Community Newsletter: Q&A: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi?
- 7/24/08 12:04 AM
Thanks again
by jazzi - 7/19/08 10:33 AM In reply to: Sadly... by R. Proffitt
it's a linksys, I'll investigate further.
Have laptop will travel .....
by postaljames - 7/3/08 7:04 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I too travel extensively with my laptop and use many unsecured hotspots, keyword here 'UNSECURED'. I mainly try to stay with well established hotspots ie; Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Mickey D's and ones sponsored by airports or hotels. Watch out for networks mimicking
these established sites or over friendly invites. Never connect to
'peer to peer' networks.You should be aware, though, that if you are on an https:// site, then the data is SSL encrypted and therefore secure. Ironically, you can safely do transactions with your bank but you can't send a private email to a friend at a WiFi hotspot. My motto
use caution, but have fun.
Answer for Margaret
by noel fallesgon - 7/4/08 3:47 AM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Dear Margaret do used public public wi-fi you have have a secure laptop anyway and Im right on your laptop. If you have a firewall of laptop its ok to used. Check first your laptop if its secure. Then you can used a public wi-fi.
WIFI...
by dllfo - 7/10/08 3:25 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you are staying anyplace that says they have WIFI, make sure it works all the time and in your room (camping spot). ASK FIRST. Oh yes, is it located on the premises? One place was using the WIFI from a motel next to his motel. Go figure.
We have traveled in our motorhome and in motels, no easy answers. Make sure it is really free. Some places sell you a "code". And I promise you, from our experience, many don't bother to tell you in advance.
Make sure you understand how to put these codes in. AND if you put the code in wrong, can you get back to where you started?
My wife and I have used AVG free and no virus's so far. Best wishes...
key logger risk
by Tennisyoda - 7/18/08 6:42 PM In reply to: WIFI... by dllfoWhat is a key logger. (yes, I understand the concept)
Does it really exist ?
If so, all of the security steps listed are a waste.
(see fourth post above)
Keyloggers and sniffers
by jazzi - 7/19/08 9:36 AM In reply to: key logger risk by TennisyodaA key logger is a program that records all the keystrokes that are made when you type. They can be set up to transmit the information to a remote computer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keylogger
What is probably of more relevance here is the concept of "sniffing" which is a technology which allows someone to capture the packets of information as they are transmitted by the radio signals of a Wi-Fi network. Unless the packets are "encrypted" in some way, they can be copied and mined for passwords, etc. Wireless networks can be "secured" by applying encryption, but an unsecured network in a public Wi-Fi will not generally have this encryption, hence, it is easy to intercept information. That means that unless you're specifically given a key to enter to log in, assume your data can be seen by anyone smart enough to know how to sniff it out.
This is a good guide "Coffee Shop Wi-Fi for Dummies"
http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/385
My husband works for the government. The security experts at his agency have determined that wireless networks can never be secure enough for sensitive data so they are not allowed to use ANY type of wireless network connection to connect to the government server.
There have been notorious examples reported in the news media of data compromised by companies who have used insecure wireless networks to transmit credit card numbers. Guess what happened???
Again, if you don't know enough to be sure you aren't going to expose yourself to identity theft, etc., just stay off these networks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_sniffer
Great question
by SMOKE911 - 7/18/08 7:25 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have many wireless, unsecured routers in a couple of my houses. I let people access my internet when I am not using it because they might not be able to afforded it. Now, you have a concern about information leak. That is possible, but highly unlikely. Why would Starbucks try to risk information leak? they wouldn’t. Just make sure you don’t have any shared information. If you do, great, just know anyone can access the shared information using the router that you have accessed.
The person would have to be a skilled hacker to access your information at any hotspot your are at. It is a risk, but you risk it at your house as well. The best way to protect your information is to encrypt it, to where you need to put a password to access your sensitive information.
Now whatever websites you have accessed is Starbucks, or whomever’s internet you have accessed , problem. They can find out who as been on what website and what not, but that’s all. They only way they would be able to know what information you have used on the website, is by using a key logger. Again, highly unlikely and they would have to go on your computer to plant it/ or you download something insecure.
I hope my answer helped a little and have a great trip!
Best idea for a new app in a long time . . .
by RobertWFrei - 7/18/08 7:41 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I like jigmeg's idea (currently post 47) about an app that locks down the computer when on an unknown network, and opens things up more on a known (assume secured) network.
Since I use only wired network while at the office or at home I have created for myself a much more secured connection when I do use the wireless connection. The wireless is always treated as insecure (because that is, unfortunately, the bald truth) and that helps to protect me on the road.
The strategies I suggested in an earlier post are primarily best practice for use in any unfamiliar network - and that usually means wireless, since few now use wired connections anywhere except at home or work.
Bob
I NEVER use wireless - ever.
by UITD - 7/18/08 8:14 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Why? Because they havent even figured out how to properly secure WIRED connections. Wireless, its in the air. ANYONE with a little effort can see everything you do. And dont let anyone tell you there are safeguards in place... Thats is pure BS only there to drive sales of wireless products.
Want to be safe? Use wired connections and secure protocols ONLY or leave the laptop home.
lets all go back to dial up land line sure
by ppsm - 7/18/08 8:33 PM In reply to: I NEVER use wireless - ever. by UITDhey it would be ideal to go back to the 1940s and dial up. fact is that ain't happening. I feel your pain. But there is a fine line between reality and what you want it to be. George Bush can still invade your homeland land line so just disconnect all wires to your home. Oh and don't walk down the street, there are too many cameras. Hide under the covers. Or move to a remote island. Ooops viruses of a different type there.
ya. ok.
by UITD - 9/25/08 2:45 PM In reply to: lets all go back to dial up land line sure by ppsmI dont give a crap who is listening to my calls. I am not doing anything illegal nor anything to be ashamed of. I am positive that I cant speak for others who complain..
Second - no one mentioned anything about dial up. Here's a good concept: READ, dont ASSume..
use broadband cards
by GENE8 - 7/18/08 9:26 PM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Use a broadband access card (either USB or Express), instead of using the built-in adapter card that came with your laptop. Access cards provide better security than the built-in adapter cards because they don't rely on hot-spots for making connections online.
my take on wi-fi, now days
by helpmeman - 7/19/08 12:43 AM In reply to: use broadband cards by GENE8I dont understand your comment at all. Are you saying to use broadband over wi-fi? If so, then I agree. But express cards offer better security simply because they are not integrated? That makes no sense.
I recently vacationed and tried to do it with wi-fi, bad idea. Having to drive around to a $tarbucks just for wi-fi and have to pay for it is lame. Free wi-fi (airport) was scary and is really not secure. All the hotels and coffee shops that got greedy and started charging for wi-fi made such a huge mistake. Before I was willing to pay $3 for coffee I could get free wi-fi, now using express broadband wi-fi is pointless. Stores had a great tool to get us in (free wi-fi), but since most are charging now they've ruined it and now we simply go online via broadband anytime/anywhere!
And to those guys who said they dont use their laptops for banking; If you check email then you have opened a porthole to many accounts.
And to the guy who thinks his Eee PC is cool because is doesnt have room for anything that would be a security issue, I don't understand your point at all.
Cellular broadband
by jazzi - 7/19/08 10:09 AM In reply to: my take on wi-fi, now days by helpmemanI believe he was probably referring to cellular broadband.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_broadband
Secruity In Wifi...
by clement_1988 - 7/19/08 2:46 AM In reply to: What are the dos and don'ts for using public Wi-Fi? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
To prevent people seeing you, go to run and type netconfig server /hidden:yes and to block people trying to pull data from you, disable file and printer sharing protocol...
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