Public Wi-fi = Not So Safe
By frozenfire
@frozenfire (208)
United States
March 23, 2010 6:54pm CST
So aparently, anyone can access your data when you use those free wi-fi sources for your computer/internet. I love being able to spend spare time on my itouch when I'm in the airport or in a cafe and they provide free wi-fi. I'm informed that people, even amateurs, can hack into your data by using certain softwares. Why does a good thing, like free internet access, have to be ruined by silly people who want to cause trouble? Any suggestions of the best ways to avoid people snooping into my files?
3 people like this
5 responses
@nautilus33 (1827)
•
24 Mar 10
~ hi! yes, i have also heard that they are not so safe, because your IP can be tracked very easy and can be blocked with some easy methods. i don't use public hot-spots very often, but when i use i am really careful ~
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
24 Mar 10
Your public wifi connection will be safe with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) client. It creates an encrypted tunnel between your computer and a server. I'm using a free open source one, UltraVPN. A Windows install is available on the site :
https://www.ultravpn.fr/
Under Linux you can use it with OpenSSL and OpenVPN.
This client will give you a US or a French address. You are able to surf the web and receive / send your mail by pop3/smtp with it. Some days, it's SLOW : well, it's free
I hope this help you.
@tonyllenium (6252)
• Italy
4 May 10
Yes surely public wi-fi in many cases are not so secure as regards the xchange about dates you can do with your device connected to the free wi-fi hotspot!!In reality there is not a real solution for this kind of cases may be you can take some security softwares and firewall that deals with some detection when you connected on a wi-fi hotspot for sure the 100% security of your dates i think it doesn't exist at all for all connections so cables,wi-fi and so on..
@anurag3786 (6267)
• India
24 Mar 10
Yes public wi-fi is not safe.. because mostly persons misuses it.. and last time i heard that terrorist used a wi-fi network for their planning .. so it is not safe.. and used by unauthorized persons.. have a nice day and keep mylotting always..
@shynepapin101 (1879)
• United Arab Emirates
25 Mar 10
Topffer has given you a good solution,thanks top