Millenicom Novatel MiFi 4620LE - No WiFi protected setup?

[anno3]

I have read so many positive comments about Millenicom, but I still have a few questions that I hope someone here can help me with!

According to the information on their Coverage page, the Hotspot Plan uses the Novatel MiFi 4620LE. One of the reviews I read about this device said that it "does Not support Wi-Fi Protected Setup."

So here are my questions and please forgive me because yes, I am clueless. 🙂

Question 1.
Since it doesn't support WiFi protected setup, does this mean I could not conduct secure transactions such as online banking, bill paying etc?

Question 2.
Is this a problem with any MiFi you are using or just this model?

Question 3.
When looking at the Millenicom website, how do you know who the provider is?

Thanks for any information you can share!

[joebedford]

Even if you had an open wifi network without password, there is strong encryption between your PC and your bank.

You'd be leaving yourself open for other problems, but getting your banking session hacked wouldn't be one of them.

[MrWizard]

i use a free 'data monitor' program to track my useage

[anno3]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. I do appreciate all of the information and thoughts you shared with me.

And JHilley, thanks for the link to the user guide. I was able to spend some time last night browsing through it and I think this will help me feel more comfortable with the device since this is new territory for me!

Thanks again!

[hitchup]

We had to use a PW to begin using our Millenicom Hot Spot. DH also uses one with his work Hot Spot directly from Verizon, also same model. It may not be the strongest protection, but I'm on and off so quickly, that it hasn't been a problem.

We did have something odd happen at a NC RVP. Someone used our HP printer that we have on Wifi and printed his court paperwork to pay a traffic fine. Didn't go knocking on any doors to see if they wanted any of the pages.

[RoyB]

I use the VERIZON 2200 MIFI UNIT which is password protected and is the same type of NOVATEL unit that Millenicom is using. You can see the WIFI SSID address on any WIFI enabled computer or device but you cannot log into it without the proper password an ID.


It is as secure as anything else I suspose.. We use ours all the time paying our bills, emailing our kids and using the various forums like Facebook and RV net etx...

Since it is a WIFI HOTSPOT I use my M90 computer just like I do at home connected to the cable internet... I just connect to the MIFI unit instead.

The wife can use her HP smaller computer and we both use our tablets all at the same time...

I can get by just fine for our use with on 3GB dataplan per month but If I wanted to get into streaming TV shows and movies I would definitely go with the MILLENICOM 20GB plan using Verizon.

I know my MIFI unit is secure as others at the camp grounds sees us using our computers and ask if that is us they see on their WIFI enabled units. The usually ask if they can check in thru us haha... Makes me feel bad by having to tell them it is on our secure net.

I have my Verizon MIFI unit always sitting in a WILSON SLEEK CRADLE as a docking station for my 2200 Mifi unit. The WIlson unit also has an outside antenna so this extends our WIFI area of coverage as well as getting better connectivity picking up the Verizon networks.



My MIFI unit has an internal battery which holds a good charge for about 4 hours of use.

[TechWriter]

anno3 wrote:
I have read so many positive comments about Millenicom, but I still have a few questions that I hope someone here can help me with!

According to the information on their Coverage page, the Hotspot Plan uses the Novatel MiFi 4620LE. One of the reviews I read about this device said that it "does Not support Wi-Fi Protected Setup."

That's a good thing. WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) is the weak sister of security protocols.

The Millenicom MiFi 4020LE offers these security protocols:
WEP 64-bit
WEP 128-bit
WPA Personal/PSK (TKIP)
WPA2 Personal/PSK (AES)
WPA/WPA2 Personal Mixed Mode

[tkcas01]

I didn't know what that means so "googled" and and it sounds like that is a GOOD thing not to have:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Setup

It is secure.

And while they can't promote it on their website, Millenicom is a reseller of Verizon bandwidth. I had the same discomfort before I dove in, but found it to be true - the device has a Verizon SIMM in it.

The main drawback to me is you can't log in to Verizon to see your usage level. You have to email them or submit a support ticket and they will tell you how much data you have used for the month so far.

I accidentally blew though the 20GB limit once and got shut out for a month. I had a program update itself without my knowledge, so tried to make sure auto updates are turned off.

[Bill_Satellite]

WPS is different (and not necessarily good anyway) than no security. You can still setup WPA or higher security. The WPS was designed to do it all for you between 2 devices with the WPS service installed. Doing it yourself and using the higher WPA/WPA2 security will give you all the protection you need.
With Millenicom your providers are either Verizon (20GB/month) or Sprint (unlimited which is limited to 50GB/month).

[jhilley]

It does support protected WiFi. You have to talk to Millenicom if you don't understand from the WEB site shich network a device runs on. The $69.99 20GB/mo plan runs on Verizon.

4620LE Hotspot User Guide