How do you keep your office building safe from data theft?

British defence contractor has come up with wallpaper that prevents Wi-Fi signals from escaping from a building without blocking mobile phone signals. This is to prevent hackers from tapping into Wi-Fi networks set up casually by office workers. Normally, such Wi-Fi networks are unprotected by a firewall. Hackers can use the Wi-Fi signals to gain illegal access to a company's secure network, and hence its data.

Of course, one option is to ban staff from using their own local Wi-Fi setups. However, you may want to give them the freedom to roam. The technology, commissioned by the UK's telecoms regulator, Ofcom, uses BAE Systems' Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) sheeting, which is used to protect radar antennas on warships or military aircraft.

The FSS wallpaper is made from a 0.1-millimetre-thick sheet of copper-coated kapton, a plastic used to make flexible printed circuit boards in portable devices such as camcorders.

Previously IT security had to signal-proof offices by lining the walls with aluminium foil and by using window glass that absorbs radio waves, according to New Scientist magazine. The technique ensures all electromagnetic emissions are absorbed, meaning cellphones could not be used in the building.

Ofcom says the new wallpaper can block Wi-Fi at 2.4, 5 and 6 gigahertz, while letting through GSM, 3G cellphone signals, and emergency service calls. You can also choose to block all signals by feeding a current through the diodes in the wallpaper.

Now that's security proofing. A square metre will set the company back about $930, BAE estimates. The company is working on a transparent, ultra-thin version to be used for coating windows.

IT staff interested in the technology can download BAE's final report on the technology to Ofcom at . Look in the "Research" section, or easier still do a search at the site using "BAE". You'll come up with the project, part of Ofcom's "Spectrum efficiency Scheme".

While we're on the subject of wireless communications network (Wi-Fi) Cnet.com is offering some free online courses aimed at helping the small business owner get a handle on using the technology effectively. "Wireless Hot Spots 101" begins on December 2 and runs for a month. The course is a primer on how a Wi-Fi hot spot works, how to connect to one and the difference between free and subscription hot spots. The "E-mail Roadwarrior" has already started, but you can still jump in.

The course discusses how to use cell phones, PDAs, Blackberry devices and notebook computers to make continuous e- mail access from just about anywhere a reality. The course ends December 17 and you have until two weeks after to access the lessons.

Other courses are also available including "Advanced Home Networking", which will show you how to set up a secure home computer network. Register for free at http://courses.help.com.

Can you tell the difference between a fraudulent e-mail and a legitimate one? Both types may be seem to come from a respected financial institution or other firm with which you may have an online account with. But one (called a phish) will direct you to a fraudulent website, where the unsuspecting account holder will enter their passwords and personal details. The fraudster can then use the information to get access to your account.

See if you can spot the difference by taking MailFrontier's Phishing IQ Test II at . The quiz gives you ten new suspect phish fresh from MailFrontier's collection ? all actually received by individuals.

Whether you're brand new or a repeat tester, the question is the same: If you received one of these emails in your inbox ? what would you do? To take the test, click on the link for each question. Then read it, review it and decide if it's legitimate or a phish.

Christmas is on its way and the survey firms are tossing out their predictions. JupiterResearch predicts online retail sales will reach $21.6 billion in the US this holiday season.

The forecast figure is predicts a rise in online sales of 19 percent over last year. JupiterResearch also notes that over half of those who will buy on online also say they will use the Web to get gift ideas or to seek better prices.

Here's a scary stat for those who wear glasses. Myopic workers with a history of long-term computer using might have an increased risk of visual field abnormalities, possibly related to glaucoma according to Dr. Masayuki Tatemichi, of the Toho University School of Medicine in Tokyo. His report was published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

In the run-up to Christmas I plan to do a column on the most powerful desktop computer you can get ? money no object. I'll list all the latest technology you can pack into such a beast. While I will also be contacting all the local Bermuda retailers to find out what is the most powerful desktop in their arsenals, I hope that they would take the initiative and send me the specs for their dream machine.

Pack it with all the hardware and software goodies. I may also miss some of you individuals out their who are in the business, so send me an e-mail at ahmed.elaminwanadoo.fr

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