WiFi security

[speleobat2]

Hi all,

This occured to me while we were traveling last week. All of the motels that we stayed in had WiFi.

If you leave a computer in either Hibernate or Sleep instead of shutting it down, is it open to attack by someone? All of the WiFi networks were unsecured networks.

Carol

[Moray_Lass]

Hi Carol

You'd be open to attack even if you were surfing at the time. A British programme, Watchdog, tested it last year. I'd avoid unsecure WiFi and make sure your firewall is up to date if you can't.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/200 ... ecure.html

[speleobat2]

I guess my real question is do I have to do a complete shut down every night in order to secure the laptop when we are traveling.

I've never yet found a motel with a secure network available and I usually check my email last thing in the evening and first thing in the morning. It's quicker to use Hibernate than to do a complete shut down, but I have been shutting down because I wasn't sure what else was safe. I've never had a problem, but am wondering.

Carol

[AndrewP]

Hi Carol,

Unless you have 100% confidence in your firewall software, then shutting the laptop down is the safest way. Another option, if you have it, is to shut down the wireless communication on your laptop when you are not using it.

All the best,

AndrewP

[speleobat2]

Thanks Andrew,

I'll keep shutting down. It's not difficult. I just wasn't sure about the workings of WiFi!

Carol

[Archiver]

I'd just disconnect from the wi-fi connection manually then hibernate. However, just make sure all virus software is up to date!