laptop wireless security

[rbell]

I'm getting my laptop ready for our trip to Fla. for the winter. I've never used one for bill paying before.
Last year I had some type of malware or spyware get in it while using MaCafee Internet security. So this year I changed to Kispersky Internet Security. One of it's features is a virtual keyboard that I use for all user names & passwords etc. Also it updates several times a day.
I've also ran CCleaner, Malwarebytes, & some other scan deal I forgot the name of. I also started using the bank security questions when signing on without letting my PC remember them. The laptop is running XP with all the updates from Microsoft.

Anyway what have I forgot?
 

[Ned]

Don't forget to take the power supply

Not letting the browser memorize your logon credentials is only effective in the event of loss or theft of the computer.  It is no protection against keyboard loggers or other malware that gets into the computer.  Same for the virtual keyboard.  They may make you feel more secure, but they really aren't that much protection.

Always using secure sites when entering personal data is a must.  If your email provider supports it, use SSL or TLS encryption for your email access.  Without those, your user name and password are sent in plain text across the network.  Be sure to turn off file and printer sharing for your WiFi adapter, if that's what you're using.  Of course, don't open any unexpected email attachments, regardless of who it appears sent it.  Use a secure browser, like Firefox with the security addons NoScript, Flash Block, and Ad Block Plus.

[John From Detroit]

In today's world Security is not really there... You watch any of the CIS type programs (Which include CIS, all e. Numbers, NCIS and NCIS la and more) the show's "hacker" can get into any account in usually less than a minute.

Real life.. takes a bit longer.. but any dedicated cracker can easily crack into your account.. The questions and answers method is a good one since one hopes the cracher won't know who your favorite teacher is or your maternal grandmother's middle name... In fact I don't know my maternal grandmother's middle name without looking it up (My daughter was kind enough to E-mail it to me a while ago)

[rbell]

Thanks Ned
I always thought the virtual keyboard would prevent keyloggers from getting the keystrokes.

John
Nobody could be as good as NCIS at hacking, could they? Thats my wifes favorite TV program. One of the questions I use is my dogs name. Jim Dick is the only person on here that has ever seen my dog and I doubt he knows her name.

The only other thing I've done is establish a checking account just for paying bills.

[Ned]

Dick, a good keylogger will capture the keystrokes as they go out to the internet, whether they were entered on the physical keyboard or the virtual keyboard.  But if you have let a keylogger into your computer, you have much bigger problems.