Jim Lawrence
accessd at shaw.ca
Sat May 14 15:30:00 CDT 2011
With a simple WEP or WPA username and password is always a good idea. The credential can then just be installed on the laptop and the computer will automatically just log-in, so there is no hassle. Security against someone hacking into your computer is less of an issue than someone just being able attached to the Wi-Fi router and using it as an open hot-spot. Otherwise the router will end up being a great location for the next door neighbour's kids to stream data up and down on your dime and band-width while hiding their identity. Jim -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Kathryn Bassett Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 1:02 PM To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues' Subject: [dba-Tech] Questions about wireless modem and printer Just got a $400 (Toshiba) laptop for my sisinlaw who does email, some websurfing, and some non-memory-hog games. My local computer store who I've dealt with since the mid 80s, just got a few in for a promotion, and they will later go for $600. Pretty nice little machine even for $600. One thing it includes is wireless network, so I don't have to cable her to the DSL modem and she can sit in her easy chair vs being chained to her dining room table like she is with the XP desktop from 2005. With wireless DSL modem, is that the same as wireless cable regarding drive by steeling bandwidth and/or snooping on her computer? If so, will simple WEP key be enough to stop it? The printer is also wireless. Do I need to do any security things there? I'm guessing that nobody can steel bandwidth or snoop via printer connection but I want to be sure. Got her a wireless keyboard/mouse as well, but I don't think there's any security issues there. Any other issues I should be aware of before I start setting it up for her. -- Kathryn Rhinehart Bassett (Pasadena CA) "Genealogy is my bag" "GH is my soap" kathryn at bassett.net http://bassett.net _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com