deck, or in a room away from the kids and the TV. And speaking of the kids, maybe you just want your own computer without having to worry about what the kids are downloading that could wipe away your family photos without warning. Then it’s time to get a laptop and get it connected to the Internet wirelessly. Once you do that, guess what? You’re the proud owner of a home network and you can surf the net anywhere you want! You won't be tied to that computer in the corner.

Up next, how to set up a home network (it's easy - I promise!)