A trip to Palm Computing's Web site revealed that Palm, too, was ahead of Mr. Schorr. The latest Palm Desktop software, version 2.5, defaulted to an infrared connection on install, and I couldn't find a Palm Extras folder, described in the Macworld piece, in the new install or on the Web page specified. These fears are silly. For one thing, the range of AirPort transmissions is limited to 150 feet. In theory, someone could park outside your home or office and intercept, decode, and steal your credit-card number, but I doubt the cost of this surveillance would justify the limited yield.
People often confuse where security risks are.
Hackers don't sit wielding antennas in your parking lot. They filter Internet transmissions along a server or other such places and then search them for credit-card and Social Security numbers. Include a return address and daytime phone number. Due to the high volume of mail received, we can't respond personally to each letter. We reserve the right to edit all letters.