Next G Wireless Security

If you are using the USB or PC Card version of the modem, the wireless connection will not be shared for other wireless devices to use, so you have no problems with others using up your (expensive) bandwidth.

I think if you are using the larger dual ariel modem, it is possible to have other users connect to it. you then need to turn on mac address filtering in the device configuration, and only allow your own mac address to connect to it. I am not 100% sure that the device is a router, someone else will know.

Talking Next G, reception (we were in Central Western Qld) was great, we kept checking for signals every time we saw one of the television repeaters and 80% had a Next G signal was not that good with my old CDMA. Hope it works well for you.
Cheers Bruce

G'day Birds, should be ok to use that anti virus and the windows firewall is a lot more configeralble than the the XP one and stronger I feel. You may crash the QMICM which is the connection manager but have no fear as I find that the normal dial up networking does a great job on Vista. Set it to dial *99# with your account name and password and it will feel very familiar on connection. Don't set any special parameters. The modem manufacturers have a Forum at Site Link and I find it useful to browse.

I bought an external antenna that came with no mounting so a scavenged magnetic base to keep it upright. I got out of Warraweena this week with it to the amazement of a few including Stoney and Gina. Just found a sweet spot and it seemed quick too, even though I have the 256kbs $50 a month account. The antenna is a base loaded wire type for a CDMA/Next G phone but if you really want extended range the broomstick type would be good.

I saw one guy the other day that had his modem fixed in the car and the setup connected to a broomstick antenna. The secondary antenna can be removed by the way, it has a role in sniffing out other towers and is unnecessary in rural areas, even cities according to responses from Maxon on the forum.

Hello Birds. Three important security considerations. Don't leave it in your car. Carry a map in case the batteries go flat and you need to work out where you are. Caryy a pen/pencil and paper/postcards in case your email fails. Have a good trip but do you really need a computer to travel around Oz?

Apart from the physical security, two things come to mind.

One you have already mentioned, AVG Anti Virus is a good start.
As well as this you should install a Firewall and in keeping with free stuff, Zone Alarm Firewall is as good a product as most. This will block hackers and other unknown threats from doing damage to your system while online.

There is no way that anyone can intercept your radio signal on a Next-G wireless system like they can from an 802.11 wireless router that is not secured. Just the same as no one can eves drop on your Next-G, CDMA or GSM phone. A Next-G wireless modem is just a Next-G phone that is dedicated to digital info instead of voice.

PeterD