Era Might Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 This is my first post with my new laptop. It has a 2GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, 250 GB hard drive, a built-in camera, wireless networking, and probably more stuff that I haven't discovered yet. It's really fast. I just have to figure out how to secure my network. How can I make sure that my computer is secure when I use a wireless Internet connection in a public place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachael Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 it makes my 3 year old laptop look like a weenie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 While I'm not actually online in public places, I simply turn off the antenna. Make sure your firewall is up to date. I never do things like online banking or use a credit card in public, and update and run your spybot/adaware/etc when you're at your next secure place. Don't overlook simple screen security. I have a film that goes over my screen so that only I can see it looking straight on. That way no one sitting next to you can glance over and low tech steal info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarus Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I have never had an issue with that (that I know of). And I've used a lot of public signals. I have good up-to-date virus software; currently, I'm using Microsoft One Care; I got the subscription through my Internet provider. I've used other similar programs in the past. My fiance has McAfee and I absolutely HATE it because of the constant pop-ups "reminding" him about updates. There are ALWAYS pop-ups, multiple times a day. I just got a new laptop today too ... I am getting software for it tomorrow. I mainly wanted it because my current one is older and needs some warranty maintenance, and I am in mortal fear that it will crash when I most need it. I went a little cheaper and got an extra monitor for my desk, so now when I am home I have an extended desktop which is AWESOME and makes me feel like I am at command central. Have fun with your new one! Yay for fun new technology! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommas_boy Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 [quote name='Era Might' post='1637083' date='Aug 24 2008, 09:33 PM']This is my first post with my new laptop. It has a 2GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, 250 GB hard drive, a built-in camera, wireless networking, and probably more stuff that I haven't discovered yet. It's really fast. I just have to figure out how to secure my network. How can I make sure that my computer is secure when I use a wireless Internet connection in a public place? [/quote] Unless that connection is encrypted, nothing. Mostly, though, your only fear is that someone could be listening in. Most sensitive areas (email, places where your credit card or password is entered, etc) are encrypted anymore between your computer and the website itself, though, so it's not really an issue. By that I mean: You <---> Router <---> Website If the connection between you and the website is encrypted, that includes the connection between you and the router, because it has to go through the router. Since this is most websites that use sensitive info, you're not too bad off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doe-jo Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 congrats on your laptop.. i got mine a couple of weeks ago.. built in camera, wifi, 3 gig ram, 320 gig hard drive... i dont like the vista though but whatever.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prose Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 (edited) We just bought: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo 3072MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (1-1024MB & 1-2048 MB module) 250GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive w/ 8MB cache2 17.0" Ultrabright TFT Active Matrix (1440 x 900 - 1920 x 1200 max. resolution) FX Design with Copper Core Accent Intel® PM965 Chipset and NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 8800GTS with 512MB of GDDR3 discrete video 8x Multi-Format Dual Layer DVDRW with DVD-RAM featuring Labelflash™ Technology3<br> Integrated 1.3 Megapixel Web Cam IT is cooool.... It's a Gateway FX laptop. This is it: [url="http://www.thetechstop.net/?page_id=921"]http://www.thetechstop.net/?page_id=921[/url] The review video is actually done by a priest! Edited August 25, 2008 by prose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groo the Wanderer Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 [img]http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/funny-pictures-your-cat-has-built-a-bff.jpg[/img] Best use for your new laptop ^^^ lolcatz rulez! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balthazor Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 [quote name='Groo the Wanderer' post='1637830' date='Aug 25 2008, 03:42 PM'][img]http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/funny-pictures-your-cat-has-built-a-bff.jpg[/img] Best use for your new laptop ^^^ lolcatz rulez![/quote] Groo.... you are addicted to that website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zabbazooey Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I recently got a new laptop as well! Yay for new toys! [url="http://review.zdnet.com/laptops/hp-compaq-cq50-115nr/4505-3121_16-33088550.html"]http://review.zdnet.com/laptops/hp-compaq-...6-33088550.html[/url] It's a Compaq CQ50-115NR laptop. 3 GB RAM 120 GB Hard Drive, Wireless, etc. The battery life stinks, but for $450 it's really SWEET!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groo the Wanderer Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 yeah... don't hate da kittahs! LORF! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I got a laptop 2 months ago. Flashy laptops drive me crazy (with lots of lights or those that are shiny and leave fingerprints. We opted for a Dell Inspiron 1526. 3GB Ram, AMD64x2, 120 GB HD. We don't use it for games though, so it is perfect for our needs. It was $599 @ BB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffpugh Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I gots a new lappy for school a few weeks ago It's an MSI PR600 [url="http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1203&maincat_no=135"]http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=pr...;maincat_no=135[/url] It doesn't recognise my built in webcam, though... so I gotta figure that out. Oh well. It's nice. Just what I need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icelandic_iceskater Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I use a mac from 1997. Its upgraded to OS X 10.2.8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChildForever Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I finally got around to fixing my favorite laptop. The other one can rot itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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