| Every modern notebook is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing | | | | `g` card. An 802.11g is backward compatible with |
| internet access from any part of the globe. But | | | | IEEE 802.11b, thus 802.11g can leverage the |
| while using your wireless notebook, you should be | | | | widespread, international adoption of IEEE 802.11b |
| aware of Wi-Fi standards, hotspots, and how to | | | | in products from laptops to PDAs. A personal |
| effectively use this technology to make the | | | | firewall, such as ZoneAlarm or BlackICE can |
| optimum use of your notebook. | | | | significantly add up to the security level of your |
| The 802.11g Wi-Fi standard is the latest standard, | | | | notebook. |
| which your notebook follows when you are online. | | | | 3 - Whenever you are using your notebook at a |
| The Wi-Fi alphabet spaghetti consists of protocols | | | | Wi-Fi hotspot, make it a point not to send data. |
| like 802.11, 802.15, 802.16, and 802.20. However, | | | | While you are surfing, do not type your |
| for most notebook users 802.11 would be | | | | credit-card number, expiration date, passwords, |
| sufficient with added `a`, `b`, or `g`. | | | | bank account numbers, etc. Sensitive data are the |
| There are protocols like `e`, `h`, `i`, and `n` that are | | | | goldmines for hackers, and they will swipe your |
| waiting in the wings to make their entry. | | | | bank account before you can finish saying, ` I |
| Nevertheless, as of now, 802.11g is the only | | | | have been a victim of online identity theft!` |
| protocol that one needs to think when it comes | | | | 4 - Consider not staying online while working. If |
| to wireless connectivity. The latest Wi-Fi standard | | | | the risks outweigh the benefits, then it would be |
| is the 802.11g and offers connection speeds up to | | | | better to stay offline; at least until the new |
| 54 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz radio bands, which is five | | | | 802.11i standard is not implemented. Even then, |
| times more than the previous standard 802.11b. It | | | | the security can be breached, albeit with difficulty. |
| is more stable, more secure, and backward | | | | If you do not need Wi-Fi to implement your work, |
| compatible. | | | | then stay switched off. If you need the Wi-Fi just |
| Almost all notebooks that are manufactured | | | | to send and receive files, then stay connected for |
| today are 802.11g Wi-Fi standard ready. This | | | | only that period. Rest of the time, stay offline. |
| standard is also designed to replace the older | | | | Precautions to take at a public Wi-Fi hotspot: |
| Wired Equivalent Privacy or WEP by specifying | | | | Whenever you are in public domain, you need to |
| the Wi-Fi Protected Access or WPA. The WPA | | | | take precautions, as it is free for all. The Wi-Fi |
| will function as an interim solution, until the next | | | | hotspots are available to any and every person, |
| standard, the 802.11i network security standard is | | | | and anybody can be connected. Besides online |
| implemented with a new algorithm called Temporal | | | | thefts, there is also the risk of offline thefts. |
| Key Integrity Protocol, which shall be much more | | | | While in a public hotspot, do not be so absorbed |
| secure and reliable. | | | | with your notebook, that you fail to notice the |
| However, until the new standard is implemented, | | | | people around you. There are persons who are in |
| the 802.11g is to be followed. There are only two | | | | the business of stealing notebooks, from public |
| disadvantages with this notebook Wi-Fi standard, | | | | hotspots. And they do not operate as individuals |
| that firstly, since it is a new standard, it may not | | | | but as a gang. |
| perform as promised; and secondly, with fast | | | | Also, while you are online at a public hotspot, |
| emerging latest technologies, it may become | | | | follow simple rules like encrypting files before |
| obsolete by newer standards before you have | | | | transferring or emailing them; making sure you |
| the time to benefit from it. | | | | are connected to a legitimate access point; and |
| Few tips for a secure Wi-Fi experience: | | | | file sharing is turned off. Basic precautions like |
| 1 - You should raise the level of your laptop | | | | password protecting your notebook, updating |
| settings. Raise the security settings of software | | | | your system regularly, and using anti-virus |
| applications like Microsoft Outlook and Internet | | | | software should be strictly followed. For further |
| Explorer. Update them frequently to ensure latest | | | | online security, consider using a personal firewall, a |
| protection from hackers and viruses. You should | | | | virtual private network (VPN), and web-based |
| keep the encryption feature always on to ensure | | | | email with secure http (https). |
| safest browsing with Wi-Fi. | | | | Having a good Wi-Fi experience directly translates |
| 2 - Along with the software, you should also | | | | into a satisfying Internet experience. With the |
| consider updating to better hardware. Hackers | | | | above suggestions being implemented, you are |
| have always found 802.11a and 802.11b very easy | | | | guaranteed to have a pleasant online time with |
| to hack. However, 802.11g is harder to crack and | | | | your notebook. |
| you should consider upgrading your hardware to a | | | | |