Community Forums

Monacoach · 12-11-2010, 07:26 PM

Its always been possible for skilled hackers to get your passwords when using free wi fi but today on the six oclock news it is mentioned that the average Joe can do it. They say not to go on any password protected web sites when using free public wi fi. I do the occasional online banking while using wi fi... am I alone?

BigSkyBob · 12-11-2010, 07:51 PM

Used free WiFi for online banking for several trouble free years. I've heard "stories" about ID theft but I've never been presented with any hard proof one way or the other. But if hackers can gain access to Pentagon records and files my bank account would appear to be small potatos.

RJay · 12-11-2010, 07:55 PM

Here is an article that supports what you say.

Mopar1973Man · 12-11-2010, 08:12 PM

As for WiFi I don't believe in it...

WiFi is limited by FCC law to 53 Mbit where most all wired networks are 1 Gbit...

And the other thing is there is lot of people hacking the signal and doing illegal activities on the WiFi then the ones providing the the WiFi signal one that gets in trouble for the illegal activities and the WiFi bandits get away scott free...

Yea I seen several WiFi hotspots in my area get hit by WiFi bandits...

Wayne M · 12-11-2010, 08:44 PM

Don't become to paranoid. There are security applications that can be employed. One is HTTPS:

Look at the URL line that your financial institution use and the URL log-in will typically start with HTTPS:. If it doesn't - don't use it.

As other articles point out, use strong passwords and change them on a regular basis. I have used password cracking programs in my last job as an information security specialist, and although they crack the simple passwords quite easily, a strong password of random letters and numbers is the best password. Do not use any word found in ANY dictionary. That does not mean just a US dictionary, but any dictionary. Words in dictionaries can be cracked very quickly, even just forms of words in dictionaries. If you have access to a random generator, then generate your password using the generator. A hassle to remember, but more secure.

Besides, there are other social engineering ways to get a password from someone. Do not share your passwords with anyone.

But don't be paranoid either.

adehaan86 · 12-11-2010, 09:01 PM

Next tip is too only let laptop be connected to that network long enough to get the data you want and shut it back down. Or at least disconnect wifi.

Wayne M · 12-11-2010, 09:46 PM

Oh! And don't forget that a perpetrator could break into the MH, or the stick house, and steal the computer with all your information on it.

Don't be paranoid.

AZgl1500 · 12-11-2010, 09:59 PM

I've seen the paranoia, but in 20 years of using computers on the internet, I have had very little problems.

I pay attention to the web sites I visit. I use a password keeper program on my computer that uses a master password to enable it to work. You can allow that password keeper program to generate very strong random passwords.

I do online banking when needed, where ever I happen to be. I change bank passwords after a session IF there might be a chance someone monitored me.

But, WiFi is not the culprit altogether. Once you hit the open Internet, you are subject to be followed and your passwords hacked.

So paranoia be damned, I am not going to restrict my use of the internet just because I am on a WiFi link somewhere.

Stay away from porn sites, stay away from gaming sites, stay away from a lot of fancy downloads that someone really "thinks you need to have".

Do NOT ever click on a link from an email program. Delete that message and go directly to the website mentioned and sign in with HTTPS invoked. Do NOT ever click on a link from a POPUP that just occurred on your screen. In fact, turn OFF popups. You don’t need them.

My WiFi router at home is OPEN, but the admin password is extremely strong. In 20 years, it only "broke" one time and there was a power failure that week. I never knew the why, I just did a Hard Reset and reinstalled a new extremely strong password for it.

Make double damn sure that you have NAT turned on in your router.
Never get directly onto the internet w/o NAT.

I have a lot of family over to my home, we all use WiFi. I personally use the LAN connection simply because it is faster.

paranoia feeds on itself. just be cautious and reasonable and you can get along just fine.

It goes without saying that you need to have a good firewall, a very good virus program (stay away from Symantec/Norton) and use MalwareBytes once in a while.

If you are still a bit paranoid, use the paid versions of your security programs and let them (and MalwareBytes) run all the time. I don't. I use the free stuff. Microsoft's firewall is just fine. I use AVG free, and MalwareBytes.

Occasionally SpyBot as a double check. It has been months since anything has been detected on this computer, a HP 6000 series laptop and it is never turned off. Always on, just goes to sleep when 10 minutes goes by w/o the keys being tickled.

Midniteoyl · 12-11-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

My WiFi router at home is OPEN, but the admin password is extremely strong. In 20 years, it only "broke" one time and there was a power failure that week. I never knew the why, I just did a Hard Reset and reinstalled a new extremely strong password for it.

So your router settings are secure, but your LAN is not??... not to mention your packets just floating around in space.. very, very simple for someone with a laptop/netbook/iPhone to see everything..

Quote:

WiFi is limited by FCC law to 53 Mbit where most all wired networks are 1 Gbit...

53Mbit/s limit was set by the protocal, not FCC.. Ever hear of 802.11n (Wireless N)?

blackf3504dr · 12-12-2010, 06:21 AM

AZgl1500, Which Malwarebytes can I trust to down load ? I surely don't want to down load something that will cause more problems...

GaryKD · 12-12-2010, 08:02 AM

WIFI, Internet or any other public network is just that, public. The network is not suppose to be secure. What is secure is the sending and receiving of data between your device and the device you are communicating with. The data security can range from very secure to completely open.

I do not mean to over simplify this problem, but with a little common sense one can use the Internet with no more worry than using any other modern day convenience. Since 1990, I've been using the Internet as a business person and for personal use. (This was before Al Gore invented it

). Neither my businesses or my personal use has ever been compromised. FYI, all my business was in 3rd world countries.

Sticking strictly to the personal side of using the Internet,

1. If there is a problem with your P/C, one can most likely look in the mirror to find the problem.
2. Use a firewall. The one that comes with the Windows operating systems is just fine. It is all I use. However, this firewall protects only from inbound attacks. If there is something already on your P/C or you let the bad guy into your P/C (most likely cause) the Windows firewall will not help you. One can purchase an in/out bound firewall from several different vendors.
3. Unlike some, I've used Norton/Symantec products from the beginning. Whatever product you use, keep it updated and current. If there is a subscription, pay for it. I credit this software for helping keep me free of the bad guys since 1990.
4. Follow the advice AZgl1500 posted. The bottom line is to use the Internet as a tool, not a toy. If one goes into the bad part of town, one is likely to become a victim. The same goes for the Internet.
5. When using the Internet for personal financial transactions, look for the lock symbol in your browser (Internet Explorer users). If it is there and locked, you are good to go forward. The lock means your sending and receiving data are as secure as possible. The amount of effort, time and expense to decode the encryption just is not worth it. Even to the most immature hackers.
6. Use an anti virus program. There are several vendors to choose from. If you got this far, you know my preference.
7. I do not click on any links of any kind. It matters not if they were sent to me by a friend or stranger.
8. I use the spam filters provided by my email provider (bellsouth). I also use the spam filter in MS Outlook. It takes a while to train the filters, but one you are caught up they work as advertised.

For the last 5 years, I have had a P/C running 24/7 on my home network. It is protected only by the firewall that came with Windows XP and the router hardware. I use it for a couple of applications that send and receive data for most of the day. It has never been compromised. I do have a fixed IP address with my Internet provider. My point is for personal use, the Internet is not as dangerous as some would have you believe. Take a few easy and simple precautions and enjoy the benefits the Internet has to offer.

gripper · 12-12-2010, 10:10 AM

[QUOTE=GaryKD;751562]7. I do not click on any links of any kind. It matters not if they were sent to me by a friend or stranger.

So, you don't even click on (hopefully helpfull) links fellow RV'ers place in their posts?

If that's bad, I'm in real trouble!!

Wayne M · 12-12-2010, 10:42 AM

GaryKD,

Good sound advice.

GaryKD · 12-12-2010, 11:05 AM

Hi gripper,
Your post is confusing. Your quote of my post shows the "sent to me" words. This would normally mean someone sent me a link via email, IM or some other electronic means. The links on iRV2 are not sent to anyone. They are just displayed on the screen. Some of the links on iRV2 can be sourced without clicking on them. One can then determine what action one will take. My reference was to links sent to me. My sincere apology if I have mislead you.

To what I think is the intention in your post, you are correct. I click on very few links on iRV2. My life was complete before the link, it will be complete even if I do not click on the link.