Community Newsletter: Q&A: 4/14/06 Advice needed on using Wi-Fi access in public
- 4/13/06 4:18 PM
4/14/06 Advice needed on using Wi-Fi access in public
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 4/13/06 4:18 PM
Question:
I will be traveling to a conference in a month, and the hotel that I am staying at has wireless Internet access. My new computer has the capability to access it, but I haven't had the chance to try it out. What should I expect and what do I need to do to be online while there? Additionally are there any do's or don'ts that I should be aware of? I am running a Dell Inspiron 9300 with Windows XP. Thank you!
Submitted by: Dawn C. of Arizona
*******************************************************
Answer:
Wireless Internet access, or Wi-Fi, is something that 10 to 15 years ago, we probably wouldn't have thought would be a reality, and we probably would not have imagined the ways we'd use it. Now those of us who have gone Wi-Fi can't imagine living with out it. Many restaurants, coffee shops, truck stops, and hotels, and even some entire cities, have gone Wi-Fi in efforts to attract customers. And it works; I'm more likely to stay at a hotel that has free Internet access if I have a choice. However, some hotels charge for access, so your computer recognizes a connection but won't process it until you pay up.
Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity, but it is simply a network without wires. Its speed is typically somewhere between dial up and broadband, and it has two standards, 802.11.b, which transmits at rates up to 11 mb/second and 802.11.g, which transmits at 54 mb/s; Wireless b and g for short. Those rates are peak rates, so things like distance from the signal, walls and physical barriers, and the number of users at a given time, can slow it down a bit more. The good news is that wireless b and g are compatible, so if your laptop is wireless g and the hotel only has wireless b, you'll still get a signal; it will just be at the wireless b speed.
Almost all new laptops, like your Dell, come equipped with Wi-Fi, meaning that they have all the hardware and software you need to wirelessly connect to the internet straight out of the box. And most older laptops still in use have bays that you can slide networking cards into to go wi-fi. If your computer is Wi-Fi enabled, all you have to do is make sure the Wi-Fi is turned on (usually there is a button on the computer somewhere for this), and if your computer doesn't automatically detect and connect to the network, just open the wireless network setup from your quicklaunch buttons and go through its setup: search for existing wireless networks and then connect to one.
Safety can be a concern. The slower the connection, the less encryption there is. An experience hacker can break the encryption on a wireless b connection in a matter of minutes. Wireless g is more secure, but still not perfect. The upside is that in order to be hacked, a hacker has to be near you, and has to target you specifically, both of which are unlikely. Also, most banking and shopping websites use an additional layer of encoding called Secure Socket Layer, or SSL for short, which encodes the information so that only the user and the website can see it. Websites that use SSL start with an 'https' instead of 'http,' which sends your computer a specific encryption key so your data cannot be hacked. The dashboard on your web browser will also display a lock symbol to indicate that you are on a secure website, and you can even have popup windows alert you when you enter or leave a secure site. If you plan on using your computer a lot remotely, do not check the "do not show this warning again" box, as this will continue to give you alerts as to when your web browser is on secure pages.
Your company might also use a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, which uses remote internet connections to securely connect you to your company's network. You can also install firewalls on your computer to keep people from hacking into your machine. But the most secure thing to do is to turn your internet connection off when not in use. Most laptops have some sort of Wi-Fi button that will toggle your connection on or off. Not only will this protect your computer, it also saves battery power.
One of the trickiest security threats is what's called an "evil twin." Evil twins are when a hacker sets up a computer to act like a wireless access point, and gets you to enter in personal data (an evil twin might impersonate a paypal or citibank website and ask for your login info). You can avoid these security issues by 1, using the https web pages, 2, payng attention to your popup windows that tell you when you're sending unencrypted information, 3, using a VPN if your employer has one for you, 4, making sure that a link has not redirected you to an unrelated address that looks the same as your bank's page, and 5, simply avoid doing your banking, bill paying, or ebay purchases unless you are at home and know the connection is secure.
Buying extra software or demanding your employer set you up with a VPN may seem like a bit much, and maybe it is, but only you know how safe you need to make your computer. The good news is that if this is a business expense, you might be able to get your employer to refund you things like connection fees (if the hotel doesn't have free Wi-Fi) and security software. You could at least deduct them from your taxes. Enjoy the new world of Wi-Fi, but play it safe!
Submitted by: Jeremy S.
Honorable mentions
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 4/13/06 12:52 PM
In reply to: 4/14/06 Advice needed on using Wi-Fi access in public by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Answer:
I have stayed at several hotels with wireless internet access. In my experience, setting up a connection should be quick and painless. When you check in, first ask the desk if there are any charges that you should know about. Some hotels will charge a separate fee for internet access, but in my experience most don’t. The signal should also be strong enough to cover most of the hotel, but ask about this as well. Wi-fi will only go so far and some hotels are not completely covered. Make sure that the desk books you into a room within the coverage area if this is important to you.
When you check into your room, or even in the hotel lobby, boot up your laptop and bring up your browser of choice. Make sure that your wireless is enabled. In my experience, the hotel will serve you a page with a policy statement asking you to agree. Some of these are time sensitive, meaning that each day or two your policy agreement will run out and you will have to agree again. It isn’t a big deal.
Once you have agreed to the policy statement, you should be able to navigate freely. The policies are mostly standard, as in you won’t use the hotel connection for business purposes (meaning you won’t use it to make money) and you agree not to run a web server on the connection.
Hotel wireless technology is not completely flawless. At one hotel, I spent the better part of an afternoon wrestling with a connection stability problem. I finally went down to the desk and asked them if the problem could be on their end. After resetting the router, everything worked fine.
I have only stayed in one hotel where the wireless did not work. That is to say, there was a router, and I could connect to the router, but the connection led nowhere. The hotel didn’t care about the problem, and apparently Comcast didn’t care about the problem (I called for the hotel). I finally got the hotel to assign me to a downstairs handicap room which had a hard wired internet connection.
Submitted by: Eric M.
***********************************************************************
Answer:
When the hotel I often use added high-speed wireless internet access for guests, I couldn't wait to try it out with my own Inspiron 9300. Alas! My computer told me it detected a network available in range, but for the life of me I could not connect. I finally went to the front desk to ask for help and learned I needed a password; otherwise anyone with a wireless laptop could sit in the parking lot and get free access. I felt pretty sheepish because I should have figured that out for myself. But, once I returned to my room with my password I was on-line in a flash. And, boy was it fast compared to telephone modem dial-up! In fact, when I got home I ordered DSL.
As for dos and don'ts, I do what I do anywhere else. All firewalls, virus protectors, spam filters, and other internet security devices are installed, up-to-date, and active. I always keep in mind that if I am on an unsecure network, I want to be protected not only from what may come to my computer from the internet, but also from someone snooping into my computer locally. Someone else can better answer how this works and how damaging it can be; I only know that when the signals are flying around through the air, there may be someone who is able to snag them and do something with them, and that person is not my friend! Keep your computer protected no matter what your means of connection is. Good luck!
Submitted by: Scott M.
***********************************************************************
Answer:
A few suggestions for Dawn:
1) When you check in, ask the front desk what you have to do to use their wireless network. Most probably they will give you a paper with a username and/or password for you to login to their wireless network. Make sure to ask what is the name of the network the hotel uses (in case there is more than one network available, which is possible).
2) When you get to your room (assuming you have the wireless network feature turned on in your computer), go to "Control Panel"->"Network Connections" and with a right-click, choose "View Wireless Networks". A window will appear with a list of available networks.
Select the network that the hotel uses and click "Connect". Your computer should connect to the network.
3) Now, open your Internet Browser. Unless you have the "blank" page as your Home page, it most probably will access a page which will ask for the information that the front desk gave you (username/password).
Fill out the information, send it and you are ready to surf the Internet, read emails, etc.
Observation: It may happen that, by some reason, you have a problem connecting to the network. Then I suggest you call the front desk and ask for information about support for the wireless connection. They will probably either connect you to someone or give you a phone number for you to call for help. But I don't think you will have any problems.
Now, some tips:
1) I would suggest not using sensitive information while using this wireless connection (such as confidential information, accessing bank accounts, sending emails with important information, etc.). You never know what can happen.
2) If you are staying for more than a day (or night) at the hotel, make sure that the front desk gives you a password that you will be able to use for the whole time. Some hotels have passwords that expire in a certain number of days.
3) You might have to repeat this process every time you login to your computer. Save the password information very carefully.
Hope you have a fun trip!
Submitted by: Maria O.
***********************************************************************
Answer:
I have a 9300 Dell with Intel PROSet/Wireless 802.11a/g installed. On the assumption that you have the same wireless installed it should be a simple matter of;
1. Double click the icon that should be near the clock which will open the wireless window.
2. Click on the box drop-down on the bottom left of the window that allows "Enable Radio". That should start searching for "Profiles".
3. When it gets through searching, the available profile/s will show in the window with the name of the profile and the network name. It should show the "Available Network/s" in the second window down.
4. Highlight the "Network Name" and click on the "Configure" tab. (If no "Available Network/s" shows in the second window down, click on the "Refresh" tab.)
5. After clicking on the "Configure" tab a window will open that allows you to choose to "Connect" or "Configure". You will probably have to click on the "Configure" tab and then follow the instructions given to you by the hotel, usually your room # plus a password.
You should only have to do this once and the next time you boot up it will show that "Available Network" automatically.
If you don't want to be "on-line" for security reasons, you can go back to step 1. above and "Disable Radio" and again "Enable Radio" to reconnect.
I hope this is correct for your computer and helps, it has been a long time since I have had to do this.
Submitted by: Mike F.
***********************************************************************
Answer:
Regarding traveling out of town and using a new computer to access wireless internet; I'm only a modestly experienced non-geek user but I have discovered two things:
1) Once you know how to access a wireless service on your computer, hotel services are self-explanatory, in my experience by connecting you automatically to a screen that leads you through it and collects your money if there's an additional charge: the key words are "once you know how". I urge you to follow the old seasoned traveler's advice; always make sure something works before counting on it on a trip. I only ignored this advice once, and regretted my rash action for a week in Bermuda. Try the wireless at a Starbucks or some other wi-fi access and enjoy a latte while you learn your computer.
2) Most internet access services will not let you send emails through them unless you are connected directly to them (a spam prevention), so you will be able to receive emails at the hotel but will have to get tech assistance from the hotel service to enable you to send emails.
Good luck. Sorry I can't help you with the Dell specifically; I'm a Mac man...
Submitted by: Phil T. of Princeton, NJ
***********************************************************************
Answer:
Dawn,
Testing first is a good idea. Your sig says you are in Arizona. Presuming you are in the Phoenix area, go catch lunch at a Schlotzsky's Deli. They have free wireless access. You should be able to connect up on it, and gain some public hot spot experience (for the rest of you, there are several web sites that list places with free wireless).
As far as what you should expect? It kind of varies, but in general, once connected, you should be able to operate just as if you were connected at home. Usually the hotel has a initial log in site where you are required to accept some terms and conditions. Sometimes you must sign up and accept a charge to your room, which (if the wireless is free to you) is reversed at check out. Your best bet of course is to ask the desk agent about it when checking in. Usually they have been asked a few thousand times, and are pretty good at answering questions.
As for any do's or don'ts? Honestly, I’d just say use your common sense, but I have used Hotel wireless in several Far East countries (including China), and never had any issues.
Just be aware of one important thing – Once you have experienced being un-tethered, there is NO GOING BACK!!! You will join us addicts!
Enjoy.
Submitted by: Rick M.
Wow! Several good tips in here. esp Mike F and Phil T
by Cadillac84 - 4/14/06 7:50 AM In reply to: Honorable mentions by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Mike has a Dell like yours (as do I). Take a look at your keyboard and see the blue-labeled key Fn at the lower left. Hold that key and tap the function key F2 a time or two (waiting between taps) and watch what happens. If you are playing solitaire or writing a report that doesn't require you to be connected, it is a good idea to turn off the wireless. You'll see the blue light turn off and a huge icon will momentarily appear at the SysTray (lower right where time and date usually is displayed along with other icons) showing that the wireless signal is off. I'd describe the icon, but there's no need; you'll instantly know what it means -- and it will shrink to normal size in a few seconds.
Phil T suggested you drive by Schlotsky's or some other place that has free Wi-Fi before leaving on your trip. That is a great idea because it will give you good chance to experience the ups and downs of wireless before you find yourself at 1 a.m. in the hotel and the person on duty doesn't know how to help you.
I have another suggestion. Go to Wal-Mart or your favorite computer supply place and get a twenty foot (or thereabouts) CAT-5 Ethernet cable. Just get a good one, you don't need the ''gold'' one. Put the cable in your suitcase in case you wish you had it. Many newer hotels have wired Internet connections to each room and ALSO offer wireless. Given the choice, you should open the package, remove the CAT-5 cable and use the wired connection. It will be faster and much more secure.
I usually find taking a small alligator or a puppy along is good for opening those blister packs they put the cables in; you might want to do that before you leave.
If you are using the wired connection, toggle your wireless off (Fn + F2) for two reasons: first and foremost to keep your computer from being confused about which connection to use; secondly, for security to keep anyone from ''seeing'' your computer. Third reason is to extend battery life if you are on battery. I keep my wireless off all the time except when I need it because it is so quickly available via the Fn + F2 toggle.
Don't forget to take your a.c. power adapter for the Dell and a three-wire ''cube tap'' is handy. Many hotels fill up all the electric receptacles with lamps, TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee pots, clock radios, and I can never find a place to plug something in except in the bathroom and I just hate sitting on the toilet while I surf the Internet. 
If you share files and folders in your normal environment (home and/or work), I'd recommend you NOT do that while using wireless. It is pretty easy to turn that off (I think) by opening Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer) and click on Tools, select Folder Options, click the View tab, pull the slide down so you can see the last item on the list ''Use simple file sharing'' -- unchecking that box should do it.
You'll mostly find your 9300 Inspiron will work the wireless stuff without a hitch. Have a great trip; happy surfing.
correction about sharing thanks to R.F.S. of Naples
by Cadillac84 - 4/14/06 7:56 AM In reply to: Wow! Several good tips in here. esp Mike F and Phil T by Cadillac84I told you wrong about sharing. To make sure your drive(s) is not shared, go to My Computer, right-click on the C: drive (and others if any) and select Properties. Click the Sharing tab and make sure the drive is not being shared. If you normally do share the drive, you can change it back when you get home.
R.F.S. suggests doing this before you leave home. That will ensure you are not already sharing the drive at the hotel before you make the change.
Hardware Firewall For Mobile Wireless
by klamathcraig - 4/14/06 9:04 AM In reply to: Wow! Several good tips in here. esp Mike F and Phil T by Cadillac84I'm feeling a whole lot safer about my wireless connections on the road since I purchased my Kensington Personal Firewall. This device looks just like any other USB flash drive but its sole purpose is to give your notebook bidirectional firewall protection. It protects your identity and data in all wireless environments and it will not interfere with corporate firewalls or anti-virus software. It is a breeze to use and well worth the $49 I paid for it.
I've read ...
by EmiLee69 - 4/14/06 10:41 AM In reply to: Hardware Firewall For Mobile Wireless by klamathcraig... that this is actually a software firewall on the USB jump drive. Since I already have firewall, antivirus, and antispyware software installed on my laptop, I'm assuming this wouldn't be any extra protection?
I believe there is one actual hardware firewall available for traveling with laptops, but as I recall it's pretty spendy and not as small and convenient as a USB jump drive either. Sorry, I don't remember the name, but maybe someone else will.
Unsecured environment
by kcwester - 4/14/06 9:31 AM In reply to: Honorable mentions by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Something I do is bring a portable router with me. I shopped and bought it on sale for $20 after rebates. This way I can plug into the ethernet wire and set up my own wireless network with security. Keep in mind this only works if they have a ethernet cable in your room--Starbucks it won't work at as you don't have access to cables. My husband and I both enjoy wireless at the same location using this method.
Cheryl
Cool idea!!
by Cadillac84 - 4/14/06 10:18 AM In reply to: Unsecured environment by kcwesterNow, go to the setup page and change the SSID to not broadcast. That way, people in the hotel won't ''see'' your router and try to hack into it.
Remember, even WEP can be cracked in less than three minutes by an expert.
My son taught me a few tricks when I visited his ''wireless'' home recently. He does not broadcast the SSID, so you have to KNOW the name of the network and know that it is present in order to connect. He also does not use the default host IP of 192.168.0.1 so in order to connect, one must visit the properties tab and set up the host IP etc. You have to do this only once for your computer and once for your husband's and then you two will be just about invisible and very few systems will look for a host IP that doesn't end with ''1''
I think I'll start packing a router with my gear. Last time I visited a hotel that had wireless, the guy had set the thing up himself and he had two wireless routers and two wireless access points all using the same host IP. You couldn't tell which one you were connecting to and he had the WEP keys all fouled up because he couldn't change them since when he accessed one of the access points to change the WEP key, he had no way of knowing which access point he was addressing.
I finally got an Ethernet cable out and connected to the hardwired connection he had graciously provided in each room. But that meant I had to sit on a hard chair on the wrong side of the room from where I wanted to be. Next time, I'll follow your advice and use my own wireless network.
LOL
SSID not broadcasted
by slam5 - 4/20/06 5:09 PM In reply to: Cool idea!! by Cadillac84Hmmm.. Not broadcasting you SSID isn't much of a security at all. A hacker with software like Kismet or Snort will sniff your SSID in 30 sec. What you need is to enable the wpa-tkip encryption on both your router and wireless card and then you will not likely be hacked. Of course, if NSA wants to hack you, there is nothing you can do.
Great Idea, but I have a question ...
by EmiLee69 - 4/14/06 10:51 AM In reply to: Unsecured environment by kcwesterI've thought of doing this, as well. However, I was wondering how accessible others have found a direct ethernet connection to be in their travels? I'm assuming that's rarely, if ever, an option at the many free WiFi locations popping up in various coffee shops, etc.
A client has made available to our family his beach house several times a year. The problem is that I need to be able to send files to clients and receive files from them. The house has no internet connection and is fairly isolated. I did locate a coffee shop about 20-25 miles away which advertises free WiFi. I'd love to be able to go there once a day, enjoy a cup of coffee, and send and receive email in order to exchange the files I was talking about. These files do contain personal information (i.e., SSN, etc.), so I'm concerned about transmitting this information via an unsecured WiFi. Thus, my question about whether others have found that coffee shops and other locations typically have ethernet connections available, as well as the wireless? (I'm guessing not.)
Also, does anyone have any suggestions how best to secure the information using the WiFi connection? (My clients are not very receptive to the idea of using any kind of encryption which requires tham to install software, purchase or install a key, etc. I don't mind doing some work on my end, but it's hard/impossible to get them to do anything themselves.)
probably not
by Cadillac84 - 4/24/06 7:26 AM In reply to: Great Idea, but I have a question ... by EmiLee69You can't use any kind of encryption just because YOU want to. The wireless router has to understand the encryption, so it would have to be agreed upon in advance and set up to work for you and for it.
The coffee shop is not going to do that because their whole purpose is to make the system open -- un-secure, if you will.
Even a hard-wired connection at a hotel or similar place COULD be snooped.
I'm not sure what I'd do in your situation. Maybe just enjoy the vacation and handle as much as possible by telephone. Dialup connections are still possible.
Always encrypt sensitive e-mail
by barbiemr - 6/24/06 7:58 AM In reply to: Great Idea, but I have a question ... by EmiLee69Wireless encryption WEP or otherwise only applies to the wireless link; the traffic is usually not encrypted on the wired link unless you are using SSL or a VPN connection. E-mail is usually completely unsecured so anyone with access to the mailservers that the message passes through can read it. My advice would be to always encrypt sensitive email and require your clients to install the necessary decryption software. It is after all their info we are talking about. PGP (pretty good privacy) is secure (almost - anything can be cracked with enough effort!) and free.
Other advice from our members
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 4/13/06 1:11 PM
In reply to: 4/14/06 Advice needed on using Wi-Fi access in public by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Answer:
All that you need to do in order to access the internet wireless access at your hotel is:
1. Be sure that the wireless antenna switch is in the ON position at your PC.
2. Check that your PC has enabled the wireless capability (My Network Places/View Network Connections/Wireless Network Connection must be enabled). If it disabled, click your mouse right button on the icon and choose Enable.
3. Then, click again your mouse right button on the Wireles Network Connection icon and choose View Available Wireless Networks.
4. A small window will be displayed showing you all the available wireless networks in the range of your PC, simply choose any Unsecured wireless network available with a good signal strength.
5. If any unsecured wireless network is available, you must ask for assistance to the frontdesk, in order to get a an user and password to access their secured wireless network (it's possible that you have to pay in order to access that service).
Regards.
Submitted by: Jorge A.
***********************************************************************
Answer:
Your notebook should detect the hotels wireless network automatically. Once you connect, the same rules apply for any internet connection. This is to make sure your computer has updated and appropriate software for protection. Check with your IT support group to answer the particulars about security and your ability to connect at the hotel. Needing to obtain information and staying in touch is key on the road but company security is then your responsibility. Your IT department would normally be administering this process but they can't be effective without the staff they support being knowledgeable and aware. Some companies also have a policy that does not allow the computer user to use their laptop in an open environment and most hotels have this type of open wireless service. This means the hotel network is much less secure than a wireless network in your office. So, protecting company information and computers is really everyone's responsibility. Working together with those in your company who's job it is to maintain and secure company information will allow you to do your job and minimize exposure on the road.
Submitted by: Anonymous
***********************************************************************
Answer:
According to what I have heard and read, the major pitfall to be aware of seems to be that wireless is like having an open line to the world, in the sense that it is easier for others to "eavesdrop."
Also be very careful about leaving tracks behind. Just as in a library or Internet cafe or you need to erase your tracks, after using your laptop in a hotel or any other public place, clear your browser cache and all temporary files right away [IE, Tools/internet Options/ Delete Cookies/ Delete Temporary Files].
And perhaps avoid accessing your bank account or other really sensitive sites away from home in insecure circumstances.
Happy surfing!
Submitted by: Riversong33
***********************************************************************
Answer:
Using a hotel's wireless (WiFi) connection is easy. BEFORE you start your trip, go to My Computer, right click on the hard drive and choose "Properties". Select the tab "Sharing." Unshare this drive.
At the check-in desk, inquire if there is a password required to access the Internet. If there is, the clerk will give you a piece of paper with instructions.
In your room. The little icon at the lower right corner of your screen will flash, informing you that there is a connection available. Click on it, choose the available network, and click on it to connect. If the hotel has printed instructions, follow them.
Submitted by: R. F. S. of Naples, FL
***********************************************************************
Answer:
Depending on the hotel a Cat5e cable may or may not be provided in the room.
This is the cable that connects you to high speed access. If not you can buy one at about 10 dollars for 6 feet, although prices largely vary. That is all the hardware you will need. The rest is just software and options on your computer. You will probably need to enable your high speed port, which you can do by going to Network and Internet Connections and then Network Connections, and just right click on the Local Area Connection and it should come up in your options. That may or may not be necessary, sometimes computers will do all of this entirely automatically, especially if you have XP. Secondly I recommend you have a good firewall/spamware/adware kind of program on your computer, if you want bare essentials just make sure you have a firewall. Granted there probably won't be too many people trying to hack into your computer over the network, but you can never be too safe since almost all hotel networks are open source networks and as such people have access to about anything on anyone who has an open non firewalled computer. Believe me I've done it before. That should do it for you, after all those little options are complete all you should need to do is double click on your IE icon and begin browsing.
Submitted by: Phil S.
***********************************************************************
Answer:
Do's: first of all make sure you have a firewall installed. If not then turn windows firewall setting on or download zone alarm. It's free for the basic.
Do check for a fee. Most hotels offer free wireless access to the internet; but, there are some hotel chains that charge a fee up to us $10.00 dollars per day.
Don'ts: don't snoop into other laptops. Don't download illegally (programs, video or music). Don't accept connections to people you don't know. Last turnoff your laptop when not in use.
Submitted by: Pete M.
***********************************************************************
Answer:
That one is very simple as I have used the wireless net many times at different hotels. When you check in tell them you have a wireless capable laptop and they will give you the password and a very short and easy setup. I assure it is simple. One thing though, if you stay longer than a week you will have to ask for the password weekly as they change it every week sometimes sooner. Again, I assure you it is a simple process.
Have a great trip and happy computing
Submitted by: Alan R.
***********************************************************************
Answer:
If your hotel is as good as it should be they will have a techie on the staff......ring the hotel to book the techie. Watch the techie he/she will tell you all about it and teach you. Enjoy your stay.
Submitted by: Allan D. of Basingstoke, UK
***********************************************************************
Answer:
I'm sure other more technical replies will include this. Make sure you fully understand what the hotel charges for your connection. If you don't, at the end of your stay you may be unpleasantly surprised by a very large bill.
Submitted by: MeN2Kittys
Wireless internet
by Jude526 - 4/14/06 9:48 AM In reply to: Other advice from our members by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I got rid of my dial-up. Have Verizon's PC card and I can access ANYWHERE and not have to pay for WIFI connections. I love it. Would not be without it.
PC Modem Card
by KailuaKona - 4/17/06 7:30 PM In reply to: Wireless internet by Jude526I have read all the postings regarding WIFI secured and unsecured etc. So what is the bottom line on these PC Modem cards by Verizon and Cingular? Are they safer than WiFi? I need wireless internet to access my virtural terminal for Merchant charge cards. I do trade shows outdoors and there is no electricity much of the time; also no way to access phone lines. When a client wants to purchase something I have to be able to access the Internet. I planned to buy a PC modem card and subscribe to the Cingular or Verizon service. They both claim this is safe. I would also be checking email using an AOL account, Is this encrypted or is my password subject to hacking easily. All the above assuming I have Firewall and Virus protection up to date using Win XP.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
