Netbook security question

[Amethyst]

We have a Dell Inspiron Netbook running Windows 7 Starter edition, with MSE, Malwarebytes Pro, SuperAntispyware free (on demand scanning only), and the Windows firewall. All MS programs updated except Office, which needs SP3 (or is it 2?) installed. It's a 300 Mb plus download and I simply haven't had the time to deal with it yet. Firefox 9 is the browser used on it, but we do have IE 9 and it's fully updated. We just recently got a mobile stick to use for internet access, preferring that to public wifi.

So is this setup secure enough? I'm almost afraid to ask this, I know this might open a whole can of worms. I'm biased toward not having to add another firewall, as I realize that erring in configuring these things could actually make things worse. For example, I misunderstood Outpost's settings on my laptop last year and I had it treating a hotel network as friendlier than I would have wished, when I actually wanted to achieve the exact opposite. (At least I didn't have file and printer sharing turned on!)

We'll be travelling with this for a few weeks and we'll need to check bank accounts and pay some bills using this netbook.

[David H. Lipman]

We have a Dell Inspiron Netbook running Windows 7 Starter edition, with MSE, Malwarebytes Pro, SuperAntispyware free (on demand scanning only), and the Windows firewall. All MS programs updated except Office, which needs SP3 (or is it 2?) installed. It's a 300 Mb plus download and I simply haven't had the time to deal with it yet. Firefox 9 is the browser used on it, but we do have IE 9 and it's fully updated. We just recently got a mobile stick to use for internet access, preferring that to public wifi.

So is this setup secure enough? I'm almost afraid to ask this, I know this might open a whole can of worms. I'm biased toward not having to add another firewall, as I realize that erring in configuring these things could actually make things worse. For example, I misunderstood Outpost's settings on my laptop last year and I had it treating a hotel network as friendlier than I would have wished, when I actually wanted to achieve the exact opposite. (At least I didn't have file and printer sharing turned on!)

We'll be travelling with this for a few weeks and we'll need to check bank accounts and pay some bills using this netbook.

Then I suggest using a Cellular Broadband card and NOT to use Hotel Internet or Internet Cafe's, etc.

[Amethyst]

Then I suggest using a Cellular Broadband card and NOT to use Hotel Internet or Internet Cafe's, etc.

Thanks for your reply, David.

With this stick, we wouldn't be using hotel internet or internet cafe's at all, which is what we wanted to avoid. The stick connects us directly to the provider's network (in this case, Rogers, which provides wireless internet and cell phone service). This stick plugs into a USB port on the netbook and the Rogers connection manager software connects us to the Rogers service. There's a SIM card in the stick, like what a cell phone has. This way, we wouldn't need to use anyone's wifi.

[DarkSnakeKobra]

Personally, I'd recommend a 3rd party(two-way) firewall as extra security. You may also want to install TrueCrypt for full disk encryption and KeyScramblerFree(IE and Firefox supported only in free).

[David H. Lipman]

Thanks for your reply, David.

With this stick, we wouldn't be using hotel internet or internet cafe's at all, which is what we wanted to avoid. The stick connects us directly to the provider's network (in this case, Rogers, which provides wireless internet and cell phone service). This stick plugs into a USB port on the netbook and the Rogers connection manager software connects us to the Rogers service. There's a SIM card in the stick, like what a cell phone has. This way, we wouldn't need to use anyone's wifi.

Then you are all set.

Personally, I'd recommend a 3rd party(two-way) firewall as extra security. You may also want to install TrueCrypt for full disk encryption and KeyScramblerFree(IE and Firefox supported only in free).

TrueCrypt is a good idea in case there is theft of the notebook but it won't help when online and/or when one is logged in.

[DarkSnakeKobra]

Then you are all set.

TrueCrypt is a good idea in case there is theft of the notebook but it won't help when online and/or when one is logged in.

Yep I loved it on Windows which now run LUKS on Linux(still use truecrypt for containers). KeyScrambler Free does well for encrypting your browser keystrokes, but only the premium/professional will encrypt typing in other programs like office, logging in and several other program support.

[Amethyst]

Thanks, guys!

[DarkSnakeKobra]

You're welcome.