safeguard against immediate neighbourhood hack

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

SOLUTION

TalShyar

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

SOLUTION

giltjr

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

ASKER

thank you.

i use gmail often from the free wi-fi in airport..
gmail.com point to https://

is that a good starting point?
then change password everyday? (i wish i can do what Dave suggested, but I am required to use the laptop often)

is that my best strategy.

in gmail, when i type password, i only see dots.. is that what it means by 'not clear text'

SOLUTION

giltjr

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

SOLUTION

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

ASKER

>>NO, that does not mean it is not clear text
so gmail is using clear-text? practically, what does it mean?

>>'https' for Gmail should be adequate.
so, if gmail is main and big or only use in public wifi, then i have less or no worries, right?

thank you-

SOLUTION

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

ASKER

thanks-

>>Make sure your firewall is working to block intruders.

can you recommend a software firewall for the laptop, pl.. one free, one commercial... or windows firewall fine enough? (windows 7)

SOLUTION

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

ASKER

>>But I never go to the airport and use free wifi.

even if you have good firewall (and https), someone can still track your traffic?

can someone inject virus/malware in those kind of situations?

does it depend on what you are using the laptop for? or does it not even matter?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.