WiFi how secure is it away from home.

rustic · 19-06-2010, 15:42

Hi I just bought an Acer net book with windows 7, and it is great, I can now work in the lounge, and watch the football.......

Here is the question, how secure are free Wifi locations at places like McDonalds, Hotels, outside someones house on open WiFi etc
How do you know it is their site and not someone with a laptop filtering them?
Do you need the key code for these sites?
Any help appreciated.
best regards,
Rustic

larson · 19-06-2010, 15:47

i dont think theres anything 100%. but im sure most people wouldnt be clever enough to be hacking. just be carefull what you go on. i think all you can do is make sure your security is up to date..

im sure they will be an expert along anytime

larson

jims-terrano · 19-06-2010, 16:40

In theory once your connected to a network you can use some software such as Wire Shark that will sniff the network and save data to a text file. This data can contain such things as what I'm typing now to the passwords I type or are used by Outlook Excuse. As such no fire wall would protect that data from being seen.
I'm sure there will be some form of security in place but I personally wouldn't trust them. For every person that is clever enough to write software to keep your computer secure there is someone equally as clever to write code to hack. The same goes for Anti Virus software.
If you really can't live without internet whilst your out and about you may be better buying a mobile broadband gadget. I got a Vodaphone version that is pay as you go. Got it for £30 inc £15 of credit and as long as I use it once in every 90 days it doesn't run out.

Jim

clivvy · 19-06-2010, 17:00

Wire shark will certainly do it, also if they have a fancy router but most places don't. Not 100% secure but there's lots you can do to encrypt and protect your own data, but traffic flowing through their network can be monitored, that's free wifi hotspots for you, it's public.

jims-terrano · 19-06-2010, 17:10

Why don't we just install wire Shark and go for a Macky D and see what we can see

Jim

clivvy · 19-06-2010, 19:05

good idea! be interesting to see what we can..er...see...

briggie · 20-06-2010, 07:13

thought this might interest you clive ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/10349001.stm

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 20-06-2010, 10:59

so how unsecure is WEP then, based on it stands for wired equivalent protection I believe.
At 128 bit encryption who is going to intercept and break it down? MI5?

Still if doubt cable up.

My Orange Livebox modem router uses wep @128b, adding a new machine to the network
it wont accept it with the key unless the pairing button is pressed on the live box so you
have to be with it first time, handy if the code did fall into someone else's hands.

20-06-2010, 11:15

WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol)

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a security protocol, specified in the IEEE Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) standard, 802.11b, that is designed to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) with a level of security and privacy comparable to what is usually expected of a wired LAN. A wired local area network (LAN) is generally protected by physical security mechanisms (controlled access to a building, for example) that are effective for a controlled physical environment, but may be ineffective for WLANs because radio waves are not necessarily bound by the walls containing the network.

WEP seeks to establish similar protection to that offered by the wired network's physical security measures by encrypting data transmitted over the WLAN. Data encryption protects the vulnerable wireless link between clients and access points; once this measure has been taken, other typical LAN security mechanisms such as password protection, end-to-end encryption, virtual private networks (VPNs), and authentication can be put in place to ensure privacy.

In recent months WEP has been shown to be succeptable to attacks and is now considered unsuitable for Enterprise-Level Wireless Security.

20-06-2010, 11:17

WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol)

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a security protocol, specified in the IEEE Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) standard, 802.11b, that is designed to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) with a level of security and privacy comparable to what is usually expected of a wired LAN. A wired local area network (LAN) is generally protected by physical security mechanisms (controlled access to a building, for example) that are effective for a controlled physical environment, but may be ineffective for WLANs because radio waves are not necessarily bound by the walls containing the network.

WEP seeks to establish similar protection to that offered by the wired network's physical security measures by encrypting data transmitted over the WLAN. Data encryption protects the vulnerable wireless link between clients and access points; once this measure has been taken, other typical LAN security mechanisms such as password protection, end-to-end encryption, virtual private networks (VPNs), and authentication can be put in place to ensure privacy.

In recent months WEP has been shown to be succeptable to attacks and is now considered unsuitable for Enterprise-Level Wireless Security.

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2) is a class of systems to secure wireless (Wi-Fi) computer networks. It was created in response to several serious weaknesses researchers had found in the previous system, Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP).

WPA is designed to work with all wireless network interface cards, but not necessarily with first generation wireless access points. WPA2 implements the full standard, but will not work with some older network cards.

rustic · 20-06-2010, 13:49

Thanks Darwin for spending the time to explain that, when I go to the bank they are surprised that I do not use internet banking, if I had I would have been panicking last week when that Trogan got into my system.
We use telephone banking to transfer small amounts to a seperate account that we use for a debit card, to save on Credit card transaction fees, with fraud they can only get what is there... Not much.
The Ken Dodd method of banking in this current climate of low interest, looks preferable. ( ie keep it under the matress.... )

clivvy · 20-06-2010, 16:47

your banks internet site, and your accoutn access through it, is secure, genrally you will be ok so long as no one is looking over your shoulder as you type your decurity keys etc, but that goes without saying.

as for wep etc, perfectly fine for home use, even for small business, but most companies now use WPA-EPA, and require mac address filtering, quite simply at the moment, an outsider cant connect to the network. There is lots more you can do to ensure security, its just most people dont bother because its a ball ache. at home, i use mac filtering, WPA AND my wireless is invisible, so I dont get hacked!

19-06-2010, 15:42	#1
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	WiFi how secure is it away from home. Hi I just bought an Acer net book with windows 7, and it is great, I can now work in the lounge, and watch the football....... Here is the question, how secure are free Wifi locations at places like McDonalds, Hotels, outside someones house on open WiFi etc How do you know it is their site and not someone with a laptop filtering them? Do you need the key code for these sites? Any help appreciated. best regards, Rustic __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

20-06-2010, 10:59	#8
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	so how unsecure is WEP then, based on it stands for wired equivalent protection I believe. At 128 bit encryption who is going to intercept and break it down? MI5? Still if doubt cable up. My Orange Livebox modem router uses wep @128b, adding a new machine to the network it wont accept it with the key unless the pairing button is pressed on the live box so you have to be with it first time, handy if the code did fall into someone else's hands. __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

20-06-2010, 13:49	#11
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	Thanks Darwin for spending the time to explain that, when I go to the bank they are surprised that I do not use internet banking, if I had I would have been panicking last week when that Trogan got into my system. We use telephone banking to transfer small amounts to a seperate account that we use for a debit card, to save on Credit card transaction fees, with fraud they can only get what is there... Not much. The Ken Dodd method of banking in this current climate of low interest, looks preferable. ( ie keep it under the matress.... ) __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

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19-06-2010, 15:47	#2
larson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: moomin vally Posts: 1,138	i dont think theres anything 100%. but im sure most people wouldnt be clever enough to be hacking. just be carefull what you go on. i think all you can do is make sure your security is up to date.. im sure they will be an expert along anytime larson

19-06-2010, 16:40	#3
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	In theory once your connected to a network you can use some software such as Wire Shark that will sniff the network and save data to a text file. This data can contain such things as what I'm typing now to the passwords I type or are used by Outlook Excuse. As such no fire wall would protect that data from being seen. I'm sure there will be some form of security in place but I personally wouldn't trust them. For every person that is clever enough to write software to keep your computer secure there is someone equally as clever to write code to hack. The same goes for Anti Virus software. If you really can't live without internet whilst your out and about you may be better buying a mobile broadband gadget. I got a Vodaphone version that is pay as you go. Got it for £30 inc £15 of credit and as long as I use it once in every 90 days it doesn't run out. Jim

19-06-2010, 17:00	#4
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	Wire shark will certainly do it, also if they have a fancy router but most places don't. Not 100% secure but there's lots you can do to encrypt and protect your own data, but traffic flowing through their network can be monitored, that's free wifi hotspots for you, it's public.

19-06-2010, 17:10	#5
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Why don't we just install wire Shark and go for a Macky D and see what we can see Jim

19-06-2010, 19:05	#6
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	good idea! be interesting to see what we can..er...see...

20-06-2010, 07:13	#7
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	thought this might interest you clive ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/10349001.stm

20-06-2010, 11:15	#9
Darwin Guest Posts: n/a	WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol) Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a security protocol, specified in the IEEE Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) standard, 802.11b, that is designed to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) with a level of security and privacy comparable to what is usually expected of a wired LAN. A wired local area network (LAN) is generally protected by physical security mechanisms (controlled access to a building, for example) that are effective for a controlled physical environment, but may be ineffective for WLANs because radio waves are not necessarily bound by the walls containing the network. WEP seeks to establish similar protection to that offered by the wired network's physical security measures by encrypting data transmitted over the WLAN. Data encryption protects the vulnerable wireless link between clients and access points; once this measure has been taken, other typical LAN security mechanisms such as password protection, end-to-end encryption, virtual private networks (VPNs), and authentication can be put in place to ensure privacy. In recent months WEP has been shown to be succeptable to attacks and is now considered unsuitable for Enterprise-Level Wireless Security.

20-06-2010, 11:17	#10
Darwin Guest Posts: n/a	WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol) Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a security protocol, specified in the IEEE Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) standard, 802.11b, that is designed to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) with a level of security and privacy comparable to what is usually expected of a wired LAN. A wired local area network (LAN) is generally protected by physical security mechanisms (controlled access to a building, for example) that are effective for a controlled physical environment, but may be ineffective for WLANs because radio waves are not necessarily bound by the walls containing the network. WEP seeks to establish similar protection to that offered by the wired network's physical security measures by encrypting data transmitted over the WLAN. Data encryption protects the vulnerable wireless link between clients and access points; once this measure has been taken, other typical LAN security mechanisms such as password protection, end-to-end encryption, virtual private networks (VPNs), and authentication can be put in place to ensure privacy. In recent months WEP has been shown to be succeptable to attacks and is now considered unsuitable for Enterprise-Level Wireless Security. WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2) is a class of systems to secure wireless (Wi-Fi) computer networks. It was created in response to several serious weaknesses researchers had found in the previous system, Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP). WPA is designed to work with all wireless network interface cards, but not necessarily with first generation wireless access points. WPA2 implements the full standard, but will not work with some older network cards.

20-06-2010, 16:47	#12
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	your banks internet site, and your accoutn access through it, is secure, genrally you will be ok so long as no one is looking over your shoulder as you type your decurity keys etc, but that goes without saying. as for wep etc, perfectly fine for home use, even for small business, but most companies now use WPA-EPA, and require mac address filtering, quite simply at the moment, an outsider cant connect to the network. There is lots more you can do to ensure security, its just most people dont bother because its a ball ache. at home, i use mac filtering, WPA AND my wireless is invisible, so I dont get hacked!