Novice question on Laptop security

I bought a new laptop for my wife, and I set up 'Internet Connection
Sharing' between this laptop and my Win98SE desktop PC, the desktop
being connected to the internet by an ADSL modem.

Although this new laptop is fitted with wifi, we are not actually
using the wifi at all, but just use a network cable between the two
machines.

Q: Is it possible that somebody can remotely access the laptop, and
maybe also the desktop, even though we are not using the wifi
ourselves?

Any help would be appreciated.


Regards,

Terry

As long as you keep the radio turned off you should be OK. On your laptop
there should be a button or slide switch that turns the radio off.


"Terry" <guitar_man@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns96ACE0E87D737guitaroperamailco@193.252.117 .183...
>
> I bought a new laptop for my wife, and I set up 'Internet Connection
> Sharing' between this laptop and my Win98SE desktop PC, the desktop
> being connected to the internet by an ADSL modem.
>
> Although this new laptop is fitted with wifi, we are not actually
> using the wifi at all, but just use a network cable between the two
> machines.
>
> Q: Is it possible that somebody can remotely access the laptop, and
> maybe also the desktop, even though we are not using the wifi
> ourselves?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Terry

On 8-Aug-2005, Terry <guitar_man@operamail.com> wrote:

> Q: Is it possible that somebody can remotely access the laptop, and
> maybe also the desktop, even though we are not using the wifi
> ourselves?

YES. However, unless you are an intended target, practicing safe computing
and internet surfing will greatly reduce the chances. If you haven't already
done so, it is recommended that you purchase either a hardware or software
firewall. Routers will do the firewalling for you. Also, install and use
both an anti-virus and anti-spyware applications. I have known many
customers who have those programs installed and when they get a virus and/or
adware program, they find it difficult to understand how they could have
gotten. Well, they never used them. Anyway, don't open email attachments
from people you don't know. Better yet, don't even view email from people
you don't know. As for the ones you do know, check each message and its
attachment for viruses, etcetera. Beware of file sharing sites. There are
countless other tidbits, but these should suffice. Take care.

--
Just Me, D

go buy yourself the typical wifi router
you'll have additional security all around
then you wont need ICS
plus you and the wife can kick back and surf on the patio, in bed, or where
ever nearby on battery.

"Terry" <guitar_man@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns96ACE0E87D737guitaroperamailco@193.252.117 .183...
>
> I bought a new laptop for my wife, and I set up 'Internet Connection
> Sharing' between this laptop and my Win98SE desktop PC, the desktop
> being connected to the internet by an ADSL modem.
>
> Although this new laptop is fitted with wifi, we are not actually
> using the wifi at all, but just use a network cable between the two
> machines.
>
> Q: Is it possible that somebody can remotely access the laptop, and
> maybe also the desktop, even though we are not using the wifi
> ourselves?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Terry