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Community Newsletter: Q&A: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi?
- 7/24/08 12:04 AM
What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi?
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 7/24/08 12:04 AM
Question:
Please help. I'm taking off on road trip across the country
soon for about a month and I'm lugging my laptop along for
the ride to check e-mail, get maps and directions, and
everything in between to make the best out of my trip. I will
be using a wireless connection to access the Internet at
hotels, Starbucks, and other hot spots that are available,
but my concern is always security in these public areas. At
home I know my wireless connection only allows me to be
connected to it, but when I'm out there in the open, how
vulnerable am I? I see people using Wi-Fi all the time at
coffee shops and airports, but I always wonder how do they
make their system safe from intrusions or threats?! Maybe
they don't. Regardless, I'm not willing to take any chances.
So is there like a list of public Wi-Fi do's and don'ts when
using it to ensure my laptop's safety? I would love to get a
check list of items I will need to do to ensure my
information on my laptop is not compromised. Can you please
help me out here?
--Submitted by Margaret K.
Here are some answers from our members to get you started, but please read through all the submission within this discussion thread for more helpful advice and information.
Using public WiFi safely --submitted by Watzman
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=299358&messageID=2800866#2800866
Securing your computer --submitted by Zouch
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=299358&messageID=2800985#2800985
Quick safety tips... --submitted by RobertWFrei
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=299358&messageID=2801052#2801052
Dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi --submitted by Ankit B.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=299358&messageID=2802404#2802404
If you have any additional advice or list of tips you can provide for Margaret, please click on the reply link below and help her out. Please be as detailed as possible when providing an answer. Thanks!
Using public WiFi safely
by Watzman - 6/27/08 6:21 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
This isn't too bad ... basically:
1. Make sure you have NO shared folders on your hard drive
2. [Optional] Disable or remove the "printer and file sharing" service entirely. This is the ultimate but perhaps extreme answer to point 1., above
3. Install a good security service that has both incoming and outgoing firewalls. Something like Norton Internet Security or an equivalent product (the Windows firewall, which may be fine for home use behind a router, has no outgoing firewall).
That should protect your computer.
BUT, there is one other caution: It won't protect the data you send over the internet. That is, if you log into a site, your userID and password may still be seen. To protect those, do not log onto sensitive sites (you have to decide what those are) when using an UNENCRYPTED WiFi network. You will know if you are using an encrypted (WEP or (very much preferably) WPA) network or an unencrypted network, because to use an encrypted network you will have to be given and will have to enter encryption keys (note, this is not the same thing as a password). The other thing to look for is whether the login screen is http (unencrypted) or https (encrypted) (this is a different encryption from network encryption, e.g. from WEP or WPA). If the login screen is https, you are probably safe even if the network itself is unencrypted. Look for the "padlock" symbol in your web browser.
Hope that helps.
Barry Watzman
Watzman@neo.rr.com
Add Ubuntu 8.04 to your Windows machine
by coover - 6/27/08 6:26 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
When on the road, I never worry someone hacking my Windows machine. I've downloaded the free Linux operating system Ubuntu 8.04 and added it to my Vista machine. There is nothing on the Ubuntu partition that would be of interest to a snooper, so even if they could hack into my computer, they'd gain nothing. But the fact is, most hackers would not attempt to hack a Linux machine. There are too few of them. They'd look for Windows machines.
***_EXCELLENT_ answer, coover!!! ;)
by btljooz - 6/28/08 12:01 PM In reply to: Add Ubuntu 8.04 to your Windows machine by cooverOr PCLinuxOS which is lighter on resources and takes up less space on the hard drive. 
That and one of those cards that work off of cell phone towers should be on EVERYONE'S "to use" list while traveling! 
Add any distribution of Linux (Ubuntu & OpenSUSE 11 will do)
by studnout - 7/19/08 4:52 AM In reply to: Add Ubuntu 8.04 to your Windows machine by cooverAbsolutely correct.. I've a HP laptop at home.. and it came loaded with WIndows Vista.. but I rarely use it.. I'm a student so I take my laptop with me wherever I go.. so installed OpenSUSE 11.. It is a wonderful operating system like Ubuntu.. It even features to encrypt your whole hard-drive.. No, viruses, intruders, spyware,trojans and adwares.. my system as well as my papers are safe.. Try that.. or try Ubuntu.. you will certainly like it..Be sure to update it at home before going for the trip..
Try a GPS device with wireless included.
by nicoaumond - 6/27/08 6:37 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Avis Rent a Car has a new toy in town. It's a GPS that you can take with you in your hotel, restaurant, bathroom and stay connected to the internet through the device...nice hey?
So if you don't need the car rental, just see if you can skip the car and rent the device only! Smile Good luck!
GPS - Hoax
by Tennisyoda - 7/18/08 7:34 PM In reply to: Try a GPS device with wireless included. by nicoaumondI have a Gamin 650. I consider it to be a toy.
The data base is incomplete and loused up and you are (or will be) lost without it.
Garmin does not maintain or update the data base even when the error(s) are obvious. They do sell an alleged update on disk for around $60.00
Forget the whole thing.
WIFI Security
by mjd420nova - 6/27/08 6:53 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
While travelimg, at coffee shop hot spots, in hotels/motels or the airports, the normal security precautions should be enough to keep your machine safe. The normal security suite you use at home, firewall, pop up blocker and anti-virus along with spam blocker would provide the protection you need. One big advantage you could use that would eliminate the need for depending on WIFI connection would be to rent a short time AIRCARD from a celluar provider. This way you could be safe and even use it while on the road for maps and even GPS assistance if you purchase the Rand McNally Streets and Roads program. I used the GPS package on a cross country trip and found it very useful in getting precise directions to those motels and attractions we planned to visit.
Road trip using wifi
by fastpaw - 6/27/08 6:58 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi i have done a few road trips using wifi from many sources and the problem is always the same you just dont feel secure.
I found my answer by getting a 3G USB modem as it uses the mobile phone network.
The reason i use one is i can then setup my own security ans do not need to use other peoples wifi conections with their unknown security settings.
If this is not the answer for you then a few pointers for wifi.
Make sure your antivirus is upto date.
Use a good software firewall (not windows firewall as it only protects you from incoming problems)i use zone alarm from zonelabs.com as it is free for private individuals.
Use your common sense and dont open emails that contain pictures etc unless you have been prior notified by the sender that they will be included in the next email (and you trust the sender)
make a backup of your system on disk then make another keep one at home take one with you that way if all goes wrong you can at least take the computer back to how it was.
Make a restore point before connecting to unknown hotspots, that way if the hotel or starbucks change system settings or install programs on you to enable their system to work, you can restore back when you leave.
hop[e this helps regards :Paul
Get a wireless card from your cell phone provider
by blyoung1 - 6/27/08 7:05 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had the same quandry when travelling to work in remote areas of the US. I got a Sierra USB Aircard from my cellphone provider, ATT. Any place I have cell phone, I have internet. This allows me unlimited access for $60 per month. The Aircard was free with the $100 manufacturer's rebate. It has a VPN feature for security and gets both GSM and WiFi. I use it all the time on the go with an AC inverter for the 12 volt outlet in my vehicle; pull over, boot up and get everything from maps and directions to food, fun and lodging. I also use it as a back up on my desktop at home when my wireless broadband goes down.
WiFi on the road
by hangtownvp - 6/27/08 7:09 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You can find out on your laptop, when you log on to a hotspot it will ask you a few things, but as long as you watch your laptop, no one can access your files with out you giving them permission to log into your system. There is software out there that people can use for hacking, but if you have a virus protection on your laptop, it will prevent anyone from putting any software on your system to view or copy your files. anytime someone wants to log into your laptop it will appear on your screen for you to allow them or not. when you are in star bucks or a restaurant you are pretty safe because people are not there long. but in a hotel, some use different accessing to there WiFi connection, this is to prevent others from logging into your computer. You are as safe on the road as you are at home, you just need to pay attention while logged in. I hope this helps you with your question.
Hangtown Media
RAS
What I do to protect myself
by frj11 - 6/27/08 7:18 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Margaret,
The ultimate protection against virus infections is to have a clean copy of your Operating system and applications disk. My laptop is partitioned into an OS drive and application drive (C:) and a larger data drive (D:). I use AVG 8.0 suite to protect the boot drive. I carry with me a bootable copy of Acronis True Image 11. With this CD I can quickly restore my boot drive and recover from any catastrophic attack on my laptop. The data drive has never been compromised. I would advise keeping downloads to an absolute minimum while on the road. Unless you update the image of your boot drive any installed code will not be backed up. My boot partition is 12 Gb and compresses down to 4.5 Gb in the backup.
I hope this helps,
Rick Johnson
WiFi Insecurity (hot spots)
by gdmadison - 6/27/08 7:33 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Unless you have some super-secrets on your computer, enjoy the trip and don't worry much about the open status of most hot spots.
If you have financial or other private data, don't connect anywhere (even at home) wirelessly, unless you are using some really, really good encryption. (WEP doesn't cut it!)
Be sure to back up your laptop before hitting the road; bad things can happen travelling cross-country - some worse than being "hacked".
Run, don't walk, to...
by rbsjrx - 6/27/08 7:52 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
http://www.hotspotshield.com/
It sets up a VPN, so you can use public hot spots without undue concern. What's more it's free.
wifi security use a dumb machine
by ppsm - 7/18/08 8:07 PM In reply to: Run, don't walk, to... by rbsjrxthe eee pc is perfect for hot spots. with its limited hard drive you cant store anything very important there and i certainly do not do my banking on it. and you don,t have to "lug" it around.Its light as a paperback book
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