Is it safe to use a credit card on wifi internet access?

Question

I've always used my home pc before. Now I have a laptop conected to the internet through a wireless router.

Answer 1

You really got the best answer from Elfageek. I've had wireless on my desktop for nearly 2 years, and use my credit card frequently. But do follow his instructions to set up WPA security, and the last thing you do is to stop broadcasting a signal. That prevents anyone from picking up your signal. And mostly what wardrivers are looking for isn't your credit card, it's free internet access. So do your homework and it will be fine.

Answer 2

Yes, it's safe to use a credit card, provided you have WPA encryption enabled.

You can access the settings of your wireless router/modem opening your browser (Internet Explorer, for example) and typing in it's IP address, for example:

Linksys's, Trendnet IP is http://192.168.1.1
Netgear and D-Link http://192.168.0.1
Belkin, USRobotics http://192.168.2.1

Then, look for the security settings of the wireless connection and set it to WPA or WPA-PSK, TKIP and make your own passphrase.

When all is set, double click on your laptop's wireless connection's icon in the system tray and connect manually to the now "secure wireless network" entering the passphrase that you set up in the router.

Still stuck? Look in the wireless router's manual to learn how to secure your connection.

Answer 3

Set up encryption on your wireless.

Packets are easier sniffed if someone is using wireless, but it's doubtful that there is someone "war driving" outside your house to get your credit card info.

Answer 4

I wouldn't suggest using your credit card over wireless but if you have to, as long as the padlock is closed in the browser, it should be secure enough for one off use only.

HTH

Answer 5

yes its safe as long as you have some sort of authentication for the wi-fi, password?