Improving password security will help in all areas, especially with your home network. In fact, a strong password should be considered the most important part of your home network security strategy. Why? Because even if other areas in your network pose vulnerabilities, a secure password will take the most time and effort to crack.

One thing I really like about my Tomato router is the amount of control it gives me. When I travel or go on vacation, I still need access to my home network so I can’t just unplug the router. With Tomato, I can block Internet access entirely, or just part of the day. Or I can block Internet access for a specific computer at specific hours of the day.

Sometimes, the so-called “network security experts” really drive me nuts. Sure, if you work in a corporate financial office that manages millions of personal and business bank accounts, –sure, you need to keep things pretty tight. But if you’re an average-joe or even a small business owner with 2 PC’s and a notebook, you don’t need the overkill.