Wireless Security

[jackel1959]

With a lot of parks offering WIFI these days, it has made it much more convenient to stay in touch, pay bills and stay on top of finances while on the road. My concern is that not all the parks we have stayed at offer secure WIFI connections (I'm assuming if you have to have a password to log in the system is at least minimally secure). So my question is what kind of software, preferably freeware, can I install and use to help protect my sensitive information while using an unsecured network to do banking and bill paying? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance.

[Countryfolks]

Nothing beyond what you should have installed as far as I know. You should already have good antivirus/trojan, spam and firewall programs and have file sharing turned off. Be sure to use good procedures also, strong passwords and don't save them for automatic entry, don't go to the internet via email'd urls, be sure the "lock" is on when you sign in to the sites you use, don't use "found" or unknown AP's [access points] etc.

If you have access to a secure remote base computer that is always on you could use VPN.

Skip

[jackel1959]

Thanks Skip. I do have the all the things you mentioned and practice "safe surfing". The one thing I will definitely setup will be VPN with the computer in my stick home for use on our shorter trips. Thanks again.

Jack

[ols1932]

I would beware of "freeware" software. It's that kind of software that gets you a lot of spam because they want your address and then it's sold to various spammers. I use Spy Sweeper to keep my computer free of that kind of software cookies.

Orv

[Ozzie]

Not only wireless needs the security...many are not knowledgeable enough to set up a computer securely. It's not your fault! But you can read and educate your self to get pointed in the right direction.
Try reading this article- and pay particular attention to #10.

[Countryfolks]

jackel1959:

I forgot to mention to ensure you're set up to connect to AP's only. This will help prevent unintentional connection to a nearby computer.

Skip

[MAMalody]

Assuming you have Windows XP, it's firewall is inadequate. It does not block outbound tranmissions. but you can use ZoneAlarnm, Outpost, or Ghost Wall..all freeware. I use ZoneAlarm and it seems to work great. Available at Download.com or MajorGeek.com. It is a small pain when you first start to use it, but once you have your major internet sites okayed, it runs pretty smooth.

[DonandJudy_12]

What about Windows Vista. We are on wifi right now and I do worry about the banking, I just check it to see if my balance and theirs match.

[Countryfolks]

DonandJudy_12; Use an after market firewall. Apparently the Vista one needs some work. Google "vista firewall". You also need the other security precautions mentioned above.

Skip

[MuddyPaws]

Get 'Wireless Networking for Dummies'. Eveything you need to know in one book.

Even if you're logging in with a password your traffic is not encrypted. A pimple faced kid with a tuna can and free software could be watching every bit-n-byte.

Two common encryption methods are WEP and WPA. I've never heard of anyone having residential or personal VPN? But I know that it's a total PITA to support at a coprporate level.