Should I buy my parents a Rogers 4G Rocketstick?

[ConsoleWatcher]

Right now my parents have DSL internet through teksavvy, with an ethernet connection from the modem to their laptop. However, they would also like to be able to use the internet elsewhere in the house. I see that Rogers has a 4G prepaid rocketstick for $149.99, with a 100mb/$10 rate, which I believe would be enough for their everyday use. I was wondering; how easy would the technology be to use for them? As well, how is the security for 4G devices? Is is possible for them to accidentally defeat the built-in security measures? (They wouldn't be trying to deliberately do it). Any opinions?

[acemart]

buy them a router instead.

[acemobile]

buy them a router instead.

This would be the smart thing to do. Costs you less than $100 for a really good one, less than $50 for a decent one.

[blcmagic]

Right now my parents have DSL internet through teksavvy, with an ethernet connection from the modem to their laptop. However, they would also like to be able to use the internet elsewhere in the house. I see that Rogers has a 4G prepaid rocketstick for $149.99, with a 100mb/$10 rate, which I believe would be enough for their everyday use. I was wondering; how easy would the technology be to use for them? As well, how is the security for 4G devices? Is is possible for them to accidentally defeat the built-in security measures? (They wouldn't be trying to deliberately do it). Any opinions?
KISS principle. A basic wireless router will be well under $100 while you maintain a more stable Internet connection. If you like over complicating things then get a rocketstick.

[ConsoleWatcher]

The problem with a wireless router is that I don't know a lot about installing them/securing them. Are most router both easy to set up and protect against unauthorized access? Again, is it possible for my parents to accidentally disable the security features in the router (for example, by turning it off) I'm reading that there are new vulnerabilities in "Wi-Fi protected setup"?

[acemobile]

The problem with a wireless router is that I don't know a lot about installing them/securing them. Are most router both easy to set up and protect against unauthorized access? Again, is it possible for my parents to accidentally disable the security features in the router (for example, by turning it off) I'm reading that there are new vulnerabilities in "Wi-Fi protected setup"?

These days routers are very easy to setup. Unless someone really really wants to get into your network, it's very secure.

Just pick up a router and come back here, I'm sure we can help you set it up.

[wilsonlam97]

Turn off Wifi-protected setup (WPS) and just use WPA2 personal. It's pretty safe to use.

I don't see why anyone would pay more for the freedom of internet mobility in your own home.

[Techgeek32]

As the others say, a rooter will work great for your parents. It's easy to setup it and change password.

[ConsoleWatcher]

Ok, so I decided to get a router, looked up what I needed to do to set it up and secure it, etc. I understand that if a router was set up and working properly, but for whatever reason stops working, a "soft reset" can be used to get it back to normal. Would these "soft resets" erase the changes I made to the router (dsl account information, security settings, etc..). I don't leave near my parents so I don't want to have to re-enable all the settings.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, is it possible for my parents to accidentally remove the security settings I've added? From what I understand the only way that they could accidentally do that is by a "Hard reset" and then it wouldn't really matter because the modem would lose the dsl account info too, and their computer is firewalled.

[gnuman]

What router did you end up getting and also what kind of modem do they have for TSI? Seems strange that it stops working. It must be a config issue. What type of network is it G or N?

[ConsoleWatcher]

What router did you end up getting and also what kind of modem do they have for TSI? Seems strange that it stops working. It must be a config issue. What type of network is it G or N?

I'll be using a D-Link DSL-2740B Router/Modem combo with N (if I can't get N working, then G). I haven't set it up yet.

[george__]

I'll be using a D-Link DSL-2740B Router/Modem combo with N (if I can't get N working, then G). I haven't set it up yet.

setup wpa2-personal for the wifi with a longish password (at least 8 characters with some number letters and symbols)

for example instead of using a use @ :P

[ConsoleWatcher]

setup wpa2-personal for the wifi with a longish password (at least 8 characters with some number letters and symbols)

for example instead of using a use @ :P

Is there any way that they might accidentally remove the password (resetting or otherwise)?

[george__]

Is there any way that they might accidentally remove the password (resetting or otherwise)?
Yup. For example if they are using Windows, the wireless profile might get deleted (if they install a software by accident) but more likely then not, it shouldn't get removed.
Same thing with the router... Unless there is some feature in the router that causes it to blank back to default after x amount of time, the settings should stay the same.

[ConsoleWatcher]

Yup. For example if they are using Windows, the wireless profile might get deleted (if they install a software by accident) but more likely then not, it shouldn't get removed.
Same thing with the router... Unless there is some feature in the router that causes it to blank back to default after x amount of time, the settings should stay the same.

So, if that happened, the wireless profile that got deleted that would remove the laptop's access to the router until I set up the profile again; it wouldn't actually remove WPA2 password protection from the router?

[george__]

So, if that happened, the wireless profile that got deleted that would remove the laptop's access to the router until I set up the profile again; it wouldn't actually remove WPA2 password protection from the router?
Correct. Unless the router itself lost power and has a feature where it restores settings back to default after x amount of time. <-- I have a Linksys Router that does this but no clue about the router you bought sorry.

[wilsonlam97]

A million face palms has rained on OP.

[george__]

A million face palms has rained on OP.

FOR my part -> I didn't mean to confuse OP. Just gave OP all the scenarios...

[wilsonlam97]

FOR my part -> I didn't mean to confuse OP. Just gave OP all the scenarios...

Its kinda troubling to see someone who lacks the ability to use a computer and have parents who are able to use them as well.

Maybe OP isn't fluent in English and I got it all wrong...

[ConsoleWatcher]

Its kinda troubling to see someone who lacks the ability to use a computer and have parents who are able to use them as well.

Maybe OP isn't fluent in English and I got it all wrong...

I'm familiar with computers, it's simply that wireless technology is something that I haven't really had much experience with; it would be like an engineer on a ship being told by the captain "we're thinking about adding a helicopter to our ship, how much do you know about helicopters?

[george__]

I'm familiar with computers, it's simply that wireless technology is something that I haven't really had much experience with; it would be like an engineer on a ship being told by the captain "we're thinking about adding a helicopter to our ship, how much do you know about helicopters?

lol. Well tell us how it goes!

[wilsonlam97]

I'm familiar with computers, it's simply that wireless technology is something that I haven't really had much experience with; it would be like an engineer on a ship being told by the captain "we're thinking about adding a helicopter to our ship, how much do you know about helicopters?

Good point. I guess it is a different realm of technology in that sense. Thanks for giving me another perspective. Its been a long day...

[george__]

Good point. I guess it is a different realm of technology in that sense. Thanks for giving me another perspective. Its been a long day...

Get better!

[infamouskid]

dude.. get a router.
for your parents needs ANY 40.00 router will do.
my vote goes to tplink tl-1034nd with tomato usb or openwrt or even stock.
plug it in and follow the instruction guide in the box with the cd.
save yourself tons of money every month man.

[george__]

dude.. get a router.
for your parents needs ANY 40.00 router will do.
my vote goes to tplink tl-1034nd with tomato usb or openwrt or even stock.
plug it in and follow the instruction guide in the box with the cd.
save yourself tons of money every month man.

tomato or openwrt might confuse the OP even further ...

[wilsonlam97]

tomato or openwrt might confuse the OP even further ...

Yeah. Also I'll be happy to sell my trusty tp-link. I have a e3200 now.

[Jimboski]

Yeah. Also I'll be happy to sell my trusty tp-link. I have a e3200 now.

WLam!

[kanasta]

Just to add something, I've got an rt-n66u recently. Really happy with this router, if you are not familiar about setting an router, It has really simple Gui (interface)
you can try it here and see by yourself: http://event.asus.com/2012/nw/dummy_ui/en/
I was replacing my old good wrt54gl that I had since 2006 running ddwrt, but that is not for you.
I've got near as many as 20 wireless clients connected to it and so far after 1 month not even an single connection drop. Range is good also. It's a little bit pricey but very simple to setup, It does everything for you. More advanced options are available as well like vpn, Qos, parental control and more

I got mine from http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/240572/ASUS/RT_N66U/