Latest news with #WEP
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
July Social Security boost for teachers, firefighters and more
Hard-earned fairness finally delivered Before, elementary school teachers spent his/her career educating children and paying into Social Security, but watched those benefits shrink once he/she retired with a state pension. The Social Security Fairness Act , which became law in January 2025, fixed that. It repealed two rules, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), that unfairly reduced her benefits. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Product Management Data Science Operations Management Finance Data Science Data Analytics Design Thinking Others CXO Artificial Intelligence Leadership Degree Digital Marketing Public Policy MCA Cybersecurity MBA healthcare Healthcare Project Management PGDM Management others Technology Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Competitive Advantage Tactics Product Development Processes & Market Orientations Product Analytics & Data-Driven Decision Making Agile Development, Design Thinking, & Product Leadership Duration: 40 Weeks IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Roadmapping User-Centric Product Design Agile Product Development Market Analysis & Product Launch Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Creating Effective Product Roadmap User Research & Translating it to Product Design Key Metrics via Product Analytics Hand-On Projects Using Cutting Edge Tools Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Product Management Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Also read: Paper checks ending! 500,000 seniors must act fast as social security goes digital this fall Real lives, real boosts Earlier, firefighters, who retired with a smaller-than-expected income due to GPO, recently saw an extra $700–1,190 per month, enough to ease bills and rebuild savings. Janine, a surviving spouse, now receives the full Social Security benefit she was entitled to, reversing a penalty that wiped out most of her income before. Live Events Why this matters Closing long-standing gaps: About 3 million people had seen their benefits reduced. The reversal aims to correct that, though it has added strain on the Social Security trust fund, which could face earlier shortfalls. But it's not instant Some people still haven't seen their full adjustment. The Social Security Administration expects to automate simpler cases, delivering benefits quickly, most recipients saw increases by April. Check if your pension was non-covered by Social Security (WEP/GPO rules applied). Make sure the SSA has your correct banking and mailing info. Look for two letters from SSA: one for the retroactive 'lump sum,' another for your ongoing higher monthly benefit. If you haven't received your payment yet, call SSA at 1‑800‑772‑1213 or use your mySocialSecurity account. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time Business News
3 days ago
- Time Business News
How to Use 192.168.1.1 to Secure Your Home WiFi Network
Netgear nighthawk routers has a default assigned IP address which helps them to connect with the internet and other devices. These addresses can be changed after use with there subnet. Also, user can use this IP to adjust the router's settings and configure the device. Just apply these below given instructions to reach inside the 192.168.1.1 login interface and configure a few important settings. There are simple to apply major steps to use the 192.168.1.1 IP address to get to the Netgear router interface and access it. Open Chrome. Or Firefox. Doesn't matter. In the address bar (not Google), type this: 192.168.1.1, hit enter. Now you'll see a login box. If you've never changed your router's username or password, it's probably something super basic like: Username: admin admin Password: admin or password Look on the bottom of your router if you're stuck. There's usually a sticker with the default details. Heads up: If you're still using those factory defaults, anyone in range could potentially mess with your settings. Time to fix that… This is where people mess up. Your WiFi password and your router login are two different things . Changing just one isn't enough. Here's how: Go to 'Administration' or 'System Settings' (the name varies depending on brand) Look for something like 'Change Router Password' or 'Login Settings' Create a new username + a real password (not something like 'admin123') You just closed a wide-open door. Good move. Next, head to the 'Wireless' or 'WiFi Settings' section. You'll see something like: SSID (that's just the WiFi network name you see when you're connecting) WiFi Password Change the name of your network. No more 'TP-Link_9C2' or 'NETGEAR54'. That tells people exactly what router you're using—aka gives hackers clues. Use something random or personal (but not your name or address). Then update the password: Make it at least 12 characters Mix upper/lowercase, numbers, and symbols Don't use common words or your dog's name This is what stops neighbors and strangers from mooching or snooping. Simple fix. Big impact. If your router still says WEP or WPA, that's ancient and crackable. Seriously—WEP is so weak someone could break in while ordering a coffee next door. Go to 'Security Settings' or 'Wireless Security.' Set it to: WPA3 (best) Or WPA2 AES if WPA3 isn't an option Do not pick 'WPA2-TKIP' or 'mixed mode'. That stuff's outdated junk. WPS is that 'push-to-connect' button. It feels convenient, but it's actually a security hole. Hackers can brute-force it way too easily. Look for a WPS option—disable it. Done. You can disable the WPS of the extender (if connected), from the Mywifiext (Netgear wifi extender setup) window on your computer. Most routers have a built-in firewall, but sometimes it's not even enabled by default. Dumb, right? Look under Security or Advanced settings and make sure: The firewall is ON Remote management is OFF (you don't want someone accessing your router from across town or the world) Firmware is your router's 'brain.' Manufacturers push updates to fix security holes, but your router doesn't always install them on its own. Find the 'Firmware Update' or 'Software Upgrade' section. Some routers can check for updates automatically—use it. If not, go to the brand's site, search your model, and update manually. One update can close dozens of known backdoors. Got people over often? Kids' friends? Relatives who visit and ask, 'What's the WiFi password?' Create a Guest Network: Keeps your main devices (laptop, smart home gear, cameras) totally separate If their phone's compromised, your stuff stays safe You can even limit speed and time You'll find this in 'Wireless Settings' or 'Guest WiFi.' Not only the Netgear devices are assigned with the 192.168.1.1, the netgear extenders are assigned with a different IP address 192.168.1.250. this IP address is used to setup and configure the extender on your computer. Hope, these instructions helped you to reach inside the setup page. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
CNET
5 days ago
- CNET
I Updated These 5 Settings on My New Router Right Away. Here's Why You Should Too
When you get a new router, it may be tempting to just plug it in, get online as quickly as possible and move on with your life. However, your router is responsible for directing nearly 100% of all internet traffic in your home network: It's definitely worth taking a few minutes to update some security settings before you move on with your day. As CNET's router expert, I know a few easy tricks for creating a secure Wi-Fi network, and when I bought my own router, these were the first settings I updated. It didn't take me very long, and you don't have to be a Wi-Fi expert to find these settings. Whether you just invested in your own router or you're renting one from an ISP, here is what to update on your new Wi-Fi router to enjoy browsing and streaming safely. For context, I'm an Xfinity (Comcast) subscriber, but the tips here should translate no matter what internet provider you use. 1. Change the network name and password To change the username and password, you'll need to log into your provider's website or mobile app. Log in to your account and look for a section for Network or W-Fi settings. On Xfinity's website, I clicked WiFi Details to change the name of my Wi-Fi network and set a new password. Choose a password -- or better yet, a passphrase -- that you'll remember but isn't too easy to guess. Matt Elliott/CNET 2. Choose a security mode If you set a strong password for your router, then you've taken the first step of securing your network rather than leaving it open for anyone to access. With a password set on a modern router, you are most likely using WPA2 or WPA3 encryption. WPA, or Wi-Fi Protected Access, is a 256-bit encryption protocol that is more secure than the older, weaker WEP standard that uses 64- or 128-bit encryption. WPA2 improves upon WPA by using a stronger encryption algorithm. It uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm that is more secure than WPA and its TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) algorithm. WPA3 stepped up the security measures even further, strengthening password security, data encryption and smart home connections. Locating local internet providers Many routers offer a mixed mode of WPA2 and WPA3 so that older devices that pre-date WPA3 can connect to your network. WPA2 has been around for more than 10 years so it's unlikely that your router is still using WPA encryption. When choosing the security mode for your router, I would go with WPA3 and only switch to mixed mode if you have an ancient device that won't connect to your WPA2-protected network. 3. Check network mode and bands If you're using a newer Wi-Fi 7 router or a Wi-Fi 6E router, it broadcasts in three frequencies: 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz. These are the frequencies with which your wireless network broadcasts radio waves to transmit information. All three frequency bands should be on by default, but check the advanced settings of your provider's website or app to check the status of both to make sure they are active. The 2.4GHz band is more crowded because it's the frequency many common electronics in your household use, from cordless phones and baby monitors to garage door openers and microwaves (that's right, think twice about placing your router near a microwave or other electronics). You might run into network interference with 2.4GHz, but it allows older devices to connect to your network. The 5GHz band is less congested and faster but has a shorter range than the 2.4GHz band. The 6GHz band is significantly faster than the other two, but it works best when your device is around 15 feet or closer to your router. With all three modes operating, your router will choose the best mode for each of your network devices. 4. Enable parental controls Look for a Parental Controls or Access Restrictions section to establish some boundaries for your kids' devices. With Xfinity, click the People tab to set up profiles for your kids. You can assign devices for each profile and then hit Pause for any or all devices of a profile to give them a break from Instagram, Snapchat, texting and everything else on the Internet. You can also enable parental controls for a profile to "reduce the risk of accessing objectionable websites and apps and enable protective search settings for Google, Bing and YouTube." You'll also find the option to set active hours for your kids' devices. Xfinity calls it Bedtime mode, which lets you set the hours the internet is and isn't available. There are different options for weeknights and weekends. Matt Elliott/CNET 5. Set up guest network Creating a guest Wi-Fi network saves you from potentially giving visitors access to shared computers and files on your network as well as the hassle of needing to tell them your complicated or embarrassing Wi-Fi password. In your account settings, look for Guest Network or Home Hotspot. Matt Elliott/CNET With Xfinity, I couldn't find this setting with the other Wi-Fi settings but instead had to move a level up to my general account settings. From the main account page, it was listed under Settings. With it enabled, Xfinity started broadcasting a separate network called "xfinitywifi" that guests can use without needing to track me down for a password.
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Social Security Update: Payout Shift Triggers Drop in Personal Income
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Personal income in the United States declined by 0.4 percent in May, marking the first monthly drop since 2021, according to recently released government data. The decrease was not driven by Americans earning less, but was instead attributed to a shift in Social Security benefit payouts. This change comes amid ongoing concerns about the financial sustainability of the program, as its trust fund is forecast to run out of cash within the next 10 years unless legislative action occurs. Why It Matters The decline in personal income underscores the significant influence that Social Security has on the nation's economic well-being. With more than 60 million Americans receiving benefits, even modest adjustments in payouts can affect broader measures of household income and economic stability. Concerns about Social Security's solvency have been mounting, with the program facing automatic benefit reductions if Congress does not intervene before the trust fund is depleted. According to a report released by Social Security trustees last month, once the trust fund is exhausted, payroll taxes would only be sufficient to cover about 77 percent of scheduled benefits. Advocates and policymakers warn that such cuts could increase poverty rates among older Americans and disrupt finances of millions who depend on these payments. A Social Security Administration office in Washington, D.C., is pictured on March 26. A Social Security Administration office in Washington, D.C., is pictured on March 26. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images What To Know In May, there was a 0.4 percent dip in personal income, following a 0.8 percent rise in April. Analysts have attributed the decline not to lower wages or earnings, but to a specific change in how Social Security benefits were distributed. Since the Social Security Fairness Act went into effect, retroactive payments were sent out to beneficiaries in March and April, triggering monthly income to temporarily rise for nearly 3 million recipients. The law affects former public sector workers whose jobs previously did not receive equal coverage from Social Security. Due to the boost, it appeared income dropped in May, but moving forward, the extra benefits will be factored into monthly payments. "What really happened is that the Social Security Fairness Act eliminated two provisions. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) & the Government Pension Offset (GPO). They previously reduced benefits for individuals who also receive income from public pensions," Michael Ryan, finance expert and founder of told Newsweek. "These retired teachers, firefighters, and government workers had been getting the short end of the stick for years. Having their Social Security benefits slashed just because they'd also earned a pension from their public service jobs," Ryan added. The Social Security trust fund is projected to run out of cash by 2033, about nine months sooner than anticipated last year, due in part to the new Social Security Fairness Act. Trustees have warned that, without legislative intervention, benefits for over 60 million recipients would automatically be slashed by 23 percent once the fund is empty. A recent analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projected that a typical couple could see annual Social Security benefits drop by up to $16,500 in 2033 if no fix is enacted, while a middle-income single worker could face a reduction of $8,200 per year. This amounts to an automatic 21 percent cut to monthly checks. More than 11,000 baby boomers now reach retirement age daily, resulting in fewer workers supporting a growing population of beneficiaries. Decades of surplus payroll taxes have created a large, but dwindling, trust fund buffer. Once depleted, incoming payroll taxes would only sustain partial payments, covering 77 percent to 79 percent of promised benefits, according to current estimates. Potential solutions discussed include raising payroll taxes, lifting the income cap on taxable wages, cutting benefits or raising the retirement age. However, these proposals face political resistance and there have been no specific plans proposed by the president or Congress. What People Are Saying Ryan also told Newsweek: "When May rolled around and those lump sums disappeared from the monthly calculations, it looked like everyone suddenly got poorer. It's like if you got a big tax refund in April. Your income would spike that month, then 'drop' in May even though you're not actually making less money." Martha Shedden, president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, told Newsweek: "Beneficiaries affected by the Social Security Fairness Act were issued retroactive checks by the SSA for their new monthly amounts, some for as many as 16 months back to January 2024. "Those individuals are now receiving higher monthly benefit checks that will not change going forward except for the annual COLAs each January." What's Next Congress faces increasing pressure to address Social Security's funding gap before the trust fund depletion deadline in 2033. Should legislators fail to take action, automatic benefit cuts will be enacted under current law, significantly impacting retirees' incomes and potentially further reducing nationwide personal income figures. At the moment, the Social Security Fairness Act is adding even more strain to the financially overrun system. "This is fantastic news for about 2.8 million public sector retirees who've been getting shafted by these arcane rules. But it's also adding pressure to Social Security's already strained finances. We're talking about billions in additional payouts at a time when the program's trustees are warning about fund depletion," Ryan said. "It's honestly a perfect storm of good intentions meeting fiscal reality. We're essentially robbing from tomorrow's beneficiaries to pay today's."
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Social Security Hits Major Milestone for Millions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed it has completed sending payments to those who were impacted by the Social Security Fairness Act, five months ahead of schedule. Why It Matters Under the Biden administration, the federal agency, which pays benefits to tens of millions every month, said the process of issuing new and backdated payments could take considerably longer. At the time, the SSA told Newsweek it was "determining the timelines for implementing this new law." What To Know In January, lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill that repealed two provisions—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)—that limited retirement benefits for certain workers, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers, some federal employees, and their spouses. The agency first started issuing these payments in February. The new payments included updated benefits amount and backdated payments to January 2024. Despite previous longer timelines being for implementation, the SSA has now confirmed it has sent out 3.1 million payments to those impacted by the repeal of the WEP and GPO. To date, over $17 billion in payments has been distributed. The WEP reduced Social Security benefits for individuals who received pensions from public-sector jobs—such as state or federal positions—that did not require paying Social Security payroll taxes. This reduction applied even if they also worked in jobs where they paid into Social Security and qualified for benefits. The GPO lowered spousal or survivor benefits for retired federal, state, or local government workers who had not contributed to Social Security through payroll taxes. File photo: The Social Security Administration sign is seen on a field office building in San Jose, California, in 2020. File photo: The Social Security Administration sign is seen on a field office building in San Jose, California, in 2020. GETTY Other Changes The SSA also said it has made "significant progress in its ongoing efforts to improve customer service," including upgrading telephone systems in 841 field offices—70 percent nationwide—and cut the average wait time on its 800 Number to 13 minutes, a 35 percent drop from last year. A new service model in field offices has reduced wait times by 10 percent year-over-year, the agency reported, and the initial disability claims backlog has been cut by 25 percent, from 1.2 million to 950,000 cases. Disability hearings have reached a low of 276,000 still pending, with wait times down by 60 days compared to last summer, the agency added. What People Are Saying SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano said in the press release: "My top priority is to transform SSA into a model of excellence—an organization that operates at peak efficiency and delivers outstanding service to every American. "The American people have waited long enough for better service, and they deserve the absolute best from their government. I am deeply grateful to our dedicated employees who are already making this turnaround a reality." What Happens Next The SSA said the agency is continuing to make improvements across its services.
