question about internet access OTR...

Why waste the money paying for SLOW and VERY unsecured wifi? If you figure how much you pay and the LITTLE amount of time you get to use it it's a LARGE waste of money! If someone parks between you and the antenna your speed drops to slower than dial up and if too many people get on it then it slows down also. Then the security of WIFI is really putting your passwords and identity on the line! Why pay for a part time internet? or for several of them? You HAVE to be at a truck stop to use it! Broad band is almost in every area (depending on your providers coverage area) you are and is there when you need it!

WIFI is becoming the biggest way people are loosing their identity as it's to insecure as Copy cat sites spring up at truck stops, motels and other "free" places and you sign on to them thinking you are actually signing on to the real site! There was a driver that actually got arrested in Des Moines at the Pilot who had a copycat that overpowered the WIFI and had a ton of names,and information and was running this deal out of a Freightliner! Pilot got courious and called the cops on him and it was just luck he hadn't sold or used the information!

Then you have the "morons" who actually try and sometimes succeed in using windows explorer or other programs to hack into your computer! Before I went broadband I used the wifi at the truck stops and it never failed, some idiot trying to get into my computer!

If you insist on using these sites do not open any of your bank accounts, email or broswers that use a password to open! If it has to do with anything important in your life I'd stay away! For browsing porn well have at it!

Being cheap is one thing but too cheap is another! LOL

 

sorry. I guess I just assumed everything you said went without saying. apparently not haha. Problem with an air card (for me) is the 2 year contract and 5 gig limit. I have been driving OTR on and off. I would hate to sign another contract, then not need it. I have been there once, and paying the 200 dollar cancellation fee sucks. Then again, those pre pay ones are charging that much for the device. Perhaps its one of those "six of one, half a dozen of the other" scenarios. Although the pre paid would be nice to be able to turn it "on" and "off" from month to month. From the research I did last night, Slingshot is the way to go by far, except the financial troubles they are in. Cricket does not work in my area, and Virgin wants 60 a month with a ONE gig cap.

 

What advice about internet carriers????

I've got another question for you guys. Coolbreezin and I are looking into internet service to help save money on the phone bills. What service are you guys finding is the best and hopefully most economical? Not sure which will get the best reception out there and of course don't wanna go broke paying for it...any suggestions?????????
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stay away from WIFI sites such as at motels hotels McDonald's and others ones as they can be hacked very easily!
I used my cell carriers broadband. Yes it's like $69 a month but to me well worth it. Just use one that has a LOT of coverage area! Look at their map on line to decide. And when I say on line I mean to open it up and pan in and you'll be surprised at what their coverage really is as it looks so much better in the little format than when panned in on !
Broadband is secure so there is way less of a problem of getting hacked except if you get hit with some stupid email or such with a trojan or virus in it or go to a bad web site. Broadband is also way faster than a wifi site. If you are tempted to hit a wifi site DO NOT go to your bank, credit card or other web site that you have money attached to!

 

ATT and Verizon are the only two I would personally use. It depends on which one has better coverage in your area. Generally Verizon has better coverage overall, but depending on where you are it can vary greatly.

I would agree with Rollover in erring on the side of caution with public access points. Generally when it comes to things like bank accounts most of the security is server-side anyway but it's nice to not have to worry. As with any computer connected to the internet, good anti-virus software is a must. Kaspersky or NOD-32 are personal favorites of mine. They're both relatively inexpensive and do the job with much less hassle and slowdown than programs like Mcafee and Norton.

 

If you want a cheap slow connection, try boost, $.35 a day for unlimited internet on pay as u go. its on the nextel network, not the most reliable network out there, but is a bang for the buck. I use it, and have the unlimited plan for $50 a month. For the net on my 'puter i googled "IDEN MODEM DRIVER", downloaded it and installed it, and hooked up my phone though a usb port, and i have dial up. It ant fancy, but is cheap, can pickup a cheap new phone at walmart for around $30 bucks, and use a usb 2 cable from a digital camera, or buy one from the 'shack for about $20.

It works for me, i have BAD credit and little money, just a little helpful info if u want it.

If u want to go this route, PM me and i will to give you more detailed info about setting it up.

 

i have a sprint phone and use a sprint air card on the plan for $50 a mo.