Wireless Internet service for Full-Timers

[ohhmom]

Sent: 3/12/2008

For all of you full timers....how are you getting your internet service...are you using a wireless card....or do you have satellite service...or are you just find hot wi/fi?  Just curious!

-Donna

[gromit440]

Sent: 3/15/2008

Hey all,

We have been full-timing now since November on the cheap.

Most of you know that If you have a laptop or desktop with a built-in card/adapter you can find free WiFi available in most any town. Just pull off the road, in a few different areas if necessary, and see what pops up.

When we're in rural areas and if my cell phone can pick up a data tower, I can use a MOK (mobile office kit) for my older Samsung 1X phone and use the "back door access" for free. I should note EVDO is great, but the minute you hook up your EVDO phone using the "back door", you WILL be knocked off.

I also purchased a WiFi antenna on eBay for $140 that amplifies both reception and transmission, as both are necessary for obvious reasons. So far, with this unit, I have reached WiFi up to 2 miles away...depending on the amount of obstructions between me and the source. For those that know, this is huge!

In any event, our different methods of receiving free WiFi have been good enough to keep my travel blog, www(dot)rvfolly(dot)com, up to date and good enough to keep in touch with family and friends.

Last, I want to thank Mark et al for running the best site anywhere on the net....especially for those of us riding on a classic Dodge Chassis.

Best regards, Jeff and Sandra - presently in Punta Gorda, Florida

[Froggy1936]

Sent: 3/15/2008

Hi, You can also get WiFi @ Some McDonald's (also have lunch wile there)  I have a question about security  how safe is it to open banking  or American Express etc & pay bills wile using public Wi Fi    To pay bills on line wile traveling about the country.  Frank

[gromit440]

Sent: 3/15/2008

Hey Frank,

Folks should know that in our travels some McDonald's are free, others are not. Many places, including McDonald's, have now teamed up with Alltel and are charging a fee for access.....$3/ hour in a lot of cases. That's why it's easier to just pull off the road, in a McDonald's parking lot if you wish, and see what free sites are available in the area. We've found city systems, motels, hotels, restaurants, libraries, rv parks, trailer parks, etc., etc. that offer free WIFI.

Public WiFi is exactly that...public, and therefore, information put out on the air may be intercepted. I would suggest you do your banking and any other sensitive activity using a hardwire connection at a friends house, library, motel, etc. that offers same. Some may ask for a fee.

Jeff & Sandra www(dot)rvfolly(dot)com

[Froggy1936]

Sent: 3/15/2008

Thanks That is what i needed to know.  Frank

[gromit440]

Sent: 3/15/2008

Hey all, here's a site that may be of interest in this discussion:  http://www.wififreespot.com/   .  Enjoy.

Jeff & Sandra www(dot)rvfolly(dot)com

[denisondc]

Sent: 3/15/2008

gromit440: I would be interested to know which type of antenna you got from ebay for 'distant' wifi. I see someone selling an 'antenna' that claims lots of gain. I have a wifi adapter I like that connects via a usb cord. The antenna can thus be set on the dashboard, even on the roof of the RV, or could be stuck into an antenna. I keep meaning to try it with a vegetable strainer as a para-reflector.
Anyone who wants to use free access wifi spots should also do a google search on "+wardriving" or "+war +driving" and read-up.
There are a couple of states where knowingly accessing a wifi network that is not yours, was made illegal. I recall a case where a gent in Florida had been arrested & an indictment pending; - for uploading porn using the wifi network of some homeowner who didn't know how to lock-down his hot spot with a password. The homeowner saw the guy parked in front of his house day after day, finally, told him to leave; and went to the police when the pornster ignored him.
Anyway, making it illegal to knowingly use a wifi network assumes that the user knows that he is doing it. Where my kids live, the wifi signal from several of our neighbors may capture the laptops 'dialog' just as easily as the one in the front room. If you don't bother to check which network you are on, you wouldn't know it wasn't the 'proper' one.
I think the Florida law against using a wifi signal without asking is about as effective as posting speed limits on the highway: Of course everyone obeys the speed limits, right.....

[gromit440]

Sent: 3/15/2008

Hey denisondc,

My brother bought one as well and both work as good as or better than advertised.

Wow, the legality issue of using available/free WiFi has been debated to the point of being ridiculous, and, there have been several cases of "WIFI Theft", some true and some bologna, that have circulated around for years .... some of which occurred in other countries. Given the nature of the airwaves, I totally agree with your "speed limit" analogy. Enforcement would be an expensive nightmare. The states that have made laws did so to address abusers, I think.

Personally, I feel if WiFi is made available to the public, I will use it BUT I will not abuse it. I use a wireless router when possible and I do not use encryption like WEP or WPA, etc. If someone wants to use my WiFi, so be it. I don't worry much about theft from my computer due to firewalls, the fact I don't leave my computer on all the time, and the fact I don't do sensitive assignments over the air. Also, encryption can slow the connection speed considerably, and, the encryption codes for WEP, for example, can be found posted on the net. So what's the use. WPA is much better but again speed is lost and it can also be hacked.

Hope this helps,

Jeff & Sandra www.rvfolly.com 

[ibdilbert01]

Sent: 3/15/2008

Frank,

Finally someone has asked something that I can answer and might be helpful. Prior to the current job, I have 10 years as a network security engineer for the banking industry. As required by FDIC (if a bank) and CUNA (if a credit union) your financial institution has the protection needed to create a secure connection. This secure connection will encrypt your connection over a wired connection, or a wireless connection.

To be all honest, its not the people hanging around the same McDonald's your at with their laptops you have to worry about. I could go into a great detail on how SSL security works, but I'm sure nobody would be the slightest interested. Secondly, it would be a book of information and explanations.

I have just as much fear accessing my bank account over wireless as I do a wired connection. Mainly because the person who will hack you probably will have a wired connection anyhow.

Personally, I do my banking online (yes, wireless and wired). FDIC and CUNA will insure you if your bank account is hacked. And most credit cards offer fraud insurance. As mentioned on here, the best way is to use a credit card or gift card with limits. I'm a bit of an extremist, but thats because of my background. I use a paypal debit card. I transfer money from my bank account to the paypal account and use it as needed. I also use the paypal security keychain so if someone sniffs my password it simply doesn't matter. There are holes in this idea, but I feel comfortable doing it this way.

Ok, babbled enough...

[MSN Member]

From: MaryK2U
Sent: 3/16/2008

Thanks for the info....We are still very old school, and not real comfortable paying bills or banking on-line.  It helps to have an expert opinion.

Mary & Ken

[ohhmom]

From: ohhmom
Sent: 3/16/2008

I do like the idea of a WiFi antenna...that may be something I may have to look into further...thanks for the wonderful idea!!

[MSN Member]

From: 8BallManager
Sent: 3/16/2008

I have the Sprint Wireless Broadband card as well.  Works great everywhere I have parked, including the California desert.

I have another device to go with it which makes it much more useful.  The Linksys Wireless Router for Sprint Mobile Broadband (model WRT54G3G) is designed to work with the Sprint card.  It works just like your regular home router except it uses the Sprint card for the Internet part of the link rather than a DSL or cable connection.  On the local side it has both WiFi and wired connections.  In this way, any WiFi device within range can share the Internet connection provided by the Sprint card.

When I'm parked with a group of friends I leave it open so everybody can share the connection easily.  But you can lock it down like any router to control access to it.  Whatever you are comfortable with.  What's best about it is that my kids can each use their laptops on the road - no more fighting over the card. 

The router is made by Linksys in partnership with Sprint and Sprint sells it at their stores.  It is fully approved and Sprint supports it - so no finger pointing if you have trouble.

I have also added two external antennas to the rig.  One for the Sprint card, to improve the incoming signal and another for the WiFi to increase the range at the campsite.

The router comes with a 'wall-wart' power supply but the router itself runs on 12 volts so you can run it off a lighter socket.  I've wired mine to the house batteries so it runs without the inverter or shore power.

If anyone wants more info, just let me know.

Steve

[Froggy1936]

Sent: 3/16/2008

Hi, Thank You ibdilbert01, you have helped ease my mind about banking and bill paying on line (I have been doing it for a couple of years).  I think what you said was no one but the authorized (address i entered) can read my info password, account no, balances, credit limit, etc.  Whether I am using a dial up connection or a wireless connection. I understand that the expert hacker with all the equipment to attack the Pentagon may be able to decipher the info, but I doubt he is interested in my pennies.

   Frank

[Rayd]

I got a few security tips,

Don't disable the entering/leaving an encrypted site messages that your browser gives you.
They do get old and annoying but its safer for you.

Manually or let an anti-spyware program automatically add harmful sites to your Host file... they will be blocked.

For sites you pay bills on see if you can find and bookmark the encrypted log-in page. This url will start with https://   < note the “s” an example is https://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/login/login.jsp

When sending sensitive info on the Internet use your own connection when ever possible. That free connection at the house down the street may be running something like NetworkActiv (google it and learn   )   or another of the many available network sniffers.

Keep your OS and browser up to date.

Learn what a “Linux Live CD” is and go thru the learning curve of using one. If the internet gets too nefarious it may be one of the safest ways to browse.

Always remember that no one is 100% save from being hacked and that includes the bank site you are on.
I bet that ibdilbert could could tell some eye opening stories and what the commerce sites are up against to keep our personal data secure.


- busily wrapping his pc in foil - Ray

[ClydesdaleKevin]

We use a Verizon USB internet card that uses cell phone towers, and it works VERY well in every location we frequent.  Alltel didn't work for us in a lot of locations we go to, and Sprint was a joke...a lot of our friends use it, and then come over to check their emails on OUR computer...lol!

Grommit, I would be VERY interested in knowing what WiFi antenna you are using...you still have the Ebay seller's info?

And a final note about security...we do EVERYTHING online now, with NO bank account...we are debt free as well, with NO credit cards.  But what we DO have is what is called a Green Dot Master Card...they have these at Walmarts, Walgreens, etc.  It is a reloadable card...you put money on it, and then you spend it...its NOT credit.  Its like a debit card, but there are NO overdraft fees...you can't overdraft it!  If you try to make a purchase, it denies it if you don't have sufficient funds, but they don't charge you!  [A commentary on the banking industry...if Greendot can update your account balance instantly and not approve purchases when the money isn't there, isn't it curious that LARGE banking companies will tell you that you have 30 or 60 or 90 bucks in overdraft fees because their system didn't update fast enough to keep up with your purchases?  Greed is the bottom line, but I digress...]  Anyhow, when I need to pay a bill, I go down to the Walgreens or the Walmart and either put money directly on my card (not available in all areas) or just buy a Money Pack.  A Money Pack is simply just going to the register with a Greendot Money Pack card, usually found at customer service or AT the register, and then telling the cashier how much you want to put on the card...they charge you 5 bucks, but then you can put the money you need on the card, and then you go home and call the 1-800 number and the money is instantly transfered to you GreenDot MC or Visa.  Then you pay your bill or make your internet purchase, and you are done...and there is nothing left on the card for anyone to steal!

The GreenDot mastercards are even set up with routing numbers so you can get direct deposit made to it!  This is how I get my Navy retirement checks...lol!  Of course, I withdraw most of it on each payday so noone can steal it, but it lets me get my check anywhere without having to worry about internet theives, and without having to deal with the corperate banking system.

Kev

[gromit440]

Hi Kev,

I thought I posted this link before for dennison. Anyway, here's the link to the WiFi booster gizmo we purchased on eBay : 

http://cgi.ebay.com/38-5dBm-802-11b-g-2-4GHz-WIFI-Internet-Booster-Antenna_W0QQitemZ110324128241QQihZ001QQcategoryZ61816QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262


My brother and I have been using our units with Windows XP for over a year. The unit is plug and play but there have been times we have to uninstall and reinstall the software to get it to work properly. The software included isn't Windows approved, at least when we bought ours, so I think there are conflicts now and then. I don't have any info on how well their available, Vista drivers work.

Also, be sure to get the long high speed USB extension repeater cable so you can put the unit outside on the roof or ? Another tip is to install the short USB cable that comes with the unit and the long USB extension cable into different USB ports on your computer as one will not work in the other do to configuration conflicts. I just label the ports "short" and "long" on my laptop so I don't get them mixed up.

I have used this unit in many places while traveling and the distance we can receive WiFi is sometimes astonishing, depending on terrain and obstructions. It has worked fine for about 1/2 mile with trees and other obstructions in the way.

When we stop in many RV parks that offer wireless, we are told we must come to the office area to use it as the signal won't reach the campsites. Not with this baby most of the time. We just go to our campsite, hook up the gizmo, aim toward their transmitter/office and we're in business.

My brother lives in a remote area near Punta Gorda in the winter and WiFi is difficult and VERY expensive to get. They don't even have DSL phone available. Anywho, he has worked things out with a neighbor down the street to share their service.  The neighbor is about 1/4 mile away with trees and other homes in the way. The gizmo works great in this application!

Sandra and I hope Patti is feeling better and you have all the mud cleaned off your Winnie that the neighbors from hell sprayed all over the place with their power dirt slinger. Another story for the campfire down the trail, eh?

Jeff

[ClydesdaleKevin]

Very cool!  Definately something to think about!

Kev

[leeanns24]

I have a Virgin Mobile cellular USB modem to use while we're on the road - it's prepaid; buy only the MBs you think you'll use. If you run out, you can still connect to Virgin Mobile to buy more.

Since we're not on the road enough to want to pay a monthly fee, plus when we are on the road we're on a lake or river in the middle of nowhere, prepaid works best for us.