My DS Shawn has purchased a laptop for college. He ordered a Toshiba from Walmart.com. He got a good price. He also ordered a wireless router because he says he needs that to access the internet. He says that he installs it on the back of MY desktop computer, so that he can access internet in the house.

My question is this...does this make MY computer vulnerable in any way? Can my data be accessed, such as my credit card number if I purchase on line? He assures me that it will not, that a security program comes with the router that can be installed on my computer.

He has a Sony PSP that can pick up WiFi in places like Starbucks. Once, as we were driving past a car dealership, he was able to pick up data from their computers.

I don't want this thing on my computer if it is going to make me vulnerable. I have my system just the way I want it, and I would go nuts if he did something to it, so that I couldn't use it.

Input, please......

By Annie2 on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 11:08 pm:

I am FAR from a computer expert but my dh is, thank goodness. We have a wireless router in our home. Make sure you have a virus protection plan and you will be okay.

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 04:25 am:

If there is a security code for the router or you can set up a security code, you should do so. I don't remember the details, but I remember reading that the main reason strangers (like your son) are able to access people's wireless accounts is that the user fails to set up a security/password program.

And, tell your son just that - it would make you nuts if anything he did interfered with or messed up your computer in any way. So if he doesn't want a mom going nuts all over him, he'd better read the manual carefully and take all precautions.

By Tarable on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 09:42 am:

My DH is a programmer and we have a wireless router at home and he also says to make sure you actually set up a name and password for the router so no one else can use your internet. I know from my daughters computer I can get on 4 different neighbors internet because they just use the default name and there is no password. Routers are not hard to set up by what my DH says but he needs to enable all the security he can on it as Ginny said.

Good Luck.

By Crystal915 on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 11:25 am:

YES, definitely secure your network. I have wireless, and I'll view available networks, at least some of my neighbors have unsecured signals that I can pick up. Ours is secured, so no worries.

By Hol on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 08:09 pm:

Wow!! That was what I was afraid of. We do have a guy up the road who is a computer "geek" and works out of his home. If I have to, I'll pay him to come down and set it up properly.

Thanks, all. As usual you always have the answers when I need them.

By Crystal915 on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 07:26 am:

Setting up a secure network is as simple as calling the manufacturer, like mine is by Linksys, and they walk you through it, and give you a security key. As long as you do that, and have a good firewall and anti-virus (which you need even with traditional internet access), you'll be fine. I do a great deal of my shopping online, and ALL of my banking, and have never had a problem.

By Hol on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 11:18 am:

Thanks, Crystal! I think the one he ordered is a Belkin. Yes, I do have good Internet security. We tried something a friend showed him, to see if any of our neighbors have unsecured access, and MY firewall wouldn't let it come through.