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Computer Protection On The Road
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Very informative, Hal.
I'll be interested in reading your update when you move to a traveling Mac later this year.
Thanks Mari. In fact, I just got the Mac, and I'm setting it up for road travel. I plan on a follow-up with more about public WiFi regarding where to find it.
This is quite possibly the most informative post I've read yet. My BIL suggested WWAN as I was doing laptop research (haven't pulled the trigger yet). I had NO IDEA that public WIFI was a breeding ground for STDs. Great analogy. Plus I had no idea about Internet explorer v. Firefox – I think I'll switch to Google Chrome today. Thanks so much.
Of course public WiFi is an open network. That means anyone with a modicum of network savvy can access your computer (it is part of the network). Therein lies the rub, er problem.
Thanks for the comment Missy
“Don't open a site you won't show your mother'!!!!!!
What an excellent way of suggesting. Powerful. Its extreme powerful and I salute!
And a good workaround you mention here 'To use VPN'
I'll be waiting for you coming post on this think. Hope you'll certainly write more about VPN.
Thank you Suresh. A follow-up, more detail about VPNs I hope to do soon.
Hal,
I found great information in this post. I'm a PC users but I've had fewer problems since I downloaded Google Chrome. But at my day job we are wedded to IE because we use Oracle for order processing and there's no work-around. When I'm traveling for work, I need to use the VPN anyway to get into our systems. I have a question about the WWAN, do you know if T-Mobil has the service? A friend of mine was asking me about this the other day and I wasn't sure.
It's interesting how 2 or 3 years ago you had to pay for internet access in hotels, but now it seems that every where you stay has free WiFi. After reading this post we all know now that free WiFi can come with a heavy price tag.
Thanks for the information.
@Ileane
Thanks ileane. I appreciate your feedback. I owned a computer business for about 10 years, so I know how Windows is embedded in most companies. I don't see that changing any time soon.
When you travel you are probably using Cisco VPN (Guessing) which of course is fine. As far as T-Mobile WWAN I don't know much about that. Have a look at T-Mobile HotSpot Network: http://bit.ly/3wYmC2
I hope that link comes through OK. If contact me (via the contact page or email) and I'll send the longer version.
Recently I read that MacDonalds will not charge for WiFi anymore, and I do know that lots of chain restaurants are free. And yes, public networks are just that, public.
Good point, also you forgot to mention use SSL when available! :)
Good observation Shawn. And a likely candidate for an upcoming post. Thanks.
I can't resist making another comment…
So public WiFi is like sex, huh? Alot of people enjoy sex! :)
I guess server side compression and WiMax would be like a form of ecstasy…lol
Sometimes you just have to let the metaphor do its magic Shawn. :)
Like I said, I just couldn't resist.
Metaphors are fun in general!
Great article, I've always loved little snitch, but haven't installed it on my new MBP. A great reminder!
Great advice Hal! This is something that I haven't spent a lot of time thinking about but after your analogy (and suggestions) I am going to be looking a LOT closer at this.
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