Community Newsletter: Q&A: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi?
- 7/24/08 12:04 AM
Airport is great, with many uses...
by jigmeg - 7/18/08 7:26 PM In reply to: Mac laptop wi-fi by nomadd74nomad, if u have an imac u have airport built in, which is a powerful wi-fi networking system that allows u to connect wirelessly to other macs or pcs in ur vicinity or to a wifi network either via a router or hotspot. u should explore this more if you have more then one computer in the home, or u want to connect to the internet without having an ethernet cable plugged into ur imac. good luck!
macs in nepal
what...
by mjoyce91 - 7/18/08 7:19 PM In reply to: Very simple answer if you believe me. by rashidtemokay that would help you with viruses, but her concern is that the information being sent from her computer will be captured through the waves. she's wondering what things she should/shouldn't do to prevent some one from stealing important information and passwords. you cannot convince some one to buy a macbook solely based on the fact that she's going on vacation and she wants to be secure. would you spend $1200 on a padlock for a suitcase filled with jewelry when you could just decide not to bring the jewelry on vacation in the first place? i don't want to make this a mac vs. pc war, but your suggestion is just so stupid and you obviously put no thought into her situation that i have no choice.
I agree completely: a Mac with OSX can be the solutions!
by newbit - 7/18/08 7:28 PM In reply to: Very simple answer if you believe me. by rashidtemI had always bad experience with PC and also some trouble on the setting side: it is true that with a MacBook or any other Apple machine RUNNING MAC OSX (not Windows!!) you are ok with simple setting and bullet proof security!
Baloney
by bigbear639 - 7/18/08 8:06 PM In reply to: Very simple answer if you believe me. by rashidtemThe question was about WiFi Security, not about vulnerability to a Virus. A typical snobish answer from a Mac User.
ac's have less than 10% share of the Market. Closer to 3%. If and when it gets a much larger share you will see plenty of Mac Attacks.
boo hoo... mac snobs
by rurikbloodaxe - 7/19/08 5:01 AM In reply to: Baloney by bigbear639aww bigbear, can't afford a mac, so you go on the pc whiney attack?
just listen to Mac users who see their investment in a strong product a good ROI as opposed to buying cheap PC's and suffering.
Been using Mac's since 1985, and only suffered four or five serious computer attacks in 23 years.
My advice
by jazzi - 7/19/08 5:27 AM In reply to: boo hoo... mac snobs by rurikbloodaxe"PC whiney attack?" We aren't talking politics here, just how to connect to an insecure wireless network. We aren't doing anyone any favors by muddying up the waters with a Mac vs. PC argument.
I was always taught that anyone with a "sniffer" can steal data that is transmitted on an insecure connection. That would mean any password, credit card number, email or file transmitted.
The type of computer you own will not protect you once the data leaves your machine!
My advice: remain paranoid. Don't use an insecure network for anything except checking email. Change your password later after you do it when you are back on your secure connection.
For PC/Mac protection on ANY network: make sure your firewall and antivirus software are always up to date and USE THEM.
And don't forget: one of the major reasons for data loss and compromise is someone physically stealing your laptop! Make sure you carry a locking cable and use it to lock the laptop down in hotels, etc.
Do the world a favor....don't become a "mac snob".
by CRod67 - 7/19/08 5:55 AM In reply to: boo hoo... mac snobs by rurikbloodaxeANOTHER typical snobbish reply from mac user rurikblood! I've used both Mac & PC since 85 and have never suffered a computer attack on either one. Macs are supposed to be so superior yet you've suffered 5 attacks??? Interesting! The reason people like PC's more than Mac is because of the amount of applications available for PC that just aren't available for MAC. And that's the most important reason for any computer user whether you want to admit it or not. The ONLY reason somebody should purchase a mac over a pc would be for programs working with graphics, CAD engineering, etc. of which 9 out of 10 people don't use anyways in their everyday computing.
Buying a MAC is like buying a BMW. Most people buy them for the "status symbol" instead of a practical machine to make your life easier. The top 4 things that 99% of the general public use their computers for is internet, email, photos and music, so why pay for something that usually costs twice as much when you can purchase a PC that will do the exact same thing a MAC can do (and more) for half the price. If your PC is crashing on you or you're getting hacked, it's because you're a novice and have no clue what you're doing to begin with.
You MAC folks go right ahead and pay out the nose for your cute little apple....I'll keep using my pc while I laugh all the way to the bank.
Have a great day! 
My, my ...
by dperugini - 7/19/08 9:23 AM In reply to: Do the world a favor....don't become a "mac snob". by CRod67... a bit 'touchy' on the subject of Mac vs PC, are we?
That was a very nice rant, I must say, but you provided little (if any) substance to answer the original question.
And I will have a great day, thank you ...
My,my, my
by rondavis3 - 7/19/08 4:18 PM In reply to: My, my ... by dperuginiI have been using windows and IE since conception. Do the math. I have never been ruined. Have had attacks, and spyware. Anyone who has been using the internet from the early days has had them also. You just may not have known it.
mac snob? PC snob? who cares what someone else uses.
by pja4 - 7/19/08 4:40 PM In reply to: Do the world a favor....don't become a "mac snob". by CRod67It's funny how Mac people think the Mac is way better and PC people seem to always say they are the same. I've been using a Mac for years and personally I find it way better (and I have used Windows a lot). Sure there are a ton of programs out there for the PC but I'm not interested in the tons of software, most of it crap. I'm doing graphics and I have the programs I need. If you like your PC and it does all you need than that's fine but I'm willing to pay a little more (it's definitely not double the price for a Mac) for a system that I find much, much nicer to use. It's funny that your laughing at people for paying for something they like. Are you laughing all the way to the bank because someone is buying a more expensive car because they feel like it drives way better and is more comfortable? I think Apple really researches and comes up with really great interface ideas. Microsoft on the other hand just keeps adding features and really could care less about usability. Also, I've been using a Mac since they came out and I haven't had one single attack or virus. I'll continue to use my Mac that will do everything I need (and more) with what I find to be a much, much better interface. I could save a few bucks and get a PC next time but I'd rather pay a tiny bit more for nicer machine. If you're happy with your PC and that interface works for you then good for you.
boo hoo reply
by jwdunkel - 7/19/08 11:47 AM In reply to: boo hoo... mac snobs by rurikbloodaxeI have been using IBM compatibles for three decades WITHOUT a serious attack of any kind. If you take reasonable precautions, you won't have any problems. You may note that the attacks on Apple are increasing in frequency recently.
Most hackers attack IBM compatibles because it's worth their effort.
PCs since 80s with NO successful attacks. . .
by RobertWFrei - 7/19/08 1:29 PM In reply to: boo hoo... mac snobs by rurikbloodaxeI have been using PC clones (and one actual IBM PC) since their introduction, and have been on the net since before we called it "the internet" and have not suffered a single successful attack. It helps that I have used firewalls since before firewalls were commercially available (old PC with two network cards as an early firewall/proxy) and have maintained good practices. Even the hundreds of machines entrusted to my care - with all of the weaknesses engendered in DEU syndrome - have not experienced any attacks that caused outages or data loss.
I have used MAC - but they have usually been beyond the price range for general office machines. I have also had many UNIX and Linux systems and a few the younger group never even heard of (cp/m anyone?)
I consider most of the problem to be uneducated end users, so I have always concentrated much of my management efforts on user education. That almost never fails in the long run. DEU (dumb end user) syndrome is treatable . . .
POI
by Phil411 - 7/19/08 4:49 PM In reply to: boo hoo... mac snobs by rurikbloodaxeAttacks & Mac targeted viruses are few mainly because the Mac platform isn't widely used as the PC based system. Attacks on computers and IT infrastructure is aimed at getting the most information possible in the minimal amount of time. So with PC's current market share, a attack targeting PC systems would provide the greater chance of gaining valuable information. Why go after 50 when you can get 1000? But as the Mac gains popularity hackers will begin going after Macs in greater numbers.
I do agree that the Mac computer at present is somewhat better that PC depending on what your preference of what makes a computer great is.
Apple Laptop review
by BeezerBill - 7/19/08 6:14 AM In reply to: Very simple answer if you believe me. by rashidtemI agree with this poster. Even though I tried hard to maintain a safe PC environment by using all the latest spyware and anti-virus softwares, I became weary of having to NUKE my PC several times a year because of viruses , etc. I finally took the plunge and switched to Apple both with a laptop and my home base imac. It hasn't been an easy transition as it has been a whole new learning curve and I have had to forgo some of the programs I grew up using that aren't made for Mac's, BUT it has all been more than worth it!! The ease of operation, the security, and the level of customer support supplied by Apple FAR OUTWEIGHS anything I ever saw with PC's. Apple also makes it very easy to transfer all your important files over to your new imac / ibook. I don't want to escalate any wars but this was my experience and it has been great! My only suggestion is if you jump into Mac's, buy a good book like David Pogue's "Mac OS X" to help you along with learning the operating system. It was a huge help. Apple was a little vague with their literature, even though they have great phone support and support at all their Apple stores.
I agree-get apple or a mac
by Darrelray777 - 7/19/08 7:04 AM In reply to: Apple Laptop review by BeezerBillI work for an electronics company. My boss is a guiness when it comes to electical systems and computers. He uses a mac, and always tells us the flaws of Windows operating system (hence, all the patches)
Apple, Mac are a bit more expensive, are not as widely used, and are the safest on the planet-for now anyways. My boss said his mac has never crashed or given any problems and hes had it for 3 years.
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