On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 07:53:59 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:

Since then, I've learned more about WiFi service and it seems you have to be
very careful. Other people can apparently piggy-back on your computer to
gain access to the Internet.

================================

Basically you are making your WiFi laptop part of a large and very
insecure LAN (Local Area Network). If you have default sharing
options turned on and do not have a firewall, your computer is as good
as naked on main street. Just about anyone in the world can have
their way with it, and they will. I recommend ZoneAlarm Pro as a
good, reasonably priced firewall product. It takes a little practice
and head scratching to learn how to configure it, but is worth the
effort. One of my unprotected laptops caught a worm/virus within 15
minutes of dialing up a new internet service last summer. It didn't
even come in via EMAIL.