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04-20-2016, 01:24 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Somerset
Posts: 119
M.O.C. #7632
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Secure temporary line?
I will be moving to a new home June 1st, but until then I plan to be working from the Montana. I am looking for a secure internet connection. Any you can recommend? Any to stay away from? TIA
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04-20-2016, 03:02 AM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Republic
Posts: 257
M.O.C. #16103
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Hi JacknBetsy,
It is more secure to provide you own internet connection than rely on one provided by someone else such as a campground or Starbucks or whomever.
You have at least a couple of choices to be able to do this. If you have a smartphone, it can most likely be setup to provide a hotspot function that will allow your wireless devices internet access through your phone's internet service. Check with you provider if you are unsure if you have this available to you.
The second option is to purchase a (new or used) standalone hotspot. Verizon calls them a "MiFi" or "Jetpack". These provide the same wireless internet connectivity as your phone's hotspot but don't require your phone.
Either of these options do use data on your cellular phone plan. Be aware how much and what you surf. Unless you have an unlimited plan, watching a movie or lots of video or doing firmware updates on several devices will quickly burn through several Gigabytes of data.
When setting up your own wireless hotspot, be sure to set it up to use "WPA2" (NOT WEP!) encryption with at least a 10 character password that contains upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character like "!,@,#,$,etc". This prevents unauthorized people from using your hotspot and burning through you data allocation or having access to your internet communications. Also, change the administrator password on the hotspot, this prevents other people from changing your settings and thereby gaining access to your computers, etc.
Another option if you're really paranoid about security and are willing to put up with decreased internet performance is to use a VPN service. A link to an article detailing how VPNs work, what the considerations are, and a review of several services can be found here: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403388,00.asp
Give the above article a read and then you will be able to better decide whether the overhead of a VPN is something you need.
I personally do not use a VPN for normal internet communications, only for accessing my employer's corporate network. I use a Verizon MiFi for mobile internet access and occasionally the hotspot function on my Android or iPhone.
I hope the above info is helpful. I know this stuff can be confusing, but the above has most of the bases covered and provides adequate data security / protection for most activities including personal banking.
Its important to remember there are no guarantees regarding data security. NOTHING is hacker proof, but the above steps do provide a decent level of protection.
Dave
__________________
Dave, Barb, and Paisley the Wonder Wiemeraner
Was - 2015 3160RL Legacy Edition & 2014 F350 6.7l PSD SRW Platinum
Now - SOB
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04-20-2016, 03:05 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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We have the ellipsis jet pack from Verizon. Works great, and completely mobile.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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04-20-2016, 05:10 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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We also use Verizon with a grandfathered 40 gig plan.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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04-20-2016, 05:45 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 505
M.O.C. #14162
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AT&T MIFI w/30 gig program. Is sufficient for us and I use 40 hours/week for work, including opening several PDF documents.
__________________
Steve & Sheryl Engels
2018 Montana 3790RD
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04-20-2016, 06:25 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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Excellent advice & well explained!
Remember, signal strength also is a factor in how fast your hotspot is on both the phone and the MiFi/Jetpack. The more bars, the better
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Starmaster
Hi JacknBetsy,
It is more secure to provide you own internet connection than rely on one provided by someone else such as a campground or Starbucks or whomever.
You have at least a couple of choices to be able to do this. If you have a smartphone, it can most likely be setup to provide a hotspot function that will allow your wireless devices internet access through your phone's internet service. Check with you provider if you are unsure if you have this available to you.
The second option is to purchase a (new or used) standalone hotspot. Verizon calls them a "MiFi" or "Jetpack". These provide the same wireless internet connectivity as your phone's hotspot but don't require your phone.
Either of these options do use data on your cellular phone plan. Be aware how much and what you surf. Unless you have an unlimited plan, watching a movie or lots of video or doing firmware updates on several devices will quickly burn through several Gigabytes of data.
When setting up your own wireless hotspot, be sure to set it up to use "WPA2" (NOT WEP!) encryption with at least a 10 character password that contains upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character like "!,@,#,$,etc". This prevents unauthorized people from using your hotspot and burning through you data allocation or having access to your internet communications. Also, change the administrator password on the hotspot, this prevents other people from changing your settings and thereby gaining access to your computers, etc.
Another option if you're really paranoid about security and are willing to put up with decreased internet performance is to use a VPN service. A link to an article detailing how VPNs work, what the considerations are, and a review of several services can be found here: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403388,00.asp
Give the above article a read and then you will be able to better decide whether the overhead of a VPN is something you need.
I personally do not use a VPN for normal internet communications, only for accessing my employer's corporate network. I use a Verizon MiFi for mobile internet access and occasionally the hotspot function on my Android or iPhone.
I hope the above info is helpful. I know this stuff can be confusing, but the above has most of the bases covered and provides adequate data security / protection for most activities including personal banking.
Its important to remember there are no guarantees regarding data security. NOTHING is hacker proof, but the above steps do provide a decent level of protection.
Dave
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__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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04-20-2016, 09:29 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 180
M.O.C. #11886
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If you have a reasonably current model iPad with LTE abilities, it too can become a hotspot, no new hardware to purchase.
If mobility is not a concern, ie working from RV in a site, not moving, consider cable or telco provider that services the park. Usually more data for less $, often incentives for new customers too. No marginal reception either.
-Steve
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04-20-2016, 09:43 AM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Eureka Springs
Posts: 432
M.O.C. #17829
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Thanks, Dave. Very informative.
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04-20-2016, 02:08 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,795
M.O.C. #7560
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You da man, Dave!
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04-20-2016, 05:10 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Republic
Posts: 257
M.O.C. #16103
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Thanks for the comments. Glad to hear the info was helpful. There's also good info in the other posts as well. Computer security, system operations, and networking paid the bills for over 36 years so I have a bit of experience fighting and taming computers/networks
Dave
__________________
Dave, Barb, and Paisley the Wonder Wiemeraner
Was - 2015 3160RL Legacy Edition & 2014 F350 6.7l PSD SRW Platinum
Now - SOB
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04-28-2016, 04:29 AM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 107
M.O.C. #13254
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We also use the Verizon Jet Pack. We run 20gig plan and then shared data on our smart phones. Has worked really well for us, 2 laptops and an IPad.
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04-28-2016, 11:16 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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We share 18 gig from Verizon over 2 phones and 1 tablet. Use my Galaxy S5 as a hotspot to connect the MacBook when needed. Works great for us full timers. 18 gig is plenty for us as we do not use it for work. Your mileage could vary!
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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