New lap top question.

[I Shooter]

It works just as you said it would. Thank you much. The user ID thing what do I need to do.

[Sid]

Would you mind if I get back to you a bit later, maybe tomorrow on this one?

I want to double check the Windows 7 stuff, and I need my laptop to do that, and that is at home (and I'm at work atm).

[I Shooter]

That is great. I will check back later to see if you have any information for me. Thanks much for what you have all ready dun for me.

[Sid]

That is great. I will check back later to see if you have any information for me. Thanks much for what you have all ready dun for me.

Seeing as you've voiced concerns about affecting usability, I'd recommend adjusting the UAC (Start -> Control Panel -> User Accounts and Family Safety -> User Accounts -> Change User Account Control settings.

There is a slider there that explains the different levels.

Basically what this will do is notify (make the screen greyed out with a pop up) when certain actions are about to take place, such as installing a new piece of software.  This just makes sure you actually want to install/change the settings, so if something comes up unexpectedly then it's probably something you don't want to run.

This shouldn't affect usablity too much, but it will add a layer of security.  Obviously it's not the best solution, but I think, given your concerns, it's appropriate and suitable.

[I Shooter]

That sounds good, I will do it. Thank you much for all the help. I hope that we are good to go now. I did have one more question. If the lap top picks up a bug is it possible to give it to the other computers on our system? I told the wife that it couldn't because there isn't any sharing. Is that true?

[Sid]

Ultimately the short answer is yes, but in all probablity the answer is no.

Just make sure you've got some anti-virus and anti-malware protection and you should be ok.

Also, make sure it's updated regularly and it actually runs (as in a full scan) at least once a week.  I'd suggest you schedule this time when the machine is on, but not being used (as when scans run using the PC can be painfully slow).

Something like:

Anti-virus:
Microsoft Security Essentials
Avast!

Anti-malware:
Malwarebytes (free version will do)
Spybot Search and Destroy
Windows Defender

[I Shooter]

We use Avast, Malwarebytes and Spybot. I run them all every other week. Thank you much for all your time and help.

[I Shooter]

The other day I picked up a Belkin Wireless G Desktop card for the computer in our travel trailer and put it in. The disk that came with it was of little use. It did have the drivers. So I called our internet provider to help me get it working. They helped then it quit working. I called Belkin to help me get it working. I had no idea that they would have me change just about every thing that you had me do. Then after I was finished and the trailer computer was working. I checked the wife's computer and it wasn't. So I called them back and they helped me get it going. They had me change WPA2 to the last setting on the list and a lot of other stuff. I have no idea if it is safe or not. I know that I don't trust them. I asked him was it safe and he said Oh there is no way for some one to get to your stuff. I know that is a lie. I now have two wired computers and two wireless computers on this system. How can I check to see if it is safe like you had me set it up?

[soybean]

Do you now know how to access your router control/admin panel via web browser?  If so, just open it and check whether WPA or WPA2 encryption is enabled.  If it is, then you're OK.

[I Shooter]

It is set to WEP.

[soybean]

WEP is not as secure as WPA but it's much better than no encryption.  WEP vs WPA

[I Shooter]

I started out with no encryption so I guess this is better than I was. I just don't understand why he had me change it from WPA2. Is there a reason I am not seeing? Is it because I added a computer? Will WPA2 only take care of one wireless computer? I think I am going to call them back and find out what is going on.

[soybean]

Is it because I added a computer? Will WPA2 only take care of one wireless computer?

No, more than one computer should be no problem.  It simply involves setting up WPA2 on each computer and using the same WPA password on all wireless computers, and that password must be the same as the one used in the router to enable WPA. 

The only reason I can think of, regarding Belkin setting up WEP instead of WPA, is that the person may have been uncertain or had some difficulty setting up WPA and decided to go the easier route and use WEP.  Setting up WPA can involve choosing between such options as WPA2, WPA2-Personal, and, in conjunction with that, also having to select TKIP or AES.  But, I would think they would surely be knowledgeable enough to get WPA2 set up for you. 

Some more info: http://www.openxtra.co.uk/articles/wpa-vs-80211i

[I Shooter]

I just got off the phone with them and it is set up now WPA2. I feel much better. I went out to the trailer and tried to set it back up. No luck. It sees the connection but can't connect to it. I hope when I get an antenna that every thing will work fine. I should bring it back in the house and make the connection. It is just a real pain to get all the TV cables unhooked. Thanks once more for all your help.