up vote 1 down vote favorite
share [g+] share [fb]

My new laptop will arrive in a few days, and much as I would prefer to avoid it, this time I'll be keeping Windows (going back to school and I'm sure some of the professors will expect everyone to use it). So now I have to think about all the security problems I never have to worry about with Linux.

The very first thing I want to do when it arrives is make sure it's not connected to the internet until I can install the antivirus software that I just downloaded. Obviously I won't plug in any cables, but it might pick up a wi-fi signal or something -- you know Windows, it's so helpful, always doing things without being told. How do I make sure it's totally disconnected? I suppose good old ping will work? If it is online, how do I disconnect?

link|improve this question
i would not worry too much about the security of windows7, m$ invested a pretty decent sum into security. check out also blogs.computerworld.com/18791/… – akira Aug 22 '11 at 11:10
2  
Jeez, why do you think Windows just connects to.. "somewhere" when you don't explicitly deactivate the wireless device? Wow, talk about paranoid. – sinni800 Aug 22 '11 at 12:07
1  
XP used to have nasty habit of connecting to any unsecured networks it found. It's not an issue with 7 though. – Col Aug 22 '11 at 14:42
Hmm, sounds like M$ finally managed to get their act together on security. High time. – Tom Zych Aug 22 '11 at 23:47
feedback

2 Answers

up vote 7 down vote accepted

Disable the wireless adapter through Network and Sharing Center → Change Adapter Settings.

link|improve this answer
Very specific, that should do, thank you. – Tom Zych Aug 22 '11 at 11:04
The best and most reliable way! – BloodPhilia Aug 22 '11 at 11:14
feedback
up vote 1 down vote

Usually laptops have a switch for activating/deactivating Wifi. If no cable is plugged in and Wifi is disabled, I think you can be sure there's no cloud connection ;)

link|improve this answer
3  
I think it's still called "Internet connection". – grawity Aug 22 '11 at 11:02
There's no standard place to find this switch? – Tom Zych Aug 22 '11 at 11:03
1  
@Tom Zych - Laptop Designs are not standard. Just look for it, I think your over thinking this "security issue" to be honest, you don't instantly get infected with Windows 7, which unless you format your computer is what you will be using. – Ramhound Aug 22 '11 at 11:06
1  
@Ramhound: yes, years ago. not the case anymore with windows7. there were also times when you could sneak into unix mainframes by the use of finger. so, get over it. :) – akira Aug 22 '11 at 12:10
1  
@Tom - that's extremely unlikely if you are connected to a router with a firewall and you don't go surfing the web before you've installed the AV software. – ChrisF Aug 22 '11 at 12:11
show 6 more comments
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown
discard

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.