He should make sure the link he uses to mail is https: not just http: . He should use strong passwords, and try to avoid _typing_ passwords. He should ensure a firewall is in place and active (the built in Windows firewall is fine if he's using anything after about WinXP SP2).
That's all the average home user needs to worry about. If he's got Vista, he should run as a normal user, and not just click on every notice that pops up without understanding it. On Sat, Feb 21, 2009 at 10:39 AM, Fred Jones <fredjone...@softhome.net> wrote: > I asked a question here a while back about wireless connections and > encryption and got some great feedback - many thanks guys! > I am trying to advise my Dad about using his laptop while traveling, but I > am still confused about using a wireless connection in situation where no > encryption is available. > Here is the scenario I am trying to understand: > Traveling and using a wireless connection in a hotel > Hotel does NOT provide WEP or WPA encryption > No VPN is being used > My Dad's webmail account thru network solutions has an option to use SSL for > logging in to email. The tech told me that transmitting username and > password is protected using SSL while logging in, but all else would be in > the clear. > Is the tech correct or will the username and password be able to be picked > up in the clear since no encryption or VPN is being used? > How can transmitting anything over a non-encrypted connection without using > a VPN be protected even if using SSL to login to an account? > Thanks again for all of your help! ************************************************************************* ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *************************************************************************
