Topic: Router

The hosts discussed the transition from traditional newspapers to "human content routers" who distill information for their audiences. The episode concluded with a reminder to support the show via the value-for-value model and a final sign-off from Austin and Silicon Valley.

A CBS "Eye on Cyber" segment provides basic security advice for home routers, such as changing default passwords and installing firmware updates. The report suggests that the FBI warned of Russian intelligence agencies targeting small office routers. The hosts find the advice to "turn the router off and on again" to be overly simplistic and potentially unhelpful against sophisticated malware.

Technical difficulties with Skype and home networking were traced back to issues with IPv6 implementation by ISPs like AT&T and Comcast. The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 is reportedly causing connectivity problems for many users, leading some to disable the protocol entirely. This friction poses a challenge for the rollout of the "Internet of Things" (IoT).

Technical difficulties during previous broadcasts were traced to an AT&T fiber router and the implementation of IPv6. Disabling IPv6 reportedly resolved significant packet loss and connection interruptions, despite AT&T technicians advising against the change. The hosts discuss the necessity of using third-party hardware to maintain a stable stream, as the provided ISP equipment was deemed insufficient for high-bandwidth broadcasting.

The FBI issued a public service announcement recommending that home and small office users reboot their routers to disrupt "VPN Filter" malware. This foreign-actor malware is capable of collecting information and rendering devices inoperable. Experts suggest that power cycling the devices can clear volatile memory and help identify infected hardware, particularly those with compromised DNS settings.

Eric Chien of Symantec discusses the importance of patching home routers to prevent them from being harnessed for large-scale cyberattacks. The segment also reviews the "Real to Reel" newsletter from Hollywood Health & Society, which lists upcoming focus areas for TV writers, including HIV risk in youth, geriatric independence, and vulnerabilities in U.S. military space systems.

A listener's experiment attempting to replicate a famous study on watercress growth near Wi-Fi routers showed no negative effects, contradicting previous claims. The discussion shifts to broader concerns regarding the rollout of 5G technology and high-frequency radiation.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the program by discussing technical delays caused by a slow router reboot. The hosts remark on the frustrations of modern technology before transitioning into the week's news cycle.

The hosts address technical issues from a previous episode caused by a malfunctioning router at the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX). The router was rebooting every 20 to 40 minutes, disrupting T-Mobile broadband provisioning across Europe. Adam Curry notes that infrastructure repairs were delayed because the failure occurred on a Sunday.

FBI Director James Comey warned criminals that they are "kidding themselves" if they believe they can hide on the dark web using the Onion Router (Tor). Comey stated that government efforts over the last five years have made it possible to view activity previously thought to be hidden. The discussion suggests that the government likely controls many Tor exit nodes.

Vint Cerf explains that many streaming delays attributed to net neutrality issues are actually caused by "buffer bloat" in home routers. This occurs when a router's memory fills up faster than it can transmit data, leading to retransmissions and congestion. This technical differential is often misunderstood by the public as intentional ISP throttling.

A discussion regarding technical issues with BitTorrent Sync 2.0 reveals that the software update continues to overwhelm router Network Address Translation (NAT) tables. The high volume of connections causes significant network slowdowns, a problem that persisted from version 1.0. Additionally, reports indicate the company recently laid off approximately 45% of its workforce due to revenue challenges.

While John Dvorak attempts to fix a peering issue with his Sonic.net internet connection, Adam Curry reads birthday announcements for listeners. Celebrants include Sir Keith Chamberlain (73), Rosalind Furness (41), and Paige Walden. The hosts struggle with technical lag and router settings during the transition.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 648 of the No Agenda show from Amsterdam and Northern Silicon Valley. Curry describes resolving technical streaming issues from the previous broadcast by adjusting his router's Wi-Fi radio frequency bandwidth from 20 to 40 megahertz. The hosts discuss the challenges of managing a live chat room and technical backchannels while troubleshooting hardware during a production.

An aside covers the difficulties of providing tech support to family members who do not understand how the internet works. The hosts discuss the "designated techie" role in households and share a personal anecdote about using humor and respect to get better results from technical assistance. They emphasize that home users often mistake local Wi-Fi issues for global internet outages.

The hosts discuss reports that the Tor (The Onion Router) network has been compromised, leading to arrests. They reiterate that because Tor was originally developed by the U.S. government, it was likely always compromised. The segment explains the risks associated with volunteering as an exit node, which can attract law enforcement attention due to illicit traffic.

A discussion regarding technical difficulties with office printers following a router replacement. Details include the transition to 802.11ac wireless standards, which theoretically deliver 1.2 gigabits per second by utilizing multiple channels on the 5GHz frequency. Windows 8 is noted for providing real-time connection speed data compared to previous operating systems.

A discussion regarding home networking issues highlights the necessity of rebooting high-end routers to maintain internet speeds. One host describes experiencing sluggish performance and site loading failures until a router reset restored a 26 Mbps download speed. The technical cause is identified as buffer overflow, a common issue in consumer-grade networking hardware.

The FCC has launched a program with SamKnows to distribute free broadband routers to U.S. citizens to monitor ISP performance. The technology, which includes "secret sauce" software, was previously tested in the United Kingdom. The hosts warn that these devices may serve as a voluntary surveillance network, allowing the government to monitor home internet activity under the guise of consumer protection.

The broadcast is interrupted by significant audio interference and technical glitches. One of the hosts struggles with a Macintosh system and virtual audio routing, eventually requiring a reboot of the virtual router. The conversation shifts to the show's dependency on clips and a "fail-safe" system that allows them to stay on air even when the clip player fails.