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News
5 Tips for Securing Your Personal ComputerOctober is National Cybersecurity Awareness month. Below are tips to help you stay safe online:
1. Keep your firewall turned on: Firewalls provide protection against outside attackers by shielding your computer or network from malicious or unnecessary Internet traffic.
2. Always use good passwords for your PC: • Don't use passwords that are based on personal information that can be easily accessed or guessed • Don't use words that can be found in any dictionary of any language • Develop a mnemonic for remembering complex passwords • Use a combination of lowercase and capital letters, numbers, and special characters • Use passphrases when you can • Use different passwords on different systems • Use at least 8 characters • Change your password periodically
3. Keep all your software and your operating system up-to-date: Many vulnerabilities on a computer can be avoided with a few simple updates. Updating your software also helps with bug fixes in the software and addition of new features from the software developer.
4. Install Anti-Virus Software: Anti-virus software can identify and block many viruses before they can infect your computer. Once you install anti-virus software, it is important to keep it updated. While antivirus software, regardless of which package you choose, increases your level of protection, nothing can guarantee the security of your computer. Antivirus software is limited in its ability to protect your computer because it can only detect viruses that have signatures installed on your computer
5. Secure your wireless network at home: Wireless networks have gotten easy enough to set up that many users simply plug them in and start using the network without giving much thought to security. Nevertheless, taking a few extra minutes to configure the security features of your wireless router or access point is time well spent.
Other Useful Sites and Information Sources
Google Network to Launch in KansasBy Sarah Graham, Communications Specialist, Connected Nation
Today, Google announced that it would deploy its first ultra-high speed fiber network in Kansas City, Kansas, after receiving applications from 1,100 cities around the country. Kansas City residents will have access to the 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) service beginning in 2012, according to news reports. In addition, Google will be providing free access to schools and other city facilities as the network is launched.
This will provide an impressive boost for Kansas community anchor institutions, as only 28% of these institutions that reported their broadband connection to Connect Kansas in 2010 reported using fiber.
For Connected Nation and its Connect Kansas program, this new fiber network is welcomed and exciting news. Already, Connect Kansas, along with other Connected Nation states, has researched and documented speed and platform data in Kansas as part of its comprehensive broadband mapping and planning program.
“At Connected Nation and Connect Kansas, we are excited to see this level of private investment going toward the infrastructure of the future,” said Brian Mefford, CEO of Connected Nation. “For Kansas City residents, businesses and schools, the ability to connect to an ultra-high speed network is an economic game changer in many respects. We look forward to measuring the impact and to helping everyone achieve more with this new community asset.”
The Google network promises to deliver ultra-high broadband speeds of 1 Gbps at competitive prices. According to Connect Kansas data, only 3 percent of Kansas households have access to broadband networks with download speeds of 100 Mbps, one-tenth of the speed of the Google network. According to Connect Kansas’ 2010 Residential Technology Assessment, the average download speed reported by broadband-connected Kansas households is 5.7 Mbps, which equals about 0.006 Gbps. In fact, about 56,000 Kansas households report that they do not subscribe to broadband because it is not available at any speed, and 147,000 report that price is a barrier.
Google’s announcement of high-speed fiber (and its 1 Gbps speed) will not only change how fast Kansas residents can use the Internet, but also what kind of technology they use to do it.
According to 2010 data, approximately 4 percent of Kansas residents have access to a fiber connection, and fiber accounts for approximately one in twenty home broadband subscriptions. By comparison, 87.3 percent of households have access to digital subscriber line (DSL) and 77.3 percent have access to cable broadband.
 These numbers from Connect Kansas certainly show an interesting starting picture of broadband speed and the platforms available in Kansas. Google’s commitment to Kansas City will certainly change the picture dramatically and we are excited to watch and document these changes.
To learn more about the Google fiber project in Kansas City, check out Google.com/fiber/kansascityks.
USDA rural broadband loan program updatedThe USDA today released new information for applicants for its broadband loan program for rural areas. The program is designed to provide loans for the costs of construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment to provide broadband service to eligible rural communities. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA has issued a Notice of Solicitations of Applications and regulations implementing the 2008 Farm Bill for the broadband loan program.
“Broadband investments are an essential part of the Obama Administration’s effort to ‘win the future’ by out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building our global competitors,” Vilsack said in the announcement. “Investments in rural broadband networks create jobs and economic opportunity for rural America. Broadband is critical communications infrastructure of the twenty-first century, and it is vital to building vibrant rural communities.”
The notice is being issued prior to passage of a final appropriations act to allow applicants time to submit proposals and give the agency time to process applications within the current fiscal year, according to the USDA. Upon completion of a 2011 Appropriations Act, RUS will publish a subsequent notice identifying the amount of funding available for broadband loans.
The application guide to assist in preparing applications is available at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/utp_farmbill.html.
USDA’s Farm Bill broadband loan program has invested mote than $1 billion over the past decade in more than 100 projects nationwide, according to the USDA announcement. RUS is planning to schedule training opportunities to educate applicants on new program requirements, and how to submit complete and competitive applications. Dates for the training will be published on the USDA website.
Broadband Lets You Take Advantage of Cyber Monday Holiday SalesCyber Monday is upon us and many Kansans are likely to be surfing and clicking for deals.For example: For more than half of the households surveyed in Connect Kansas’ 2010 Residential Technology Assessment, Cyber Monday may be one of the many reasons residents choose to hop online to make purchases. In a survey of 1,200 Kansas adults, 62% reported they use broadband to shop for goods or services online.
This number is very likely to go up after days like today as people realize the cost benefits of saving time and money while using a high-speed connection to do their holiday shopping.Source: 2010 Connect Kansas Residential Technology Assessment www.connectkansas.org. Spread of broadband may fuel economyKansas Holds 1st Broadband SummitExpanding Broadband Across KansasFrom Jared Cerullo/KAKE-TV:
In the early days of 'the net,' nobody knew how it would change our lives. Now, just about every aspect of our lives depends on being connected. That's why business leaders and officials from across the state are in Wichita for a summit on broadband planning. High-speed Internet isn't just a luxury anymore. It is a vital part of a community's infrastructure.
Watch a video of the Summit
Kansas gets $4.4M from stimulus to expand rural broadbandKansas receives $4.4 million for broadband workMadison Telephone LLC to Provide USDA-Funded Broadband Service to 200 Square Miles in Southeast Kansas Thanks to the Recovery ActSlow To Sign On: High-speed Internet Remains Elusive in Rural KansasHUTCHINSON, KS – When it comes to his Internet connection, there is no "or" for Michael Murphy of Flying M Ranch outside Sylvia.
Link to article here. Connected Nation Previews Interactive Broadband Mapping Tool at Technology Policy Exhibition in Washington, D.C.
Andy Blair from George Washington University asks Connected Tennessee’s Michael Ramage for more detail about interactive broadband coverage maps while Sabrina Matteson, a representative from the American Farm Bureau Federation, observes the presentation.
Connected Nation, in conjunction with ESRI, a market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, showcased its jointly developed new interactive mapping tool for viewing, analyzing, and validating broadband data at a technology policy exhibition on Capitol Hill.
At Tuesday’s technology policy kickoff reception, more than 100 people had the chance to view Connected Nation and ESRI’s BroadbandStat demonstration. Michael Ramage, Executive Director of Connected Tennessee, continued showcasing the technology well after the official end of the event. 
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) welcomes attendees to the Congressional Internet Caucus Kickoff Reception and Technology Policy Exhibition.
Jon Gant, a professor at the University of Illinois at Champaign, stopped by to view the BroadbandStat demonstration on Tuesday.
Gant, who teaches GIS classes and has used GIS data from more than 20 years, was impressed by the easy, user-friendly interface of BroadbandStat.
“Look at how smooth the graphics transition from query to query,” he said, pointing to the screen of BroadbandStat. “And, the small things—like the menus—they are a lot better this way.”
“This [GIS data] is really complicated stuff,” he said Tuesday after viewing BroadbandStat. “And, how you all use and represent this complicated data with this kind of interface is really interesting,” he said.
Jim Geringer, director of Policy and Public Sector Strategies at ESRI and former governor of Wyoming, was on hand on Tuesday, prior to his participation in Wednesday’s panel discussion, “Transforming Government Through Technology: The Real, The Possible, The Surprising.”
“The common underpinning of all activities—economic, social or health—is people connecting with other people and that activity doesn’t happen without broadband,” he said. “You will never understand how much information is in the world until you can connect with broadband. Broadband mapping—or showing who is connecting and who is not—is just the first step.” The Technology Policy Exhibition is a free, educational event that briefs lawmakers and staff, reporters, and representatives from government agencies and private sector organizations on cutting-edge Internet technologies. It is the largest technology exhibition on Capitol Hill. Yesterday’s event served as the official kickoff of today’s 6th Annual State of the Net Conference, hosted by ICAC at the Hyatt Regency, Capitol Hill. Farm Bureaus Lead Rural Development EffortsFrom the Farm Bureau News:
SEATTLE – There was a time when railroads were the perfect rural development tool. Then the interstate system brought prosperity – or in some cases decline – to certain towns.Link to article here.
State Awarded $2 Millon Grantby Matthew Clark/Pittsburg Morning-Sun
PITTSBURG — It has been compared to the rural electrification from the early 1900s and state officials feel that its impact will be just as significant. Link to article here. Editorial: Using technologyBy The Capital-Journal Editorial Board/Topeka Capital Journal
Those of us who have become spoiled by ready access to the Internet and all that it offers, in the work place and home, generally assume that the marvels at our fingertips are available to everyone, until we are reminded that it just isn't so.Link to editorial here. State to map its broadband accessBy John Milburn/Associated Press via the Wichita Eagle
TOPEKA — Kansas will use a new federal grant to identify gaps in access to broadband services and build the infrastructure for economic recovery, the lieutenant governor said Monday.Link to entire article here. Kansas receives $2 million in federal stimulus funds to expand access to Internet in rural areasBy Scott Rothschild/ Lawrence Journal-World
Topeka — Kansas has received a $2 million federal grant that officials say will help provide access to high-speed Internet service throughout the state.Link to article here. State to map coverage gaps with aim of expanding broadband access in rural KansasBy The Associated Press/WDAV-TV
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas officials say they will soon begin mapping the state to determine where there are gaps in access to broadband services.Link to article here. Kansas gets $2M for broadband initiativeby Daniel McCoy/Wichita Business Journal
Kansas has received a $2 million federal grant to help map the state’s existing broadband network. It’s an important step, officials say, in bringing broadband Internet service to rural areas throughout the state.Link to story here.
Stimulus funds to boost Kan. broadbandBy Scott Rothschild/KTKA-TV
Topeka — Kansas has received a $2 million federal grant that officials said Monday will help provide access to high-speed Internet service throughout the state.Link to entire news story here. Kansas gets $2M from stimulus to expand rural broadbandFrom the Kansas City Business Journal:
Kansas has been awarded a $2 million federal grant to spread high-speed Internet access throughout rural Kansas.Link to entire article here. Kansas receives $2 million grant for rural broadband programFrom the Kansas City Star:
Kansas government officials this morning will unveil details of a $2 million federal grant for the Connect Kansas rural broadband program.View entire article here.
Kansas to use stimulus funds to boost broadbandBy John Milburn/The Associated Press via the Washington Post
TOPEKA, Kan. -- Kansas will use a new federal grant to identify gaps in access to broadband services and build the infrastructure for economic recovery, the lieutenant governor said Monday.Link to article Connected Nation, Kansas FB help rural residents connectDecember 7, 2009
Farm Bureau News
“What we do on the Internet is very limited because of the time it takes to download on dial-up. It’s not unusual at all for farm families trying to do business online to load up their work at bedtime and hope for the best by the time they get up in the morning.” • Brenda Dooley, Jewell County, Kansas
Many rural Americans like Brenda are struggling to participate in the new global economy but are being left behind in the digital revolution.
Fortunately, Kansas Farm Bureau and Connected Nation have applied for $9 million in federal stimulus funds to overcome the barriers to broadband adoption and promote broadband use across the state of Kansas. The goal is for all Kansas citizens to have access to broadband at an affordable rate so they can access this technology to improve their personal and professional lives.
View a PDF for the article here. Kansas Receives Internet GrantDecember 1, 2009
By Capital Journal staff/Topeka Capital Journal
Kansas has been awarded a $2 million matching grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration to fund broadband mapping and planning through the Connect Kansas initiative.
View the article here.
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