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Wait!! Before you login into your Gmail or FB from a restaurant or a public library...

by sam770
12 replies
Guys,
Is it really safe to login into sensitive accounts (gmail, paypal, facebook, and so on...) from a public library, restaurant or hotel using a NON SECURE WIFI connection?
I know that in most cases the login to these services is secure (https) but is it enough?
I heard that there are many free hacking programs (mainly for Android) that let hackers see your activity if you are using a non secure wifi connection
#account #facebook #gmail #library #login #public #restaurant
  • Profile picture of the author Ti
    Let me google that for you
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
      sam if its an open network you are sharing it with anyone else logged on. They don't need to hack in they just need to log on.
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    • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
      Originally Posted by Ti View Post

      lmgtfy.com (Let me google that for you) is the web site that allows ANYBODY to instantly appear snarky and clever on the internet!
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      :)

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    • Profile picture of the author pdrs
      Originally Posted by Ti View Post

      Total misuse of let me google that for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
    In short no.Secure or non secure doesn't matter really. It's to do with sharing a connection with other unkown people like in a coffee shop. Although you can make it safer with a vpn which can guard against people seeing everything you are doing online while connected from the same wifi point.

    Rich
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  • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
    Originally Posted by sam770 View Post

    Guys,
    Is it really safe to login into sensitive accounts (gmail, paypal, facebook, and so on...) from a public library, restaurant or hotel using a NON SECURE WIFI connection?
    A few years ago a major bucks up ($20MM net worth) friend of mine was logged into the wifi at a Starbucks when he noticed a lot of his files were starting to get deleted. But the worst part of the story was the hacker got into his computer and emailed his tax return to everybody on his contacts list.

    You need to be VERY careful in those places.

    ~Bill
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
      Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

      A few years ago a major bucks up ($20MM net worth) friend of mine was logged into the wifi at a Starbucks when he noticed a lot of his files were starting to get deleted. But the worst part of the story was the hacker got into his computer and emailed his tax return to everybody on his contacts list.

      You need to be VERY careful in those places.

      ~Bill
      Wow Bill. That's not good! It's unfortuate many people don't know the risks still of using public wifi spots. I recently got approached by an elderly gentleman in a hotel lobby while just surfing via their free wifi point. He wanted help in connecting so he could check his bank account online. At which point I explained to him that was a very bad idea as all 120 rooms in the hotel that share that wifi could possibly see his bank details. I suggested he spent the cost of an international phone call to check his balance.

      Rich
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      • Profile picture of the author bretski
        Often people will be joining what they think is an access point when in reality they are connecting to someone sitting close by thus creating an ad hoc network. I've had guys call me from the airport with company issued laptops saying "I'm trying to check my email from this free wireless network here in the airport... it's called 'free airport wireless'... can you reset my password because it doesn't seem to be working"
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        • Profile picture of the author Truxx
          DO NOT connect to open wireless connections without secure browsing or some kind of good firewall. Contrary to what you might think, you do not need to be some sort of whiz hacker to break into someone's computer. There are simple, free Firefox extensions that make accessing someones personal info over an open network child's play.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Miranda
    If you are using wireless anywhere it can be 'sniffed'. Meaning, people COULD check out your connections etc. Always use SSL when possible and be careful what access points you join. I would also suggest using a secure VPN in those situations for another layer of protection.
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  • Profile picture of the author mywebwork
    A lot of good points raised in this thread.

    Common sense can go a long way in keeping you safe - proxy servers and strict firewall rules can't defend you from someone looking over your shoulder while you use your computer! Starbucks may be a nice cozy environment, but there are better places to check your bank balance.

    Microsoft has a page that has a bit of useful information on the subject (although a lot of it is pretty obvious stuff).

    Wi-Fi Internet Access: 8 tips for working securely from wireless hot spots

    Bill
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