Laptop security -- paying online?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2005
Laptop security -- paying online?
8
Wed, 04-02-2008 - 1:27pm

Okay I broke down and got my laptop anyway...work was overloading me (I'm freelancing) and our old computer was having issues.


Anywho...I've never had a laptop and am wondering what (if anything) I need to do to "secure" it as far as paying bills online, basically going all those places where I have financial stuff (on-line banking, credit card stuff, etc).


We are running thru a wireless router, but wasn't sure what else to do.  Right now I'm doing all that at the "old" computer.


TIA

Jennifer


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2006
Wed, 04-02-2008 - 1:53pm
Okay - I by no means claim to be an computer expert, but I do know that you need to secure your wireless line so others cannot access it.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2008
Wed, 04-02-2008 - 5:37pm

Definitely secure your wireless network. That's your biggest protection to your information (from what I understand, that part I'm not to clear on the technology of), plus it keeps people from using your internet connection for free. I think of it in the same way as stealing cable - you wouldn't want your neighbor's to splice into your cable so why let them "splice" into your internet?

As for security - well, I've always used a laptop and never had a problem with security. If there is a little lock on the bottom right corner of the website you are going to, you are entering a secure site. As long as you have secured your wireless and put up a firewall you'll be fine. All (or at least all that I've seen) websites that hold financial/personal information of that sort log you out after a certain amount of idle time, but I still log out as soon as I've finished.

If your site doesn't have that lock, or a pop-up comes up telling you the certificate has expired, you should still be fine - as long as you've secured your wireless. That's happened to me before, but I've still gone ahead with what I was doing, and again, nothing bad has happened to me. It a risk you'll have to decide for yourself - if it's something that you routinely do and you are concerned give the company a call. Personally, I've never gone that far, but I'm sure plenty of people have.






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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2006
Wed, 04-02-2008 - 5:54pm

In addition to all of the 'above', you can always tell if you are on a secure sight if the address bar says https:
The "s" indicates secure.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2008
Wed, 04-02-2008 - 6:09pm
I've never noticed that! So of course, I just had to check it out. That actually comes in handy since sometimes my 'trash can' covers that little corner where the lock usually is.





Past Races:
-Boston Run to Remember Half Marathon, 5/29/11 (2:35:11, no training!)
-Corporate Run, 3.5 miles 6/2/11 (36:38, 4 days after running the half!)
-BAA 10k, 6/26/11 (1:04:52, wanted to be under an hour...)
-Tavern to Tavern
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2005
Wed, 04-02-2008 - 8:36pm

Thanks for all the tips.

Jennifer


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2006
Wed, 04-02-2008 - 8:48pm

Our laptop crapped out recently. Time to get a new one. Are you the one who bought the Dell a few weeks ago and are you happy with your choice?


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2005
Wed, 04-02-2008 - 8:53pm

I've only had it since Monday, but I do like it so far.

Jennifer


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Wed, 04-02-2008 - 8:59pm
We all have Dell's and are very happy with them.
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