G'day everyone, I have just been reading previous comments on computer security ( last post was August 2009) as I am considering taking a laptop on trip and I have some reservations about wireless security and how to conduct secure transactions using wireless. I have used VET, which became CA ( computer associates) internet security suite until the past year when I gave up on them due to terrible service, increasing cost of their product and product itself not doing the job advertised. For the past year I have used AVG free, Spybot and Malwarebytes anti malware combined with auto updates of microsoft. ( I also manually check everyday online as well; paranoia can be useful At home I use an ethernet cable for online transactions and rest of time its wireless ( my modem factory default was changed to one of my choosing and I have to admit,if I hadnt readup on wireless laptops I would not have picked up on this and there are plenty of unsecured modems around me when I search for connection) So, if I purchase prepaid wireless modem what do I need to ensure security is maintained, do these prepaid modems have security issues around hotspots etc. Away from home I have no knowledge of the issues faced with wireless laptop. Final comment for the moment is a tip that I found published by the Malaysian govt to its citizens to check that webpage visited is what you think it is: R click blank screen area and go to properties...it will confirm if you are on page you want. Quick, simple and effective. Cheers everyone Ozi
Happywanderer said
02:05 PM Sep 21, 2010
Thats interesting ozi2. I have just set up my laptop with wireless internet connection for exactly that, to travel and be able to keep in contact with family and I also pay all my accounts online. I have BigPond wireless. Is there a problem with security, I don't know but like you I check almost daily into my bank account to see my balance hasn't changed.
Have always done it even with the old connections.
Cruising Granny said
02:17 PM Sep 21, 2010
I've had Bigpond Wireless for about 4 years now, and have had not security problems with it.
However I have had security problems through other methods such as plaguerising email addresses to advertise.
Even my own site, "tagalong" was infected with viruses, despite all the reassurance from the host site.
We can never be too careful with this wonderful technology. Like everything good, it falls victim to the scammers of this world, and for every piece of good technology, they're working on polluting it with viruses etc.
Just make sure you have a good anti-virus program, and a malware program to do your best to fight these mongrels.
In the case of tagalong, there is no personal, financial information, but they just got their jollies with phishing, and shutting us down. In one instance they even left their email address as the "tag". The host in this case was at fault. They claim security, but on 3 instances they failed us.
We can never be too careful. If you do all you can to protect your machine and the data, the rest is up to the computer gods.
I used a remote drive to protect my writing work and other important stuff, but the viruses can get into there as well. Be careful what you save and where.
I also use memory sticks, flash drives, to store my writing work. Then there's back up internally.
All the best, but don't get paranoid.
ozi2 said
05:06 PM Sep 21, 2010
Happywanderer wrote:
Thats interesting ozi2. I have just set up my laptop with wireless internet connection for exactly that, to travel and be able to keep in contact with family and I also pay all my accounts online. I have BigPond wireless. Is there a problem with security, I don't know but like you I check almost daily into my bank account to see my balance hasn't changed. Have always done it even with the old connections.
Hi Happywanderer, are you running anti virus software/malware etc on your laptop? Since posting this morning I have contacted DSE (Dick Smith) and asked their tech's if prepaid broadband modem has any security feature's....they said no, just have good anti virus/spyware installed!! Using wireless at home we can use either ethernet cable or wireless modem with WPA encryption to prevent loss of information, especially sensitive passwords etc, however as I understand it when using laptop with mobile wireless modem this is not so. I would appreciate it if some of our computer savvy members can clarify this issue and any tips regarding hotspots etc and what to avoid. Better safe than sorry in this day and age. Ozi2
ozi2 said
05:21 PM Sep 21, 2010
Cruising Granny wrote:
I've had Bigpond Wireless for about 4 years now, and have had not security problems with it. However I have had security problems through other methods such as plaguerising email addresses to advertise. Even my own site, "tagalong" was infected with viruses, despite all the reassurance from the host site. We can never be too careful with this wonderful technology. Like everything good, it falls victim to the scammers of this world, and for every piece of good technology, they're working on polluting it with viruses etc. Just make sure you have a good anti-virus program, and a malware program to do your best to fight these mongrels. In the case of tagalong, there is no personal, financial information, but they just got their jollies with phishing, and shutting us down. In one instance they even left their email address as the "tag". The host in this case was at fault. They claim security, but on 3 instances they failed us. We can never be too careful. If you do all you can to protect your machine and the data, the rest is up to the computer gods. I used a remote drive to protect my writing work and other important stuff, but the viruses can get into there as well. Be careful what you save and where. I also use memory sticks, flash drives, to store my writing work. Then there's back up internally. All the best, but don't get paranoid.
Hi Cruising Granny, good points you make about memory sticks, backup etc, nice simple way of storing important doc's/info. I had a huge problem with my internet security suite in getting tech support. It went from a base here in Oz employing locals to an offshore site in India where it was next to impossible to "cut through" and size of files slowed computer down so much. I now run AVG. Malware bytes etc and have had no problems to date. I'm of the opinion that you can never do too much checking with so much to lose on the internet, my first task daily before anything else is to check updates and run regular scans/defrags etc. Do you use IE, Firefox etc? cheers Ozi2
stan747 said
05:47 PM Sep 21, 2010
I've always used 'Avast' antivirus and nothing else. Free download renuable every year with daily updates, no problems to date
Happywanderer said
06:11 PM Sep 21, 2010
I'm using McAfee. I bought a pack when I bought this laptop at the beginning of the year. Hope its enough.
PeterD said
05:28 PM Sep 22, 2010
ozi2 wrote:So, if I purchase prepaid wireless modem what do I need to ensure security is maintained, do these prepaid modems have security issues around hotspots etc.
You seem to be confusing two styles of wireless here. Hotspots work through 802.11 Wi-Fi systems like your home networking. These are not safe unless you can set up both ends of the link.
Prepaid modems generally operate over a mobile phone system. If you don't have any Blur Tooth systems switched on, your system is as secure as your mobile phone. I am posting this using one of the blue toasters on BigPond. I feel fully secure using it. I do my banking but will not near a bank connection if I am using one of those Wi-Fi connections that are offered at caravan parks. If you are using a dongle supplied by Telstra or BigPond your radio connection will be safe. You just need the usual virus safeguards that you use on a dial up or braodband connection.
ozi2 said
05:45 PM Sep 22, 2010
PeterD wrote:
ozi2 wrote:So, if I purchase prepaid wireless modem what do I need to ensure security is maintained, do these prepaid modems have security issues around hotspots etc.
You seem to be confusing two styles of wireless here. Hotspots work through 802.11 Wi-Fi systems like your home networking. These are not safe unless you can set up both ends of the link.
Prepaid modems generally operate over a mobile phone system. If you don't have any Blur Tooth systems switched on, your system is as secure as your mobile phone. I am posting this using one of the blue toasters on BigPond. I feel fully secure using it. I do my banking but will not near a bank connection if I am using one of those Wi-Fi connections that are offered at caravan parks. If you are using a dongle supplied by Telstra or BigPond your radio connection will be safe. You just need the usual virus safeguards that you use on a dial up or braodband connection.
G'day PeterD, thanks for clearing up the confusion re laptop wireless security, much appreciated. Ozi2
glassies said
06:35 PM Sep 24, 2010
not sure if it helps but i put webroot on my hubbies computer as he researches so much stuff
on motors, subarus,pumps you name it, and webroot won the australian award so i chose that ive only got the trial but since it won the award second time around now i will be buying the
full version when the 30 day trial is up, i use the free avg myself ,but webroot has spyware and
everything
I have used VET, which became CA ( computer associates) internet security suite until the past year when I gave up on them due to terrible service, increasing cost of their product and product itself not doing the job advertised.
For the past year I have used AVG free, Spybot and Malwarebytes anti malware combined with auto updates of microsoft. ( I also manually check everyday online as well; paranoia can be useful
At home I use an ethernet cable for online transactions and rest of time its wireless ( my modem factory default was changed to one of my choosing and I have to admit,if I hadnt readup on wireless laptops I would not have picked up on this and there are plenty of unsecured modems around me when I search for connection)
So, if I purchase prepaid wireless modem what do I need to ensure security is maintained, do these prepaid modems have security issues around hotspots etc.
Away from home I have no knowledge of the issues faced with wireless laptop.
Final comment for the moment is a tip that I found published by the Malaysian govt to its citizens to check that webpage visited is what you think it is: R click blank screen area and go to properties...it will confirm if you are on page you want. Quick, simple and effective.
Cheers everyone
Ozi
Since posting this morning I have contacted DSE (Dick Smith) and asked their tech's if prepaid broadband modem has any security feature's....they said no, just have good anti virus/spyware installed!!
Using wireless at home we can use either ethernet cable or wireless modem with WPA encryption to prevent loss of information, especially sensitive passwords etc, however as I understand it when using laptop with mobile wireless modem this is not so.
I would appreciate it if some of our computer savvy members can clarify this issue and any tips regarding hotspots etc and what to avoid. Better safe than sorry in this day and age.
Ozi2
I had a huge problem with my internet security suite in getting tech support. It went from a base here in Oz employing locals to an offshore site in India where it was next to impossible to "cut through" and size of files slowed computer down so much.
I now run AVG. Malware bytes etc and have had no problems to date. I'm of the opinion that you can never do too much checking with so much to lose on the internet, my first task daily before anything else is to check updates and run regular scans/defrags etc. Do you use IE, Firefox etc?
cheers
Ozi2
Prepaid modems generally operate over a mobile phone system. If you don't have any Blur Tooth systems switched on, your system is as secure as your mobile phone. I am posting this using one of the blue toasters on BigPond. I feel fully secure using it. I do my banking but will not near a bank connection if I am using one of those Wi-Fi connections that are offered at caravan parks. If you are using a dongle supplied by Telstra or BigPond your radio connection will be safe. You just need the usual virus safeguards that you use on a dial up or braodband connection.
Ozi2