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    Security for notebook in public

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by shepard97504, Mar 22, 2006.

  1. shepard97504

    shepard97504 Notebook Guru

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    I have read the FAQ and sticky on setting up a network and have learned a lot about keeping my home wireless secure. But what I need to know now is how best to secure my laptop on a public network. Has my search for a thread or sticky specifically for that, missed the information?

    Right now I have file sharing turned off. I also turn on the Windows firewall and use SecureIX when in public. Is there anything else I should do?

    I really do not like software firewalls like Zone Alarm. Had too much trouble with them in the past. Also ZA digs it's tentacles too deep into the operaating system for my tastes and can be incredibly hard to to uninstall.
     
    shepard97504, Mar 22, 2006
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  2. eslayter

    eslayter Notebook Consultant

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    I'd never heard of SecureIX before. Can you give any feedback on their service?
     
    eslayter, Mar 22, 2006
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  3. shepard97504

    shepard97504 Notebook Guru

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    It's also known as Personnel VPN. Here is a link. I just started using it.

    http://www.secureix.com/

    Do you have any input on my questions?

    Thanks.
     
    shepard97504, Mar 22, 2006
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  4. Chutsman

    Chutsman Notebook Evangelist

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    As long as you have file sharing turned off, and you have no folders shared, and a good Firewall you should be okay. The windows firewall is only a one way device though. If you don't like ZA, try Sygate Personal.

    I use my laptop a lot on a public network (library) and haven't run into anything suspicious. I use Zone Alarm and AVG antivirus.
     
    Chutsman, Mar 23, 2006
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  5. shepard97504

    shepard97504 Notebook Guru

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    I think Sygate is now part of Symantec and Norton. If any company has a worse reputation for digging into your system and being impossible to uninstall than Zone Alarm, it's Norton!
     
    shepard97504, Mar 23, 2006
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  6. sutheep

    sutheep Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    Hey thanks for the SecureIX, it's awesome!
     
    sutheep, Mar 23, 2006
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  7. shepard97504

    shepard97504 Notebook Guru

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    Is SecureIX still working for you? It stopped working for me a week or so ago and emails to them go unanswered. Maybe they went the way of the Dodo? their website is still up and running though.
     
    shepard97504, Apr 6, 2006
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  8. eslayter

    eslayter Notebook Consultant

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    I hadn't had a chance to try using it yet...it looked nice so I hope it's not gone forever.
     
    eslayter, Apr 7, 2006
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  9. sutheep

    sutheep Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    It comes off and on for me. Sometimes it connect, sometimes it won't. I sent them a couple of emails, somewhere answered, recently.. no answers
     
    sutheep, Apr 7, 2006
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  10. shepard97504

    shepard97504 Notebook Guru

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    sutheep - Thanks for that reply. I am glad to know the trouble is not just with my setup.
     
    shepard97504, Apr 7, 2006
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