Wi-Fi - what is it, do I need it, how do I get it? - Techwatch: Satellite TV forums, FTA, Cable, Hardware, & Tech forums

Thumperfive · 26-04-06, 03:50 PM

I got a coupon from my McDonald's manager about a free hour on their WiFi network but I'm nervous about opening up my laptop and hooking up - is it going to make me vulnerable to viruses and the like?

what do I need, anyway? I have a card already installed, but... should I be worried about my OS not being up to snuff due to updates and all that?

brian · 27-04-06, 09:10 AM

If you're simply making a Wi-Fi connection, and it is secure, then you should be fine - I'm presuming here it's like Tiscali hotspots.

Just wireless connectivity on your laptop, but you may want to inquire about suitability if you're on d rather than g.

Nicole2112 · 27-04-06, 10:13 AM

d? I've only ever seen 802.11b and 802.11g. I've heard tell of another letter coming down the pike that will use a transfer method more like the bittorrent system, but my source was unsure as to whether he'd read a real press release or an April Fool's joke.

If you're worried about viruses, you can get decent free virus protection (AVG) and firewall software (ZoneAlarm).

The one thing you probably should avoid is doing anything with money while on some random un-encrypted wi-fi network. If you don't have to enter a password in your computer's wireless network application to connect, it's not encrypted, and that means that anyone else connected to the network can possibly snoop out your data transfers, including credit card numbers and passwords.

Then again, I've heard some say that it's relatively trivial to do that on WEP'ed (encrypted) wireless networks, too--but there's only so paranoid I can get when my home network is WEP'd wi-fi. I have to do stuff somewhere.

There's no real need, if you're in a fairly large town, to buy wi-fi time. You can probably find free wi-fi if you walk a block. I just discovered a new one in downtown Denver--the new Riverfront Park housing area has installed a network free to all residents, and you can pick it up while you're waiting for a bus or a train at Union Station. That's some strong signal!

seeemilywrite · 28-04-06, 09:49 AM

I wouldnt be concerned about connecting your computer. i wouldn't so important business from the McDonalds, in general. For general web surfing though, have at it.

brian · 28-04-06, 11:55 AM

No problem Nicole - I think I could my letters mixed up.

26-04-06, 03:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Thumperfive Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wi-Fi - what is it, do I need it, how do I get it? I got a coupon from my McDonald's manager about a free hour on their WiFi network but I'm nervous about opening up my laptop and hooking up - is it going to make me vulnerable to viruses and the like? what do I need, anyway? I have a card already installed, but... should I be worried about my OS not being up to snuff due to updates and all that?

27-04-06, 09:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
brian Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inverness, Scotland Posts: 1,866 Thanks: 32 Thanked 176 Times in 80 Posts	Re: Wi-Fi - what is it, do I need it, how do I get it? If you're simply making a Wi-Fi connection, and it is secure, then you should be fine - I'm presuming here it's like Tiscali hotspots. Just wireless connectivity on your laptop, but you may want to inquire about suitability if you're on d rather than g.

27-04-06, 10:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
Nicole2112 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Wi-Fi - what is it, do I need it, how do I get it? d? I've only ever seen 802.11b and 802.11g. I've heard tell of another letter coming down the pike that will use a transfer method more like the bittorrent system, but my source was unsure as to whether he'd read a real press release or an April Fool's joke. If you're worried about viruses, you can get decent free virus protection (AVG) and firewall software (ZoneAlarm). The one thing you probably should avoid is doing anything with money while on some random un-encrypted wi-fi network. If you don't have to enter a password in your computer's wireless network application to connect, it's not encrypted, and that means that anyone else connected to the network can possibly snoop out your data transfers, including credit card numbers and passwords. Then again, I've heard some say that it's relatively trivial to do that on WEP'ed (encrypted) wireless networks, too--but there's only so paranoid I can get when my home network is WEP'd wi-fi. I have to do stuff somewhere. There's no real need, if you're in a fairly large town, to buy wi-fi time. You can probably find free wi-fi if you walk a block. I just discovered a new one in downtown Denver--the new Riverfront Park housing area has installed a network free to all residents, and you can pick it up while you're waiting for a bus or a train at Union Station. That's some strong signal! __________________ pause : rewind : replay

28-04-06, 09:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
seeemilywrite Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 55 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Wi-Fi - what is it, do I need it, how do I get it? I wouldnt be concerned about connecting your computer. i wouldn't so important business from the McDonalds, in general. For general web surfing though, have at it.

28-04-06, 11:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
brian Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inverness, Scotland Posts: 1,866 Thanks: 32 Thanked 176 Times in 80 Posts	Re: Wi-Fi - what is it, do I need it, how do I get it? No problem Nicole - I think I could my letters mixed up.


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