I currently have a desktop iMac running 10.5.8 off a password protected airport signal from my Comcast Modem. Does the password protect not only signals coming into my computer but also signals coming from my computer, such as when I send email?

If I buy a laptop and use it in a place like a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi, how do I keep others from accessing my computer and at the same time provide security for any data I send from my computer to the internet? I currently have my Firewall set to only allow Essential Services.

I don't have specific answers to your questions, but both of these issues and more have been covered extensively in the iBBS (try searching the iBBS), and by Terry at one of the previous meetings. You might even check out Terry's Blog.

Another source for info is the Help menu while in your System Preferences /Security.

quote:

Does the password protect not only signals coming into my computer but also signals coming from my computer, such as when I send email?

Yes. Having a password means your data is being encrypted between the wireless access point and your computer.

quote:

If I buy a laptop and use it in a place like a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi, how do I keep others from accessing my computer and at the same time provide security for any data I send from my computer to the internet? I currently have my Firewall set to only allow Essential Services.

Turn off any Sharing you have turned on your system preferences. That will prevent anyone from getting into your system.

As for protecting your wireless data - you would need to set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) between you and some server. There are companies that will sell you this capability. This will encrypt all your data between the computer and the wireless access point. However, it's not a cheap or easy thing to do.

More practically, you should make sure you access any commerce web sites with https: (like Amazon, etc). That is, if you *must* make a purchase while at an unsecured router.

If you access mail through a web browser, the same applies. If you access mail via Mail, Entourage, or some other program, you should connect via SSL if your ISP allows it. You'll need to find this out from your ISP, and you will need to look at your specific program to set up SLL access to your mail.