Question/Concern about Internet security re: wifi in my new Sony Blu player

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Hey guys - I apologize in advance if my questions may seem ignorant re: those who are more versed in Blu players, wifi, etc. However, I do need some feedback regarding a question I have, and figured this board was the best place to go:

I just got a new (relatively inexpensive, under $100) Sony Blu-player, to replace my older Samsung Blu player that had stopped working. (Note that my older Samsung Blu-player did not have wifi built in, nor did I set up an Internet connection to the player). This Sony Blu player is far superior in many ways to my older one; it's faster, smaller/more compact, and the PQ on my Blu's (and regular DVD's) actually seems better in some cases than it did on my older Samsung Blu player - i.e., upscaling.

I did get the new Sony player with wifi built into the player itself, just in case I need to get firmware updates. However, I don't plan on using the player for anything other than playing DVD's & Blu's. This is the first Blu player that I've had with wifi (and only the second Blu player I've purchased).

So, when I set this new Sony player up, it required me to set up the wifi connection before I started using the player - by entering my password. So, since wifi is already set up whenever I turn on the Blu player - without me putting in a password each time I turn this on - does this mean that anyone out there can "piggyback" on my wifi whenever I have the player on?! I wasn't sure how this works.

I think it's best to keep wifi on, so the player can do automatic updates - if/as necessary. Do others agree with this?

In the case of my computer with wifi, it requires me to enter a password before I can use this. I don't have an I-phone (my cell phone doesn't have wifi at all).

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds. I can honestly say that many on this board are extremely knowledgeable about the technical aspects re: Blu's & Blu players, and I would actually trust much of the info. I get on here more than I would any info. I get from a clueless salesperson at a retail store that sells Blu players...

[ewsjr]

I have an Oppo 103 and I use a wired connection in case I read in the AVS Oppo forum thread that their is a new update (I do this with all my players). But I leave the Ethernet cord unplugged unless I do have to install an update and my players work just fine. Unless your Sony HAS to be connected to wifi to work (something I've never heard of unless you are using built in apps like Netflix etc.) you probably don't need to have it connected. Plus, though it happens very rarely, sometimes letting a player update itself automatically can install an update that may be funky or cause a problem with the player that was missed when designed. Some players may not be able to be rolled back to the previous firmware.

[JohnAV]

Don't worry about the BD player being a active WiFi device when the player is off, there is no activity. Typically a player will alert you or you manually check for FW updates when powered on.

[TripleHBK]

To answer your question regarding Wi-fi. The password is stored on the Blu Ray player itself and can only be used by the player. There is absolutely no risk that someone will somehow be able to get onto your network through your Blu Ray Player. By entering your password all you've done is give permission for the player to connect to your network. I'd recommend leaving the wi-fi connection on and just forgetting about it. If firmware updates become available it will likely notify you that they are available and that is exactly what you'll want.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Great! Thanks for the info., everyone.