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Old 09-01-2015, 04:29 PM   #1
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Wilson Cell Booster/Verizon Hotspot Mifi Questions

Is anyone using their Wilson cradle inside a cabinet? from using it in the car it seems to get pretty warm.

Getting the Verizon Jetpack Mifi before heading west next week, how secure are these? Is it okay to do banking over it via Wifi to my laptop?
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Old 09-01-2015, 04:37 PM   #2
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Is anyone using their Wilson cradle inside a cabinet? from using it in the car it seems to get pretty warm.

Getting the Verizon Jetpack Mifi before heading west next week, how secure are these? Is it okay to do banking over it via Wifi to my laptop?
Bob you should be ok, as you should have a password protected secure connection between your laptop and the MiFi. it is unsecured public WIFI hotspots that should be avoided for anything sensitive - according to my friend who works in computer security.
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Old 09-01-2015, 04:50 PM   #3
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Bob you should be ok, as you should have a password protected secure connection between your laptop and the MiFi. it is unsecured public WIFI hotspots that should be avoided for anything sensitive - according to my friend who works in computer security.
Even those unsecured public WiFi spots are okay, as long as you are using a VPN to encrypt all of your web traffic. There are plenty of providers who will sell you a subscription for access, or if you're a geek (like me), you can install your own VPN server and log into it each time you access the web from a public WiFi location.
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Old 09-01-2015, 05:23 PM   #4
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Is anyone using their Wilson cradle inside a cabinet? from using it in the car it seems to get pretty warm.

Getting the Verizon Jetpack Mifi before heading west next week, how secure are these? Is it okay to do banking over it via Wifi to my laptop?
I keep mine in the 17's front overhead driver's side cabinet, and yes, it gets a bit warm with the cabinet closed. I leave the cabinet open except when on the road, and usually shut down the WiFi while driving unless I'm in an area that is not covered by my AT&T iPhone.

One interesting problem - I have the MHS291LVW hotspot, which has a swelling battery problem. I've already replaced one, and the replacement is starting to swell as well. I suspect the additional heat of the Sleek doesn't help. One other thing - the side pieces on the Sleek block the power connector on the Sleek. I leave them off on the power receptacle side of the MiFi, and use a rubber band to hold it in the Sleek.

I do my banking with the MiFi. To keep others from using your data allowance, use a password that is not obvious. The WiFi coverage can include an area far larger than your trailer...
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Old 09-01-2015, 05:36 PM   #5
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Getting the Verizon Jetpack Mifi before heading west next week, how secure are these?
We've gone the opposite direction. We started out with the Verizon Jetpack Mifi. We were really disappointed with it's abilities in the US South West. We've switched to the Wilson Sleek and think that's it's so much better. But different provider and different areas, no side by side testing, but we really weren't impressed with the mifi in the South West.

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Old 09-01-2015, 05:39 PM   #6
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A Hotspot (or MiFi) is very secure, assuming you configure it correctly -- very similar to a home router actually.
As already mentioned, you should create a new secure password (don't use the default passwords). Also, for added security, you can usually modify the hotspot's settings so that it will work only with your computers and other portable devices (by entering the Mac Address of each device). The instruction manual should explain how to do this.
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Old 09-01-2015, 05:55 PM   #7
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Swelling rechargeable batteries, if a Lithium type, is a serious risk issue as Lithium compounds, once ignited, can not be extinguished by normal compounds we carry in trailers. Definitely check for a recall as a safety issue or demand replacement if under warranty. Did a LOT of research on battery safety issues for portable medical devices (like AEDs in airports) and wound up with a couple of US Patents on safety methods to construct the battery power modules for them.
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