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| Thread ID: 105335 | 2009-11-28 03:18:00 | Question about wireless connections | Tony (4941) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 834288 | 2009-11-28 03:18:00 | I feel embarrassed to be asking this, but I was trying to help a friend of mine and realised I wasn't actually sure of what I was talking about! :blush: She has just bought an Acer netbook for travelling. It is said to have wireless capability. So my understanding is that at home, she will need a wireless modem to connect wirelessly (or be able to piggyback on her next door neighbours :) ), although she currently has a wired modem for her main PC, so she can use that (assuming there is a wired ethernet port on her netbook). When she is travelling, she will need to be in range of an open wireless access point in a hotel, cafe etc. OK so far? She doesn't appear to have any usb dongles or similar for her netbook, so presumably the "wireless capability" is integrated somehow. (??) There are also all the issues with wireless security, but that is probably a topic for another post... That all sounds correct to me, but I would be grateful for confirmation/comment. |
Tony (4941) | ||
| 834289 | 2009-11-28 03:22:00 | yep ,she'll need to buy a wireless router to run through the modem or a modem/router combo. wireless is intergrated into the netbook what's the model of the netbook? |
GameJunkie (72) | ||
| 834290 | 2009-11-28 03:25:00 | Go into systems properties and you should find it. Netbooks should be wifi integrated. | Nomad (952) | ||
| 834291 | 2009-11-28 03:27:00 | Basically correct in what you say - Only one thing I would add in - When she is travelling, she will need to be in range of an open wireless access point in a hotel, cafe etc. Doesn't have to be open - meaning if she finds a password protected access point she would need to enter its code. When I was in Aussie a few weeks back, I brought an hours worth of time from one of the local access suppliers (bloody rip off as it was $17.00 / Hour) and logged in using the password I was given. most laptops these days have a tiny switch that you turn on to get the wireless to work, usually on the front someplace or a button along the top near the F keys. |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 834292 | 2009-11-28 04:26:00 | what's the model of the netbook?Dunno - all I know it is a Acer, and boots into Android, but can be switched to XP - which is what my friend will be using as she is comfortable with that and at her age doesn't really want to be coping with a new paradigm. Vista/W7 is going to be leap enough. :) | Tony (4941) | ||
| 834293 | 2009-11-28 04:27:00 | Basically correct in what you say - Only one thing I would add in - Doesn't have to be open - meaning if she finds a password protected access point she would need to enter its code.Right, of course. Thanks everyone for the clarifications. |
Tony (4941) | ||
| 834294 | 2009-11-28 04:34:00 | Supplementary question on security - if she doesn't have a wireless modem at home, she has no access security issues, right? The external access is via the router/modem, not through the netbook? So even if she has her laptop connected through her wired modem, she is not vulnerable through her wireless capability on the netbook? (I know that's 3 questions, but they all roll into one. :)) |
Tony (4941) | ||
| 834295 | 2009-11-28 05:01:00 | If she is accessing internet via a wired modem she still may be vulnerable if wireless is enabled but she is not using that. If it is enabled but she is not using it, others can use it. Doesn't need to be a wireless modem. By default many netbooks will have builtin wifi by factory. If it is enabled or disabled is another question. I have my modem internet by wire. I also have wifi. If I enabled wifi to an extent my neighbours and others can access it. If I am stupid enough to enabled file sharing then that might be available too. |
Nomad (952) | ||
| 834296 | 2009-11-28 07:56:00 | If she is accessing internet via a wired modem she still may be vulnerable if wireless is enabled but she is not using that . If it is enabled but she is not using it, others can use it . Doesn't need to be a wireless modem . By default many netbooks will have builtin wifi by factory . If it is enabled or disabled is another question . I have my modem internet by wire . I also have wifi . If I enabled wifi to an extent my neighbours and others can access it . If I am stupid enough to enabled file sharing then that might be available too . OK thanks . I'll make sure she is properly secured . |
Tony (4941) | ||
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