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Articles and tutorials on how to build your own network, use Wi-Fi routers, share files and folders, transfer files, or stream media over the internet.

What is the Hosts file in Windows? How to edit etc/hosts?

  • tutorial
  • Radu Tyrsina
The Hosts file, a.k.a etc/hosts has been around since 1984. Every operating system has one, including Windows. You may have encountered the term etc/hosts without knowing what it means, and why it is used. If you are a web developer, you surely know what this file is, and you want to find it quickly. In this guide, we explain what the Hosts file is, where it is located in Windows,

Block apps and games from accessing the internet, with Windows Defender Firewall

  • tutorial
  • Radu Tyrsina
Most apps and games you install in Windows have, by default, unrestricted access to the internet. However, you can control their internet access through the Windows Firewall. With it, you can block access to the internet for specific apps and games, on all types of network connections, or on specific types of network connections. Here is how to use the firewall built into Windows, to block apps and games from

Review TP-Link Deco M9 Plus: mesh WiFi that plays nice with your smart home!

  • review
  • Radu Tyrsina
TP-Link makes interesting mesh WiFi systems that provide a balance between price, performance, and features. This time we are testing their most expensive mesh WiFi system to date: TP-Link Deco M9 Plus. It has modern hardware, and it features integration with smart home devices like smart bulbs, smart plugs, sensors, thermostats, and so on, including those made by brands other than TP-Link. If this has aspect alone has stirred your
article What is the MAC address, and how is it used?

What is the MAC address, and how is it used?

MAC addresses are a vital part of networking. Much like IP addresses, MAC addresses can be a confusing concept for someone without a technical background. Nevertheless, in this article, we give you enough information about MAC addresses for you to understand what they are, why you need them, and how they are used. Let's get started: First, the basic components of all networks

Reviewing ASUS RT-AC67U: The most affordable AiMesh WiFi system!

  • review
  • Radu Tyrsina
ASUS RT-AC67U is a mesh WiFi system composed of two wireless routers. Their firmware was optimized so that they work as a mesh WiFi system while offering all the tools, configuration options, and benefits of a typical wireless router. All this at a price that is more competitive than the ASUS Lyra lineup of mesh WiFi systems. If we have stirred your curiosity, and you want to know what this

Reviewing Synology DiskStation DS418: Modular and well built!

  • review
  • Radu Tyrsina
Synology is quite the brand name when it comes to NAS (Network Attached Storage) solutions. Recently, we received their DiskStation DS418 4-bay NAS for testing. It is a well-built device, with excellent modular software. By default, when you turn it on the first time, it includes only the bare-bones features of a NAS. However, you can extend it to be anything you wish, from a personal cloud storage solution to

Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security: What is it? How to open it?

  • tutorial
  • Radu Tyrsina
The Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security is a tool which gives you detailed control over the rules that are applied by the Windows Defender Firewall. You can view all the rules that are used by the Windows Defender Firewall, change their properties, create new rules or disable existing ones. In this tutorial, we share how to open the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security, how to find your way
review ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 review: Over the top, in every way!

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 review: Over the top, in every way!

If you search the news about the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 wireless router, you see journalists and bloggers saying things like: "world's first tri-band 802.11ax router," "ASUS wants to supercharge your home network with this ultra-fast router," or "we wouldn't want to encounter one of these in a dark alley." When you see its picture, it is clear that you are dealing with a

Netgear Nighthawk X10 review: Is it worth investing in the 802.11ad standard?

  • review
  • Radu Tyrsina
NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 is not a new wireless router, even though it is one of the first on the market to bring support for the 802.11ad wireless standard. However, it is a new wireless router for us, at Digital Citizen, as it is the first time we get the chance to review a wireless router from this company. Nighthawk X10 is a massive wireless router, with impressive hardware, specs, and
tutorial Connect to a Windows PC from Ubuntu using Remote Desktop Connection

Connect to a Windows PC from Ubuntu using Remote Desktop Connection

One useful feature of Windows is that you can connect to your desktop from another location to remotely manage your computer. Fortunately, major Linux distributions also offer this feature and Ubuntu is one of them. If you want to connect to your Windows computers from Ubuntu remotely, you can use the default RDP client found in it, called Remmina. Here is how to create,

ASUS RT-AX88U review: The first router that showcases the new Wi-Fi 6 standard!

  • review
  • Radu Tyrsina
Even though the 802.11ax wireless standard, also known as Wi-Fi 6 is not yet finalized, we already see wireless routers with support for it being launched. The first consumer 802.11ax wireless router comes from ASUS. Its name is ASUS RT-AX88U, and this router is a beast, regarding size, hardware, and features. If you want to know what the first AX wireless router has to offer, read our review for ASUS

With the upcoming Deco M4, TP-Link allows users to use different Decos in one network

  • news
  • Radu Tyrsina
While working on the world premiere review of the upcoming Deco M4 mesh WiFi system, we discovered that TP-Link is preparing through firmware updates, cross-mesh WiFi compatibility between all their Deco models, both existing and upcoming. As a result, users are going to be able to create their unique network topology using TP-Link Deco M9 Plus, Deco P7, Deco M5, and the upcoming Deco M4. Learn more from this news

TP-Link Deco M4 review: Affordable and with excellent potential!

  • review
  • Radu Tyrsina
TP-Link is preparing the international launch of a new mesh WiFi system, called Deco M4 or Deco M4R. It is their most affordable mesh WiFi system yet, and it plans to compete with other brands that have aggressive pricing like Tenda. It packs solid hardware, and also fewer features than previous models. If you want to know more about the most affordable mesh WiFi from TP-Link, read our world-premiere review

Review TP-Link Deco M5 v2: A beautiful whole-home WiFi system!

  • review
  • Radu Tyrsina
TP-Link is famous for its affordably priced home networking products. They manufacture not only wireless routers but also mesh WiFi systems. Their top-selling product in this niche is Deco M5, which now has a new v2 variant, which brings several quality-of-life improvements compared to the first model. We very much enjoyed testing TP-Link Deco M5 v1, and we were curious to see whether v2 is an even better model. Read

Simple questions: What is two-factor authentication or two-step verification?

  • misc
  • Radu Tyrsina
In recent years a new security concept has made the headlines - two-step verification or two-factor authentication (2FA). It all started with Google enabling it for its users, and since then, many companies followed their example, including Microsoft, Apple, and Facebook. Even gaming companies joined this trend. If you would like to understand what two-factor authentication is, how it works, why you should enable it and where read this article:

Review CyberGhost: One of the best VPNs money can buy

  • review
  • Radu Tyrsina
CyberGhost VPN is one of the most popular VPN services in the world. Also, it is one of the easiest to use and one of the most affordable. Due to the elimination of Net Neutrality rules in the USA, and other legislative changes around the world, privacy and security have become more critical than ever. Is CyberGhost's VPN service up to the task of protecting your privacy? Find out from

Synology MR2200ac review: Not your average mesh WiFi system!

  • review
  • Radu Tyrsina
Synology MR2200ac is the second Synology networking device that we have tested, and we are impressed. It is clear to us that this company knows how to deliver excellent networking devices to the consumer market, with top-notch security, privacy built-in, as well as advanced controls for the users those who need them. Synology MR2200ac is not just another mesh WiFi system. Its looks are rather dull, but its performance is

Synology RT2600ac review: Security, privacy, and flexibility!

  • review
  • Radu Tyrsina
Synology is a Taiwanese company that specializes in network-attached storage products, which are famous for their quality. Two former Microsoft employees founded the company that started by coding an operating system. Today, Synology manufactures wireless routers for homes and businesses, and the company offers a few attractive models. Their most premium wireless router is Synology RT2600ac. It is a solid device, with modern specs, and some incredible software. If you
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