Digerati said:
You always have to worry about privacy and security - it is just easier when all your data is not being broadcast 100s of yards in all directions.
So you MUST ensure your firewall is up, Windows is fully updated, and your anti-malware solution is running and current. Then you must avoid risky behavior like illegal filesharing via torrents and P2P sites, or visiting illegal porn or gambling site, or being what I call "click-happy" with unsolicited links, attachments, and downloads.
Sorry! I had no intention of scaring you. Those are the same "safe computing practices" used on our home computers and home networks - we just need remain a little more conscious of them when traveling. That's all - so we don't let our guard down in unfamiliar surroundings.
So, except ensuring you have sharing disabled (which should be automatic when connecting to a "public" network) this is no different, and easy, especially with newer versions of Windows.
Notebooks were created for road warriors - millions and millions of people who, almost on a daily basis, carry their personal, and company secrets on their notebooks while traveling and they remain secure. Making sure it is updated, and secure before hitting the road is simply checking tire pressures and fluid levels.
Seriously, your biggest problem is "
physical security" - making sure your notebook doesn't get left behind somewhere, or grow legs and wonder off when you aren't paying attention.
Use good passwords.
(If you are having problems with malware or hackers at home now with this notebook, then we should deal with that before hitting the road.)
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I see Corrine added something while I was typing and I agree with everything but would emphasis if you don't need Java, get rid of it. Critical new vulnerabilities are constantly being discovered, and Oracle has a history of pushing out underdeveloped patches that are less than effective. Consequently, Homeland Security's ,
US-Computer Emergency Readiness Team recommends as a solution to "Disable Java in Web Browsers". I uninstalled Java several months ago and have not missed it.
