[Ham-Computers] How safe are Hot Spots?

[W4GFQ (Don)]

Maybe I’m naïve, but I am in the business so I do realize the issues.

Frankly I do leave my front door open, haven't locked a door in over 20
years - my decision.  Just as its my decision to use Hot Spots.  The effort
needed to sit within the 300 feet or so of the hot spot to try to grab
someone's information for personal theft purposes - given the percentages -
is so low that I don't worry about it.  No more than I worry that someone
has placed a card reader into a fake ATM to grab my card number information
and PIN from my bank card.

Realizing the problem exists, staying aware of your surroundings and
generally ensuring (as you already infer by not doing banking etc) that you
don't ASK for problems is typically sufficient.

Don, W4GFQ

P.S. And sure you can come find my house and check the front door - but
beware the .357 BEHIND the door. 

-----Original Message-----
From: ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of jeff
Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2008 6:44 PM
To: Computers (or other) used for amateur radio, communications, or
experimenting
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] How safe are Hot Spots?

How safe is leaving your front door unlocked?  Wide open?

If you MUST use one of these, set up some sort of VPN.  Anything else can
result in you being hacked.  The VPN sets up a solid, encrypted connection
between you and one other site.

I believe there's one called Hot Spot VPN.  You can also do them with open
source software, with Windows or linux and your home computer.


There have been many stories of spoofing, where someone will sit there with
a laptop that will imitate a wifi spot.  You may not know the difference and
start sending your data through it.  It will look completely normal but
every keystroke will be captured and anything you send will be compromised.
I read about a few in airports!

Someone can also sit there and sniff traffic, possibly even connecting to
your laptop.

Yes, antivirus and a good firewall are essential, but they're not enough.

Be careful out there.

______________________________________________________________
Ham-Computers mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ham-computers
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html
Post: mailto:Ham-Computers at mailman.qth.net