Dave, if you want to see wireless in action and how it works let me know. I recently got a laptop that has wireless capabilities built in. Most or all of the new laptops out there are pre-built with wireless.

 

Danny, we can talk about this when we meet up next - maybe this weekend?

 

a good testing ground for your wireless card is your nearest Starbucks as they provide "free" WiFi access. Simply set your card to DHCP , may need to refresh it a few times and you should be good to go

 

I have a HP Pavillion ZD7140 - 17" widescreen
It has built in wireless - I just boot up the computer, it tells me there's a wireless network available and if I want to connect. Most hotels, airports, coffee shops have this these days, they're called "Hot Spots".

 

How secure is it?

 

its not.....

Windows XP SPII firewall offers some protection, but I don't keep anything valueable on my computer anyways.

 

03_AP1 is right that your computer is probably directly connected to the internet with nothing between you and the cruel internet world. Some type of software firewall is definitely required.

But, you also have to understand that the data you broadcast wirelessly is probably not encrypted at all either. A firewall will not fix this problem. Usually none of these services enable any kind of data protection like WEP. Anyone with a wireless packet sniffer could watch everything that you transmit in and out your wireless card (like sending/receiving email if you connect to a POP server or web e-mail that doesn't use SSL (HTTPS protocol)).

So, basically, you have to encrypt everything yourself that's important. Usually more sensitive applications are already encrypted. Any web page that uses HTTPS is safe and any time you establish a secure VPN connection through your wireless card to some destination is safe. But, be careful.

Chris.

 

yeah, what he said...

unless your transmitting sensitive material, I wouldn't be concerned about security. Stuff like internet banking or shopping is totally safe on wireless, because those sites already encrypt the data.

The only thing that concerns me about wireless is having a wireless router in my house (which I do). While its great being able to surf s2ki.com in bed, anyone can pull up to my house within 150m and use my account. Just keep an eye out for dudes parked across the street for any period of time

And one more point, if you have a 2.4Ghz cordless phone, get rid of it or unplug it, or else you'll lose your connection every time the phone rings. 802.11g runs on 2.4 gigs as well.

 

You can use WEP security and elimate (most) of the possibility of outsiders using your bandwidth...

 

I'm not worried about people seeing what I upload and download, but what about my data files on my HD; would they be secure, or would I need some kind of encryption?