Wireless safety: tips

Just purchased my MacBook last Friday. How safe is it to log on to free hotspots? Is there some kind of firewall software I need to install on my MacBook?
(To be safe, for now I have only gone wireless at home via my Airport Extreme).
Thanks!
-T.

Safety is relative. Do you mean you are worried about someone accessing your machine, possibly taking it over? Then no. Are you worried about date being sent and sniffed by someone? Then yes. Example: do you really think it's a good idea to access your bank account from some hotspot that's not encrypted, whose source might even be unknown? (The answer is no.) You have to assume that what you transmit can be captured. The odds are in your favor, but there are always losers in every game.

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Wireless woes - tips

I am sure this has been nearly beat to death, but I wanted to share my experiences.
I have a stock 2.0 Ghz White MB and a Linksys WRT54G wireless router. I had been using one of the linux firmwares and noticed a tad of an erratic wireless connection on my mb (please note, my XP work laptop never, ever lost connection). So a friend recommended the DD-WRT firmware. I tried this and my wireless connection on my mb went to crap. I mean it was bad.
So I went back to the stock linksys firmware:
Firmware Date: 5/25/2006
Firmware Release Version: 4.30.5 (.zip file)
Firmware File Size: 2.76 MB
and presto, my mb has not lost connection yet and even automatically reconnects to my network after waking from sleep.
Just a tip, in case you missed it posted before.

Thanks for the post, but it's what I keep telling you, specific firmware updates/revisions are often necessary for proper access/connection with many new Intel Macs.
Thanks for sharing your experience.

Boosting dorm wireless range tips

Hey, I'm going to be honest and say that I'm a newb to wireless networking, but I just arrived at my tech school in the Air Force, and am trying to get it set up. Basicly, how it works is there's 3 wings to my dorm building. Only about the first 2 rooms in each wing can get interent access well. The rest of them get maybe one bar, and can maybe connect 1/20 times for less than 5 minuites ( which is my case, with just a very stock, plain dell wireless network card with no antennae ). What i'm wondering, is if you think this signal is boostable. It's from a internet provider's network hub, so i'm not even sure if i'll be able to set it up without their information or whatever. Anyways, any information would be helpful, and an estimate on what model i may need ( the access point is ~200 feet away or so ).

I agree with saber_tooth. The ideal solution to your problem is to have your dorm's wireless system set up properly, and that would require adding WAPs (wireless access points), which would need to be wired to the central wireless router. However, if the wireless system belongs to the school, or to the ISP, you may have trouble getting their cooperation to do this.
Another option is to try to improve your reception and transmission. You could use a wireless g bridge (WET54G) and put a high gain antena (HGA7S) on it. This would give you a wired port that you could connect to the ethernet card in your computer. And if you add a switch, you could share the wireless connection with your roommate. But I am uncertain if this setup could really do 200 feet.
The ideal type of antena for this problem is a directional antena. Diriectional antenas focus your transmissions and reception in one direction, thereby optimizing the distance you can achieve with a given amount of transmitting power. I tried to locate one that was compatible with the WET54G, but I could not find one.
I would also suggest that you talk with your friends at the dorm. My guess is that somebody else who lives there has already solved this problem.
Please tell us the make and model of the wireless router that the dorm is using.
Message Edited by toomanydonuts on 04-21-200712:55 AM

Nokia 701 safety guide needed

Hii,First of all i want to say "I love nokia".
And I just bought Nokia 701 .. 3 or 4 days ago..Its my first smartphone of my life
And i really want to keep it safe..I want to use it for minimum of 4 years ..but within 3 days i saw many scratches on the screens..but i didnt handeled it badly..I always keep it safe and use it safely...I never touched the screen with nail..I press the screen very softly and till now i didnt even touched the camera lense..
My first question is
Are those scratches on the mobile screen protector which was given by nokia???? How much safe it is as it is a gorilla glass??
As we know that this mobile rest on its camera lense,making it prone to scratch
Should i buy a back panel??? or a cover???
Can u please give me some safety tips???
thanx in advance

I'd always suggest buying a full cover if you're overly concerned about scratching your phone.
If you have the screen protector on then the scratches are on this... I personally would remove it. I had my 701 for 6 months without the screen protector and it never got a scratch on it... only scratches/scuffs are on the casing.
If I have helped you, please hit the star at the bottom of my posts - it's appreciated!
Don't forget if your problem is solved to press the "Accept as Solution" button.

Trying to download driver for printer but unable to find device on wireless network

I was having trouble printing from my Macbook Pro to my HP Photosmart 5510 printer, so removed the printer and then tried to re-install the driver from the HP site. I go through the process but then my mac is unable to find the printer - the circle keeps going round trying to find it - but no luck. I have turned the printer on and off but no joy. Help please - thanks

Hi 2011tigger,
I would like to help you get your printer and MAc communicating again. The following document contains information about the possible causes of a lost wireless connection, tips for avoiding the issue, and troubleshooting steps to help you restore the wireless connection on your printer; Printer Does Not Maintain Wireless Connection.
I hope this helps.
Please click the Thumbs up icon below to thank me for responding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Sunshyn2005 - I work on behalf of HP

Strange incoming call from online safety cpc

I keep getting a incoming automated call via skype. It shows up as:
- ATTENTION -
When I answered it, it says my system has a problem, is too slow and to go to www.helpowo..... The rest was garbled.
This seems like a fishing exploit (trying to get me to take some action that isn't needed). Is this a known issue??

Hi, kyedlin, and welcome to the Community,
Yes, unfortunately; this is just one of many of these types of phishing schemes and scams circulating around the internet. You may report this to [email protected] or contact customer service to file a report.
Best regards,
Elaine
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Trustworthy information: Brian Krebs: 3 Basic Rules for Online Safety and Consumer Reports: Guide to Internet Security Online Safety Tip: Change your passwords often!

Blackmail scammer - story, info, tips, and assuran...

well this scam happened to me yesterday. you would think people would learn ha ha, i have seen posts on here date back to 2012 regarding this if even 1 out of 10 people scammed paid the money (i would imagine this number would be higher than just one though) multiplyed but the amount of scams they can execute in 1 day over a 2 and a half year period. these guys will be quite well off.
anyway my story started on a dating website. someone mailed me after liking my profile and what i was kind of taken back because she was very pretty (obviously fake). so after a little conversation she asked for my facebook acount which i stupidly gave her, however the other stories i have read all say that they were added on facebook where as i was not. anyway there was a video call made and it got...lets say fruity lol. after around 5 mins or so the call was ended and a video of myself...being fruity was on screen andi glanced to see that it was getting sent over facebook. i instantly pooped my pants and slammed the laptop closed contemplating my options i went to my mothers laptop and checked. happy days nothing is there. i return to my laptop to find they are still conversing with me.
like i said at the start we were never friends on facebook but this is exactly what was said to me.
"I just sent your video has (name removed but it was my mother) and I'll send it has all your other friends now, I swear I'll rot you life with this video and do not think that you got me your facebook personal you wrong you I have all your friends list and I am even friends with some of your contacts" as i stay with my mother i then went back to the computer to check and there was nothing there. obviously scare tactic and he probably didnt know we lived in the same house. so this made me think how he actually got the contacts because my facebook is private.
anyway he demanded 2000 euros so i asked him if he was daft that amount of money cant be raised in one day plus it is 10pm here everything is shut. so he very kindy gave me till 9am this morning, it is now 10:45 and i have heard nothing. after watching a youtube video and reading on here i am going to do absolutle nothing about this. as i said before i have read posts on this site dating back to 2012 on this same scam. if the video had been leaked there would be something about it in that period from then to now.
i am also led to believe that if the video is released that is exactly how they would get traced and caught. i really dont think they would ruin a very successful and lucrative scam. the number of people that will instantly pay this will massivly out weigh the people who wont pay.
what i have done is change every password i had, reported the scammer to skype. reported the video to youtube telling them i want it removed as it is being used against mein a blackmail scam and the video was labeld "my name perverse masterbating infront of 8yo child" i tols youtube that is this video surfaced it would undoubtably have severe concequences. i refreshed the page and it was gone. on facebook i have changed my actual name to something different. changed alot of privicy settings to only me. made my friends list available to only me the final thing i am doing right now is making a file of all the screen shots, pictures and everything else and sending it to interpol. i understand telling people to go to your local police station, if they have any their powers to get anythingdone will be very low. as this is an international crime it should be interpol that is notified documenting the information they gave you of where to send the money.
my scammers name is - stephanie.pleint
i hope that this post will put some peoples mind at rest a little. i suppose its still early days yet but i am confident that nothing will come of it.

Hi, JayRw, and welcome to the Community,
Please have a close look at the recommendations discussed in this thread/topic:
http://community.skype.com/t5/Security-Privacy-Trust-and/Scammer-blackmailing-me/td-p/1886569/page/3
Regards,
Elaine
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Trustworthy information: Brian Krebs: 3 Basic Rules for Online Safety and Consumer Reports: Guide to Internet Security Online Safety Tip: Change your passwords often!

My skype number not working with new subscription

My 1st subscription was cancelled due to an expired credit card. Unable to update credit card info, I was forced to open a 2nd subscription. I need to connect my skype phone number to the 2nd subscription.

Hi,
Additional information added: can the Skype number (formerly known as Online Number) be reached from a land or fixed line? If yes, can the number be reached from a mobile phone? If not, then the issue is different - the wireless carrier may not be recognizing the number.
If all else fails, please contact Skype Customer Service for assistance - they need to diagnose and resolve whatever the problem may be. Here is a link to the instruction on how to contact Skype Customer Service via their secure portal: Contact Customer Service
As you know you wish to contact Customer Service, skip past Step 2 of the instruction and proceed to Step 3, Continue Support Request.
Regards,
Elaine
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Trustworthy information: Brian Krebs: 3 Basic Rules for Online Safety and Consumer Reports: Guide to Internet Security Online Safety Tip: Change your passwords often!

My skype number not working

Hi my skype number [***] isnt working ....
pls chk and do the needfull asap
First things, first: for your safety and protection, please never, ever include any personally identifiable information such as your real name, Skype account name, e-mail address, or a telephone number in a post on a public Community or forum such as this. Thanks!

Hi,
Additional information added: can the Skype number (formerly known as Online Number) be reached from a land or fixed line? If yes, can the number be reached from a mobile phone? If not, then the issue is different - the wireless carrier may not be recognizing the number.
If all else fails, please contact Skype Customer Service for assistance - they need to diagnose and resolve whatever the problem may be. Here is a link to the instruction on how to contact Skype Customer Service via their secure portal: Contact Customer Service
As you know you wish to contact Customer Service, skip past Step 2 of the instruction and proceed to Step 3, Continue Support Request.
Regards,
Elaine
Was your question answered? Please click on the Accept as a Solution link so everyone can quickly find what works! Like a post or want to say, "Thank You" - ?? Click on the Kudos button!
Trustworthy information: Brian Krebs: 3 Basic Rules for Online Safety and Consumer Reports: Guide to Internet Security Online Safety Tip: Change your passwords often!

Need help unlocking online account

>> Duplicate post removed for cross-posting violation of the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service
See "The activity you are trying to perform is currently unavailable. Please try again later." <<
Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

Hi, Natasharocks11, and welcome to the Community,
I could not detect from your post precisely what the problem with your account is. Please kindly post back with details as well as any error messages you may be seeing.
Thank you,
Elaine
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Trustworthy information: Brian Krebs: 3 Basic Rules for Online Safety and Consumer Reports: Guide to Internet Security Online Safety Tip: Change your passwords often!

Skype Number NOT SHOWN

I got a Hong Kong skype number, and I tried to call my friends in Hong Kong while I am in UK. However, the friends told me that the caller number is not shown which means the skype number doesn't shown.
Please tell me what should I do in order to show the skype number to others!

Hi, Wilsontk,
As you wrote this past Wednesday, if the recipient's telephony service provider does not support Caller ID, there is nothing Skype can do about this! Once you are assured that your Skype Number is indeed set correctly as your Caller ID, there is always the chance that the endpoint recipient's carrier - be it wireless or fixed line - will not detect the Caller ID data.
Not that this FAQ will be helpful ...
https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA252/why-isn-t-my-caller-identification-working
Regards,
Elaine
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Trustworthy information: Brian Krebs: 3 Basic Rules for Online Safety and Consumer Reports: Guide to Internet Security Online Safety Tip: Change your passwords often!

Using Skype to travel

I live in the U.S. and am traveling to Spain. I have $10 credit. Am I correct in understanding that I'll spend less then 3 cents per minute to call my house phone?
I tested call from my IPAD and IPHONE to the house phone and it cost 8 cents for a 14 second call. Which is where my confusion comes from.
Also, when I verified (on internet) how to dial, I found that I have to dial 00-1-area code-phone number. On skype is this reduced to +1 (the + translating to 00) ?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi, jcoleicons, and welcome to the Community!
I appreciate how confusing call rates can be; generally speaking, call rates using Skype credit are more expensive than calling fixed or land lines via a subscription. Remember, too, that calling from a wireless device will be more expensive when roaming! Check your plans with your wireless carrier to ensure you are subscribed to the best calling plans available. Wi-Fi hot spots may not always be secure, however they offer a less expensive alternative to placing calls ... Skype 5.8.0.158 also has the facility to use Skype credit for Wi-Fi access (Tools -> Options -> General -> Skype Wi-Fi -> Save).
Your observations are correct on how to place outgoing calls to land lines from Skype; it is convenient not to have to add the 001 in order to reach an international circuit; it is quite handy to simply use the drop-down menu in Call Phones, choose the country you are dialing to, and then the rest of the number (city or area code and local exchange number).
Too much information!! Please post back if you have further questions. Bon Voyage!
Regards,
Elaine
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Trustworthy information: Brian Krebs: 3 Basic Rules for Online Safety and Consumer Reports: Guide to Internet Security Online Safety Tip: Change your passwords often!

Can i transfer a skype number to voip phone?profil...

Does anyone know if I can transfer my skype number to my verizon account? I am not trying to forward calls to my cell phone but rather set up a VOIP line that is linked to my verizon wireless account and I would like to keep the number I am using with skype. It seems that a lot of folks are doing the opposite and maybe I am missing something but I need to set up a phone in the home office and skype isn't cutting it for my so my least expensive option is piggybacking on my cell phone. Any help will be greatly apperciated.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi, awr, and welcome to the Community,
You may "port" your Skype Number to another carrier if said carrier permits; what is typically confusing is that numbers may not be "ported in" to Skype.
It all depends upon if the carrier to whom you wish to transfer your Skype Number will accept the number and do the paperwork.
Best regards,
Elaine
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Trustworthy information: Brian Krebs: 3 Basic Rules for Online Safety and Consumer Reports: Guide to Internet Security Online Safety Tip: Change your passwords often!

The RTX Dual phone 4088

My wireless Doro phone which is about 6 years old does not want to connect with my computer or perhaps it's the other way around!
Therefore I plan on buying the RTX Dual phone 4088. However I can't seem to find out if it works with Windows XP or as I plan soon on buying Windows 8.
Another concern is that I have looked at customers comments and one person says:
''After a one year form the utilization, the hand phone will not be active. It is like a product for just one year!!!!!!!''
I'm really stuck and hope that someone could help me, and do remember that I am most certainly not an expert with computers or phones.
John from Finland

Hi, John,
I have referred your enquiry to Skype's partner vendor for more information.
Kind regards,
Elaine
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Trustworthy information: Brian Krebs: 3 Basic Rules for Online Safety and Consumer Reports: Guide to Internet Security Online Safety Tip: Change your passwords often!

Receive SMS - Trunk text

I receve all SMS message inform show that
O?l?a? ?M?e?n?s?a?g?e?m?
My fone number is from Brazil.
Tks.
Leonardo Cabral de Aguiar

Hi, Tom_L,
I do not believe you are doing anything wrong. Community contributors WD9EWK/Patrick as well as Neil have written here in the Community about the vagaries of Caller ID; I have also read reports that some wireless carriers do not transmit SMS from Skype.
This FAQ article addresses the crux of the matter:
https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA252/why-isn-t-my-caller-identification-working
Why isn’t my caller identification working?
The most likely reason for your number not being displayed correctly to the person you are calling is that their telecommunications provider does not support this feature. If caller identification is not supported, your number will not be displayed or will be displayed incorrectly.
If the telecommunications provider does support caller identification, you may not have set up caller identification correctly.
Patrick and Neil have explained that Caller ID data does not always transmit properly, if at all.
Regards,
Elaine
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Trustworthy information: Brian Krebs: 3 Basic Rules for Online Safety and Consumer Reports: Guide to Internet Security Online Safety Tip: Change your passwords often!

Wireless safety: tips

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