Free Wi Fi not safe

[deandec]

Originally Posted by Monacoach

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?

I have had no problem in extensive use of public WiFi using protected websites for over 10 years, yet.......

[Lorna]

I use Web of Trust on my computer. While I do go to some of the "questionable" sites (like some of the RV forums). If I am just doing internet searches, I stay away from the unsafe sites.

[steelheadbluesman]

Two words: MalwareBytes, Avast. Then relax.

[Midniteoyl]

The OP was talking about the 'free wifi', not so much what not to do once on the internet...

You had better belive wifi is NOT secure.. each and every packet you send back and forth can be seen.. Open very easily, WEP almost as easy, WPA next, WPA2, and so on.. Heres a site I found with a simple search that helps you do it: Wi-Fi Software Tools just so you know how easy it is...

And, lest you think no ones actually doing it.. what about your friend Google? google sniffing - Google Search Those who think it was all 'an accident' I have a bridge to sell...

[steelheadbluesman]

Right-O, Jim. I went there, and google is a scary deal.

[GaryKD]

Hi Midniteoyl,
Unless one is in a private corporate network or has a Virtual Private Network (VPN) setup, every network on the planet, the data traveling on the network is open. There should be no surprise about this. That is what the Internet is all about. It is like a public highway. Everyone can travel the highway. However, one should lock their vehicle doors when traveling. It is the same for the Internet. When traveling on the internet, one needs to determine if the doors should be locked or not. Google searches? come on, why point this out as an example. Of course Google searches are open communications. Many of our communications are open. IM, texting, emailing and iRV2 forum posts are just a few examples. Then there are encrypted transactions, banking, brokerage, trades, money transfers, etc. While your link reference may be technically valid, before pointing out how easy it is, try it. Post here what it took and the value gained. You can even try to hack my encrypted communications. Go for it.

I use only publicly available firewalls and encryption. In 20 years, neither my businesses or my personal data have been hacked, decoded or used by any unauthorized individuals.

Lets not be crying "the sky is falling".

[Midniteoyl]

Huh? Google was just an example.. a big one. The search was also. It could've been a Bing search too..So I'm not following?

Also, being on the 'Internet' and using WiFi are 2 different things. Of course when on the internet precautions should be taken. Site avoidance, link clicking, out going firewall protection, disabling Adobe Reader, Java, Quicktime, etc, etc.. The point here is people intercepting your information before it hits the web. I can sit in the same campground and packet sniff all day intercepting everything you send and receive. Once I get on your network I can do anything I want. Place a keylogger, trojan, password stealer, Bots, Remote Desktop, lock you out of your own network, surf kiddie porn that will point to you, anything you can do. So, while having good internet habits is good, securing your wireless is an absolute must. VPN? bah! Can be cracked.. and without WiFi security, useless...

Oh, and how easy to crack? WEP in less than a minute.. WPA in 3, WPA2 depends on the key strength, but most people are lazy, so 5-6 minutes.....

[GaryKD]

Midniteoyl,
I hear this all the time. I can do this, I can do that. The bottom line is the talker has no proof and experience. The gauntlet has been laid down, go for it. If the challenge is not taken, then talk is too cheap and really not necessary.

I don't know of anyone using WIFI for any other reason than to connect to the Internet. WIFI is just a way to get to the router that gets one to the ISP that get one to the Internet. From a user point of view the precautions are the same.

[Sergeant80]

I enjoy reading any and all computer postings. I agree with most of the protection programs. I use Avast or AVG on one or more of my computers. I also use Zone Alarm. My computers are for fun only and if I happen to get a trojan, rootkit, or virus (only happened once of each over the years) I have nothing on my computers that I cannot replace. I have a complete drive copy on a USB connected backup drive which is disconnected. A current backup of the computer is highly desirable. I have worked on forums assisting people that have been hijacked and cleaned them without formatting. If I have a problem of any kind, I cannot sleep comfortably until it is fixed. I like programs: IOBit from Advanced System Care and Belarc to be on my system. If I need more help I can always go to Spyware Warrior and download the programs they suggest before posting and run them. Spyware Warrior (home page)

[AZgl1500]

Originally Posted by blackf3504dr

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

From the horse's mouth is the only site I trust.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

[Wayne M]

My personal opinion is that you are more likely to get in trouble by what you post on an open forum, than by just using WiFi. Example: you state you are in East Timbukthree. Gathering information about you and if you have an unattended stick house is just to easy for some criminals. When you return home you may not have all that you left at home, only what you left with.

There are a lot bigger problems to wonder about then using WiFi.

[Monacoach]

There are a lot bigger problems to wonder about then using WiFi.

What would be a bigger problem then some hack getting your online banking password and cleaning out your accounts?

[AZgl1500]

Originally Posted by Wayne M

My personal opinion is that you are more likely to get in trouble by what you post on an open forum, than by just using WiFi. Example: you state you are in East Timbukthree. Gathering information about you and if you have an unattended stick house is just to easy for some criminals. When you return home you may not have all that you left at home, only what you left with.

There are a lot bigger problems to wonder about then using WiFi.

Wayne,

You will note I don't use my real name nor my address. Been on forums a long time. Those with whom you want to get to know, you can trust.

Those whom you would rather you don't get to know you all so well, I hide from.

As of now, I have stucco/frame/tile and ill wife keeping me tied down.

as soon as my wife can shed herself of monthly hospital stays, we are going to attempt some RV trips. Each will be a bit further from home testing her strength and resolve.

If I were alone (God forbid) the choice would be an easy one. Full time with a towed garage.

the only choice would be TT/5th/MH/TrkConv

My son works for Siemens and he gets to travel a lot on job projects.

I would love to just full time it and park where ever he might be for the next few months. Pull our bikes out of my "garage" and off we would both go.

I'm 68 nearly and time is wasting.

[sfrantz]

The world of WiFi has changed with Firesheep; WiFi really is less secure.

As others have said, the only websites that are safe are ones that are https://. If it doesn't have that "s" you are vulnerable.

Again, as others have said, stay away from porn, gaming, pirated software, pirated video, etc. sites.

Use a different password for each site. I use 1Password which will generate long random number/letter passwords, and it remembers it for me.

And the best way to avoid a virus or trojan horse, buy a Macintosh.

Stephen