Is using second hand mifi safe

Glint · 30-01-2013, 20:30

Posted is in the wrong place before so reposting here (is that ok?)

Hello,

So I have just bought a used/second hand mifi device on eBay. I plan to use a new sim in it. My question is could there be any malicious software on the mifi device itself that could steal personal info or damage devices?

If so, what could I do to make sure it's safe?

Many thanks!

Hugh_ · 30-01-2013, 20:58

If I could just offer you some advice, next time ask these type of questions BEFORE buying

chrisjr · 30-01-2013, 21:23

To save repeating myself

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...55&postcount=2

jabbamk1 · 30-01-2013, 21:28

The only way to be sure there is no malicious software on the mifi is to place it on a table in front of you, invite your friends round and sit around the table and hold a séance. Then you have to ask the mifi if it has any software that may harm your pc... if it doesn't reply ask one of your friends to hold it down and then get a shovel and dig a grave and throw the mi-fi in so that no one can be affected by this evil.

In other words.... no.

jabbamk1 · 30-01-2013, 21:29

I wanted to do something different for my 1500 post. Don't judge me.

Hugh_ · 30-01-2013, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

The only way to be sure there is no malicious software on the mifi is to place it on a table in front of you, invite your friends round and sit around the table and hold a séance. Then you have to ask the mifi if it has any software that may harm your pc... if it doesn't reply ask one of your friends to hold it down and then get a shovel and dig a grave and throw the mi-fi in so that no one can be affected by this evil.

I can't quite put my finger on why, but I recon this post is a wind up

Stiggles · 30-01-2013, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

I wanted to do something different for my 1500 post. Don't judge me.

Haha!

Wish i thought of something like that for my 4,000th earlier

Glint · 30-01-2013, 21:54

Right - I'll call the nearest mystic then - phew. I hope it's a friendly mifi ghost - will it tell me the future too?

Glint · 30-01-2013, 21:56

And yes Hugh, you're right, It was a bit of a spur-of-the-moment thing....

jabbamk1 · 30-01-2013, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stiggles

Haha!

Wish i thought of something like that for my 4,000th earlier

Congrats on your 4000th!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glint

Right - I'll call the nearest mystic then - phew. I hope it's a friendly mifi ghost - will it tell me the future too?

haha, sorry mate. But like the other posters said there is no need to worry. There is nothing that the mifi can do to harm the pc/your personal data. Just put the sim card, turn it on and then connect from your pc/laptop.

Glint · 30-01-2013, 22:03

Haha - no worries - thanks for all for that. I really appreciate the help fellas.

.... Still a bit worried about potential poltergeist activity within my hard drive though....

jabbamk1 · 30-01-2013, 23:47

have you run a malwarebytes scan?

Also you can download Spybot search and destroy which is a good little application for removing anything harmful on your hard drive.

chrisjr · 31-01-2013, 11:51

Actually I notice that one of the 3 MIFi devices does have a slot for a micro SD card according to the specs. So maybe there is some potential for malicious software to lurk on it. However all you would need to do is remove the card and any threat is removed with it.

30-01-2013, 20:30	#1
Glint Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 6	Is using second hand mifi safe Posted is in the wrong place before so reposting here (is that ok?) Hello, So I have just bought a used/second hand mifi device on eBay. I plan to use a new sim in it. My question is could there be any malicious software on the mifi device itself that could steal personal info or damage devices? If so, what could I do to make sure it's safe? Many thanks!

30-01-2013, 20:58	#2
Hugh_ Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 906	If I could just offer you some advice, next time ask these type of questions BEFORE buying

30-01-2013, 21:23	#3
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	To save repeating myself http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...55&postcount=2

30-01-2013, 21:28	#4
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	The only way to be sure there is no malicious software on the mifi is to place it on a table in front of you, invite your friends round and sit around the table and hold a séance. Then you have to ask the mifi if it has any software that may harm your pc... if it doesn't reply ask one of your friends to hold it down and then get a shovel and dig a grave and throw the mi-fi in so that no one can be affected by this evil. In other words.... no.

30-01-2013, 21:29	#5
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	I wanted to do something different for my 1500 post. Don't judge me.

30-01-2013, 21:32	#6
Hugh_ Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 906	Quote: Originally Posted by jabbamk1 The only way to be sure there is no malicious software on the mifi is to place it on a table in front of you, invite your friends round and sit around the table and hold a séance. Then you have to ask the mifi if it has any software that may harm your pc... if it doesn't reply ask one of your friends to hold it down and then get a shovel and dig a grave and throw the mi-fi in so that no one can be affected by this evil. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I recon this post is a wind up

30-01-2013, 21:53	#7
Stiggles Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 9,293	Quote: Originally Posted by jabbamk1 I wanted to do something different for my 1500 post. Don't judge me. Haha! Wish i thought of something like that for my 4,000th earlier

30-01-2013, 21:54	#8
Glint Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 6	Right - I'll call the nearest mystic then - phew. I hope it's a friendly mifi ghost - will it tell me the future too?

30-01-2013, 21:56	#9
Glint Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 6	And yes Hugh, you're right, It was a bit of a spur-of-the-moment thing....

30-01-2013, 21:57	#10
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggles Haha! Wish i thought of something like that for my 4,000th earlier Congrats on your 4000th! Quote: Originally Posted by Glint Right - I'll call the nearest mystic then - phew. I hope it's a friendly mifi ghost - will it tell me the future too? haha, sorry mate. But like the other posters said there is no need to worry. There is nothing that the mifi can do to harm the pc/your personal data. Just put the sim card, turn it on and then connect from your pc/laptop.

30-01-2013, 22:03	#11
Glint Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 6	Haha - no worries - thanks for all for that. I really appreciate the help fellas. .... Still a bit worried about potential poltergeist activity within my hard drive though....

30-01-2013, 23:47	#12
jabbamk1 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,759	have you run a malwarebytes scan? Also you can download Spybot search and destroy which is a good little application for removing anything harmful on your hard drive.

31-01-2013, 11:51	#13
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Actually I notice that one of the 3 MIFi devices does have a slot for a micro SD card according to the specs. So maybe there is some potential for malicious software to lurk on it. However all you would need to do is remove the card and any threat is removed with it.

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Is using second hand mifi safe