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community group sub-forums => tech talk => Topic started by: trail_horse on April 26, 2008, 12:21:37 am

Title: WiFi Security - Using unencrypted wireless access point
Post by: trail_horse on April 26, 2008, 12:21:37 am

Hi tech furries!

I'd like to use a local WiFi Internet Service. It's fast and it only costs $10 a month. The problem is, it's unsecure. The service doesn't offer WEP or WPA. Anyone, possibly within a half mile radius, could use a packet sniffer and monitor my internet traffic. In fact I have a friend who has the equipment and software to do this.

I read about secure proxy servers and VPN type solutions. These would encrypt the traffic between my computer and a remote server. But it's been difficult trying to decide what company has the best product or what is the best solution.

Can anyone recommend a product or service I could use?

Thanks

-Trail Horse

Title: Re: WiFi Security - Using unencrypted wireless access point
Post by: Siege on May 11, 2008, 03:32:42 pm

Well, first off, you need a server which will do packet forwarding for you. If you have that, then an ssh tunnel will work just fine. You could also use Hamachi plus an unencrypted tunnel program. Note that both client and server need to be set up for the tunnel and the packet forwarding.

I don't have a lot of suggestions, except to review certain Security Now episodes which specifically cover tunnelling, VPNs, and Hamachi.

Title: Re: WiFi Security - Using unencrypted wireless access point
Post by: trail_horse on May 11, 2008, 07:39:44 pm

Thanks for the info.

I have found a solution since I posted my question. I found a service called Hotspot VPN:

http://www.hotspotvpn.com/

It costs about $10 a month, but it works well. They have a couple options: you can either use the VPN client installed in Windows or you can install a version of Open VPN that the service supplies.