Taking Acer Aspire One on Holiday-any security issues?

SnowWhiterThanWhite

Hi,

Want to take my small netbook on forthcoming roadtrip, don't usually take one, but, will need to check out a couple of things on route, book tickets, check bank account/e-mails etc. All the motels I have booked have free wi-fi

Can anyone advise if I should be doing anything within my settings to help with security? I have never used public wi-fi before and unsure as to the implications.

Thanks

Taffybiker

If you do connect to free wifi, make certain you are connecting to a router (infrastructure), not to another computer. (ad hoc)

lee5768

check this video out LOL


bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/10/wifi_hot_spots_not_secure.html

Darksun

Well, even using unsecured wireless you should be OK logging into your bank, since it uses end to end encryption, as should any site taking card details.

Just remember though, anything submitted to an unsecured page can be intercepted easily on an unsecurer wireless connection (and even a secure one, if the owner/operator is unscrupulous/incompetent).

So for example, if you logged into these forums on open wifi, anyone in the area could get your username and password if they wanted. And while you may not be too concerned about that, if you use the same password everywhere, that could potentially expose something important.

Darksun

Also be wary about saved passwords and any sensitive personal information on the laptop, just in case it gets lost/stolen

paulofessex

A useful additon to any laptop bag when on holidays is a usb VIOP phone, depends where your going etc great cheap way of maintaining telephone contact

lee5768

Darksun wrote: »

Well, even using unsecured wireless you should be OK logging into your bank, since it uses end to end encryption, as should any site taking card details.

Just remember though, anything submitted to an unsecured page can be intercepted easily on an unsecurer wireless connection (and even a secure one, if the owner/operator is unscrupulous/incompetent).

So for example, if you logged into these forums on open wifi, anyone in the area could get your username and password if they wanted. And while you may not be too concerned about that, if you use the same password everywhere, that could potentially expose something important.

how ? if someone can accees a system as in the video i posted they could very easily install a keystroke logger

Darksun

lee5768 wrote: »

how ? if someone can accees a system as in the video i posted they could very easily install a keystroke logger

I skimmed through the video but all it showed was intercepting WiFi traffic. This wouldn't allow them access to your machine, just anything you broadcast from it. Did I miss a bit?

lee5768

Darksun wrote: »

I skimmed through the video but all it showed was intercepting WiFi traffic. This wouldn't allow them access to your machine, just anything you broadcast from it. Did I miss a bit?

yes your right it seems its only traffic

gamesmad

The data on your laptop will not be at risk from joining any WiFi hotspot, providing you leave all settings to default and you haven't set your hard drive as shared or something ridiculous. The only security issue that there is comes from the fact that people with the right knowledge can see the data that you are sending and receiving over the internet. This is unlikely to actually happen, as millions of people use WiFi without a problem everyday. In short, its realistically nothing to worry about. Have a good trip

-Will

magpiecottage

paulofessex wrote: »

A useful additon to any laptop bag when on holidays is a usb VIOP phone, depends where your going etc great cheap way of maintaining telephone contact

Not needed with an Aspire One. It has its own microphone, speakers and webcam. Download Skype and away you go. If you need to call "real" phones in the UK buy some Skypeout credit and call landlines for a penny a minute.