I have been using a regular wired DSL broadband modem in my Compaq laptop. I shall be travelling, and am looking at iPass (http://wireless.tataindicombroadband.in/wireless/wifi.html). Since I am a bit confused about the security issues which may have to be addressed now, I am requesting for guidance.
I have a Broadcom 802.11b/g device.
My current OS/security setup is as below :-
a) Win-XP SP2 (completely patched, vetted by Secunia)
b) AVG AV/AS free 8.5
c) ZA firewall free 7.0.483
d) Sundry utilities/protection software : Ccleaner, Spywareblaster
e) Safe browsing habit
My first query : In the settings for my wireless network connection, there are the following choices :-
a) Any available network (access point preferred)
b) Access point (infrastructure) networks only
c) Computer-to-computer (ad hoc) networks only
Choice a) is selected by default. I presume that when I am using the iPassConnect dialler, these choices are irrelevant. Are these choices relevant only for a free wifi hotspot connection?
My second query is about the security aspect. Do I need to activate WPA/AES, and if so, how? Also, I read somewhere that SSID broadcast should be disabled … how is that done? More, is it necessary to have any security key / passphrase … or, are the iPassConnect login credentials (username, domain, password) good enough?
Or, are these security issues relevant only for a free wifi hotspot connection, and not required when using iPassConnect dialler?
Thanks,