Well, since no one else has talked about open WiFi access points, let
me. If you do not need an encryption key to log onto the network there
is no protection at all. Any thing you send over the network can be
intercepted and read.
Unless you are providing your own encryption such as a hhtps login, do
not access anything you want to keep secure, especially do not access
anything to do with money like your bank, ebay, paypal, etc.
In the worse case scenario someone can actually get access to your
computer. My own wireless is set up with restricted access and
encryption behind a firewall. Reasonably secure although not as secure
as a wired network connection. I do not access my bank account over the
wireless part of the network anyway. The guy down the way from me in
this small apartment building has an open connection, anyone can log on
and datalog his internet access. He only seems to have one computer or
you could datalog his whole network.
graywolf
http://www.graywolfphoto.com
http://webpages.charter.net/graywolf
"Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof"
-----------------------------------
Joseph Tainter wrote:
Upon powering up my new Dell laptop, it immediately starts looking for
wireless networks nearby, and has found several. The computer, of
course, came with no printed manual, and the one on the hard drive is
not too informative.
Can anyone recommend good web sites where I can learn how to use this
technology? And particularly how to remain safe while doing so?
What will happen if I tell the computer to connect to one of the
networks it has detected nearby?
If one goes to a university with a wireless network, or an airport, or a
Starbucks, how does one get the encryption key? Or do such places
require encryption keys?
Is turning off file and printer sharing enough to ensure security on a
wireless network?
Thanks,
Joe
