Internet or not?

pardaby - There is no satellite system with internet unless you buy a dish specifically for internet. TV dishes do not work. Internet is two way communication and TV is one way. I have two dishes because of this.

For reliable internet on the road a smartphone usually works well. All four of the major carriers have data plans. Many cell phones can become hot spots.

I agree with those that do not use public wifi for financial transactions.

If you're going the cellular route, the newer smartphones have mobil hotspot capability. In plain english, your smartphone acts as a wireless router for your other devices needing an internet connection. I use mine for my laptop, desktop and smart tv connectivity. (Don't use the smart tv very often)

BlindGuynAR wrote:

bad99ram wrote:
We found that most parks offer free Wi Fi. In fact many rest stops also have Wi Fi. When we camp in places with no services we just go to McDonalds ect which offer Wi Fi. However, with that being said if you use it lots and need to have access when you want it then perhaps you would be better off going the other route.

Please tell me you are creating a VPN on those public networks:). For sure if you are conducting financial transactions. If not you are a hackers/identity thief's perfect dream come true!

I've heard this many times and honestly don't understand it. If you're using HTTPS and are in a SSL connection, the data is encrypted from the server to the browser. The browser decrypts it before showing it to you. You can sniff network traffic all day and all you'll see are encrypted packets being thrown around.

(On edit- I'm a web developer by day, but don't do a whole lot with security. So, I'm somewhat savvy.)

Where's the security hole?

tnclays wrote:
Our kids play games on their tablets using campground WiFi. DW and I use our Verizon MiFi so don't worry about security. Also use the MiFi in the truck when the kids REALLY need to get on. On long trips one of our major logistical plans is scheduling re-charge stops.

I yearn for the days when I was a kid and didn't have all the electronic stuff. Either tried to spot state license tags or actually looked at the landscape rolling by.

Well said!!!!

Our kids play games on their tablets using campground WiFi. DW and I use our Verizon MiFi so don't worry about security. Also use the MiFi in the truck when the kids REALLY need to get on. On long trips one of our major logistical plans is scheduling re-charge stops.

I yearn for the days when I was a kid and didn't have all the electronic stuff. Either tried to spot state license tags or actually looked at the landscape rolling by.

Just be careful streaming on wifi. I used my wifi hotspot and we watched 2 episodes of Breaking Bad in HD through Amazon on our new smart TV, and it zapped us 2gb each episode.

bad99ram wrote:
We found that most parks offer free Wi Fi. In fact many rest stops also have Wi Fi. When we camp in places with no services we just go to McDonalds ect which offer Wi Fi. However, with that being said if you use it lots and need to have access when you want it then perhaps you would be better off going the other route.

Please tell me you are creating a VPN on those public networks:). For sure if you are conducting financial transactions. If not you are a hackers/identity thief's perfect dream come true!

We make our truck our "hot spot" and use it for access to the internet and email where ever we are. It's rather new but sure works great.

sdetweil wrote:

laknox wrote:

Not quite correct. It's the wireless connection between the computer and the wireless receiver that's vulnerable and subject to interception. Unless =that= signal is encrypted, you could be revealing personal info.

Lyle

https even over non-encrypted wifi is still secure.
Outlook mail to gmail is secure. https web to gmail is secure.
correct, someone COULD sniff the open wifi, but WPA encrypted wifi has a rolling random code so casual hackers won't be able to see it.

so, use only encrypted (the site should give you the key, no key, don't use it) wifi connections.
use a good email provider that enforces encrypted connections.

IF you MUST send some info you want protected, send it in multiple emails so that someone would have to see everything and stitch it back together.

the bigger problem is installing guck on your system which might record keystrokes.. so, if you didn't explicitly ask for it.. don't install it. (this is what the antivirus products are supposed to detect and remove).

Never been in a campground, hotel or other public wi-fi location that gave me more than a local password; nothing that every one around me didn't have, too. Unless you're actually given an encryption key, you're vulnerable. Personally, I go for 128-bit, at minimum.

Lyle

I'll respond again to the "speed".......The AT&T MiFi we have is 4g.......and is FAST.....it's not going to be as fast as probably some of the other programs in larger cities, but it's certainly faster than my Centurylink DSL at home......