wireless security - public network

[John63]

having just read the thread on the wireless home broadband security setup I wondered if there is any way to improve security when connecting to one of the free wireless networks, eg those at airports.

Cheers, John

[PBrown]

You want a personal firewall.

If you are running XP, you have one in-built, but it isn't very configurable. A quick search on Google should lead you to the various options.

cheers,
Paul

[Arthur Gerla]

These networks are often unencrypted. When you log on to your mail, online banking site, etc. your network traffic is easily eavesdropped upon unless extra precautions are taken.
If you are using a mail client like outlook to check your mail, make sure it uses SSL or a VPN tunnel to connect to the mailserver. If you use the web to access your mail or bank, don't enter your password or any other sensitive details on any page that doesn't display a little padlock in the bottom right hand corner of the window.

[John63]

Originally Posted by Arthur Gerla

These networks are often unencrypted. When you log on to your mail, online banking site, etc. your network traffic is easily eavesdropped upon unless extra precautions are taken.
If you are using a mail client like outlook to check your mail, make sure it uses SSL or a VPN tunnel to connect to the mailserver. If you use the web to access your mail or bank, don't enter your password or any other sensitive details on any page that doesn't display a little padlock in the bottom right hand corner of the window.

Thanks,

comany mail = non outlook, through CISCO based VPN with CISCO firewall at t'other end.

private mail = yahoo.

I am very loathe to do any banking/ financil work over wirless for the very reasons that you highlighted ie no encryption.


Cheers, John