Laptop internet security

[Teabag]

I would very much like to buy a laptop, but am very concerned about security ie, wireless hotspot security which I saw on BBC Watchdog. Is there a way around this, I would prefer not to use wireless at all after seeing these problems, but how do I use it at hotels etc. Are hotel sites safe to use. I do have a computer at home and so would use a wired network there. Any advice, tips would be appreciated, as I am getting put off buying one at all.

Thanks

[markja]

lots of hotels have plugs for laptops so are hard wired. just make sure your anti-v & spyware is up to date.

[Mouse0_0]

Security as far as your own files are concerned shouldn't be an issue as long as you have a good firewall on your system that blocks all incoming IP addresses on the local area network (the other users on the wireless/wired network). If you install free ZoneAlarm from http://www.zonelabs.com/ it comes configured with this as its default behaviour. If you do this, no-one should be able to mooch around what's on your hard drive.

As for packet-sniffing (people randomly grabbing bits of the data you're sending and receiving out of the air on a wireless network), just make sure any wireless network you connect to requires a WEP (or better still WPA or WPA2) pass key, and all the data will be encrypted. Anyone picking it up will just see meaningless binary data.

[Teabag]

Hello Folks

Thanks for those answers, they have put my mind at rest, I may go shopping tomorrow!!