Essentials for Public WiFi Usage???

carrie640 · 07-08-2008, 08:55 PM

I am pretty new to this WiFi stuff and purchased a new laptop a few weekends ago (2gbs RAM, 250 HD..all the good stuff).

Naturally, I have my AV (Avira), my spyware software, and Firewall (COMODO) going, but is that enough for using public/free Wifi or is there anything else I should do

I ended up disabling the Client For Microsoft Networks and the File/Printer Sharing (per the GRC Shields UP! website).....

Anything else I should do?? I came across privacy software (TOR, Vidalia, Privoxy), but I wasn't sure if that was something I need, how it works, etc!

Thanks in advance for any input!! :)

**johnwill** · 07-10-2008, 09:16 AM

That's about as good as it gets. I think TOR and other similar software will be so slow that you'll give up on Internet access at all!

Just don't do any personal banking and the like on the public WiFi network.

carrie640 · 07-11-2008, 10:52 AM

Thank you!!!! :)

07-08-2008, 08:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
carrie640 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 304 OS: XP on Desktop/Vista (64 bit) on notebook!	Essentials for Public WiFi Usage??? I am pretty new to this WiFi stuff and purchased a new laptop a few weekends ago (2gbs RAM, 250 HD..all the good stuff). Naturally, I have my AV (Avira), my spyware software, and Firewall (COMODO) going, but is that enough for using public/free Wifi or is there anything else I should do I ended up disabling the Client For Microsoft Networks and the File/Printer Sharing (per the GRC Shields UP! website)..... Anything else I should do?? I came across privacy software (TOR, Vidalia, Privoxy), but I wasn't sure if that was something I need, how it works, etc! Thanks in advance for any input!! :)

07-10-2008, 09:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,802 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Essentials for Public WiFi Usage??? That's about as good as it gets. I think TOR and other similar software will be so slow that you'll give up on Internet access at all! Just don't do any personal banking and the like on the public WiFi network. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

07-11-2008, 10:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
carrie640 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 304 OS: XP on Desktop/Vista (64 bit) on notebook!	Re: Essentials for Public WiFi Usage??? Thank you!!!! :)