Use of Data?
When leaving the computer for say, 20 minutes, should I disconnect from my "air card" to eliminate any data use while the computer is "idling?" I have all the automatic updates I can find, shut off...
Forum Discussion
If you are using someone else's bandwidth (e.g., RV Park or Starbucks WiFi), you are probably ok unless you have an open connection (non-encrypted). By staying connected, you are giving a hacker a chance to find and exploit your exposed computer.
If you are paying for the bandwidth, (e.g., using an AT&T hotspot or personal WiFi, which connects your air card to the Internet via an LTE base station) and have a monthly data cap (e.g., 6 GB), then leaving it on, especially while connected to a website like this) can really suck down your data. A lot of the banner ads running on websites are data hogs. In that case, I'd download what is needed, then disconnect from the wireless access point. Good luck. Mike
If you are paying for the bandwidth, (e.g., using an AT&T hotspot or personal WiFi, which connects your air card to the Internet via an LTE base station) and have a monthly data cap (e.g., 6 GB), then leaving it on, especially while connected to a website like this) can really suck down your data. A lot of the banner ads running on websites are data hogs. In that case, I'd download what is needed, then disconnect from the wireless access point. Good luck. Mike
