Security Recommendations?

I've acquired and installed a wi-fi adapter on my laptop to use when I
happen to be in a hotel or other place with an available "hot spot."
(I have a simple, two computer, wired lan at home.)

What security precautions, if any, should I take to avoid having
information 'lifted' from my laptop while I'm connected to a hot spot?

Thanks.

(E-Mail Removed) (Joseph Carrier) wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed) om:

> I've acquired and installed a wi-fi adapter on my laptop to use when I
> happen to be in a hotel or other place with an available "hot spot."
> (I have a simple, two computer, wired lan at home.)
>
> What security precautions, if any, should I take to avoid having
> information 'lifted' from my laptop while I'm connected to a hot spot?
>
> Thanks.
>

I would suggest a host based FW on the machine such as BlackIce, ZA, Kerio,
Outlook, etc., etc and reject all IP's with the FW on ports 137-139 and
(445 NT based O/S), possibly 443.

It's just my opinion.

Duane

On Wed, 03 Sep 2003 04:12:45 GMT, Duane Arnold spoketh

>(E-Mail Removed) (Joseph Carrier) wrote in
>news:(E-Mail Removed). com:
>
>> I've acquired and installed a wi-fi adapter on my laptop to use when I
>> happen to be in a hotel or other place with an available "hot spot."
>> (I have a simple, two computer, wired lan at home.)
>>
>> What security precautions, if any, should I take to avoid having
>> information 'lifted' from my laptop while I'm connected to a hot spot?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>
>I would suggest a host based FW on the machine such as BlackIce, ZA, Kerio,
>Outlook, etc., etc and reject all IP's with the FW on ports 137-139 and
>(445 NT based O/S), possibly 443.
>
>It's just my opinion.
>
>Duane

You mean port 445. 443 is https.


Lars M. Hansen
http://www.hansenonline.net
(replace 'badnews' with 'news' in e-mail address)

Uncheck File and Printer sharing from your wireless connection. This will
fulfill 95% of your security needs.

"Joseph Carrier" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> I've acquired and installed a wi-fi adapter on my laptop to use when I
> happen to be in a hotel or other place with an available "hot spot."
> (I have a simple, two computer, wired lan at home.)
>
> What security precautions, if any, should I take to avoid having
> information 'lifted' from my laptop while I'm connected to a hot spot?
>
> Thanks.

To all: many thanks for the suggestions, though some of the firewall
terminology (ports) calls for more knowledge on my part. I have,
however, implemented the suggestion to "uncheck File and Printer
sharing" -- I'll tackle the other 5% of my security needs as I learn
more.


"Selar Rao" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<iDk5b.80137$(E-Mail Removed)>...
> Uncheck File and Printer sharing from your wireless connection. This will
> fulfill 95% of your security needs.
>
> "Joseph Carrier" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> > I've acquired and installed a wi-fi adapter on my laptop to use when I
> > happen to be in a hotel or other place with an available "hot spot."
> > (I have a simple, two computer, wired lan at home.)
> >
> > What security precautions, if any, should I take to avoid having
> > information 'lifted' from my laptop while I'm connected to a hot spot?
> >
> > Thanks.