WPA Encription

coolchick · 01-26-2009, 07:39 PM

I was reading a thread that briefly discussed WPA encription and then was sidetracked.

I would like to know how to enable the WPA encription on my computer.

Thanks in advance.

**jarod** · 01-26-2009, 08:30 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Product_Activation

Which do you mean. The first one is regarding WIFI and it is basically adding a password to your WIFI device so as to keep unauthorized users out from using your WIFI

johnwill · 01-27-2009, 08:29 AM

Maybe you could share the make/model of the wireless router you're connecting to? The router is where you configure the wireless encryption.

coolchick · 01-29-2009, 07:28 PM

I already know how to password protect my laptop. An employee of a wellknown electronics store told me that would only slow down a person who knew what they were doing.

I guess what I'm looking for is a way to keep intruders out of my laptop when I'm surfing on a public hotspot.

Any advice?

johnwill · 02-02-2009, 05:13 PM

You can't enable WPA or any other encryption at a public hotspot. It's the gateway that determines the level of protection, in the case of most free public hotspots, that would be no encryption at all.

Don't do your banking at Starbucks! You should also have a good firewall and have it activated whenever you're connecting to such a network.

MartinFa · 02-03-2009, 06:10 AM

johnwill is correct in what he says.

For protection, enable / use your firewall - Windows or otherwise - plus all the usual up-to-date anti-virus & anti-spyware stuff.

**bilbus** · 02-05-2009, 11:11 PM

public hotspots are just that ... public.

When i am on public hotspots i vpn into work and then do my brousing.

01-26-2009, 07:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
coolchick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6 OS: xp	WPA Encription I was reading a thread that briefly discussed WPA encription and then was sidetracked. I would like to know how to enable the WPA encription on my computer. Thanks in advance.

01-26-2009, 08:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
jarod TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Malaysia, Klang Posts: 517 OS: Win XP service pack 2 My System	Re: WPA Encription http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Product_Activation Which do you mean. The first one is regarding WIFI and it is basically adding a password to your WIFI device so as to keep unauthorized users out from using your WIFI __________________ Optimus Prime: Were we so different? They're a young species. They have much to learn. But I've seen goodness in them.Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. You all know there's only one way to end this war. We must destroy the cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest.

01-27-2009, 08:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 40,965 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: WPA Encription Maybe you could share the make/model of the wireless router you're connecting to? The router is where you configure the wireless encryption. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

01-29-2009, 07:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
coolchick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6 OS: xp	Re: WPA Encription I already know how to password protect my laptop. An employee of a wellknown electronics store told me that would only slow down a person who knew what they were doing. I guess what I'm looking for is a way to keep intruders out of my laptop when I'm surfing on a public hotspot. Any advice?

02-02-2009, 05:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 40,965 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: WPA Encription You can't enable WPA or any other encryption at a public hotspot. It's the gateway that determines the level of protection, in the case of most free public hotspots, that would be no encryption at all. Don't do your banking at Starbucks! You should also have a good firewall and have it activated whenever you're connecting to such a network. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-03-2009, 06:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
MartinFa Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Win XP SP3	Re: WPA Encription johnwill is correct in what he says. For protection, enable / use your firewall - Windows or otherwise - plus all the usual up-to-date anti-virus & anti-spyware stuff.

02-05-2009, 11:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
bilbus TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 950 OS: OS2 Warp	Re: WPA Encription public hotspots are just that ... public. When i am on public hotspots i vpn into work and then do my brousing.