| Author |
Message |
    
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 2129
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 2:22 pm: |     |
I know this has been discussed before, but I can't find the threads that can help me. I just bought a new laptop with wireless access. I know there are precautions I need to take when I connect to the internet above and beyond non-wireless access. Can someone please tell me what I need to do?
Also, does anyone have the links to Adaware, Spybot etc., as I no longer have access to these links.
Thanks! |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 1112
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 2:56 pm: | |
/discus/messages/3137/86480.html?431748
/discus/messages/3137/71162.html?1121152522
Make sure you are using encryption on the router and on the laptop, configure the router to allow access to a specific MAC address (your laptops, & anything else connected to it), configure the router so that you have to use a password to gain access through it.
Do yo have the manual for the router? There is usually a section or two describing how to do all this, if not - you can go to the manufacturers website and most likely download a pdf. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 2131
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 10:11 pm: | |
Thanks Monster! As soon as I figure out why Norton won't let me download all the updates I am told to download after runing 'live update' I'm going to download the other things. For now, I'm not going to set up the wireless router. |
TomD
Citizen
Username: Tomd
Post Number: 154
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 9:08 am: | |
One thing to note about limiting by MAC address, if a guest happens to come over with their own laptop and you have no problem with them using your internet connection, you'll need to get the MAC address off their device, go to your router config, enter the MAC address and then give them the network name and the WEP password. It's a hassle.
Personally, I skipped the MAC address part, I put in a WEP password and (this is a good thing to do) disable broadcast on the router. Also, don't use the default name (probably "Linksys"). Change the name to something, anything, else. If a hacker (on the off chance someone was actually lurking outside your house with a laptop) can't see your router, there's little chance of someone using it.
And, as Monster mentioned, make sure you set the password to access the configuration page of your router.
And you can download the Norton Antivirus updates without LiveUpdate, just google "norton virus definition" and it will lead you to an executable that will update your virus definitions. |
Zapatos Rotos Ktr
Citizen
Username: Katracho
Post Number: 73
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 9:10 am: | |
As is the case with milk, check the expiration date on your Norton AntiVirus. The Norton version that comes with a new computer is usually a trial version. I think you get 90 days of free updates. You need to purchase a subscription after the trial period.
Also, if you go to http://www.download.com and do a search for Spybot and Ad-Aware, you'd be able to download the latest Freeware versions. For additional protection, you may want to add ZoneAlarm or other firewall software to your laptop. At home, your wireless router has a built-in firewall, and you know that you are the only one (theoretically) using the router. On the road, say at a coffee shop or other free hotspot, you don't know who's out there, so, you need to protect your laptop. Nothing is ever 100% hacker or virus proof, but anti-virus and firewall software should minimize your exposure. |
kevin
Citizen
Username: Eloso
Post Number: 75
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 3:33 pm: | |
I do just the opposite than TomD. If find that typing in the 64 or 128bit WEP key more complicated than putting in a guests MAC address.
I realize that this will allow a wardriver (someone that drives by with a wireless sniffer) to intercept my web browsing but since important data is encrypted with SSL all the way to the server it is safe. |
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