"Tom Roth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > >Finally, WEP can be broken and from what I've been told it's fairly easy >so if you are doing anything like on-line banking, ordering something by >credit card, etc., don't use wireless at all. Switch to wired for these >kinds of transactions.
I consider this to be fearmongering. :) Credit card numbers, on-line banking information, etc. should all be protected by a Secure Socket Layer (SSL), meaning they should be encrypted by the browser before they ever leave your laptop. Most browsers will display a special symbol (e.g., a locked padlock symbol) when connected via an SSL. SSLs are the basis of most online security mechanisms and are generally more than adequate in themselves in protecting sensitive information. You should never enter credit card or similarly private information online unless you have an SSL connection. This is true whether you're connected via wireless or wired. The only real security weakness of wireless is LAN traffic, which otherwise wouldn't leave your house/building; but if you're buying online or doing online banking then you're already broadcasting to the entire internet. Broadcasting it also to your neighbors should be the least of your worries. -Jeff [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- "You can't brew a premium lager with a kool-aid mentality." --Harold Green in _The_Red_Green_Show_ -- MacNetwork is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... XRouter Pro | Share your DSL or cable modem between multiple computers! Dr. Bott | Only $199 <http://www.drbott.com/prod/MIH130.html> Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> MacNetwork list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/macnet.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; end list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/macnetwork%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
