Security for free Wifi hot spots...

I expect to do quite a bit of traveling this summer using free Wifi hot spots. Are there any special measures I should take? As it is now, I have NOD32 and only use the Windows Firewall since I have one with my Linksys router. I'm thinking I should get the free Zone Alarm firewall and disable the Windows one.

Think I'll be fine? Anything else I should be weary of?

 

ZA does pretty well, though you're biggest threat is from someone snooping on your traffic. Most people won't even bother to try. I'd say just buff up your security a little bit (see ZA) and you'll be fine.

 

Thanks Night...

 

In addition to ZA get Tor. Tor is perfect. Also run your chat programs through encryption and overseas proxies.

 

Also check out: http://www.vidalia-project.net/index.php

Also remember laptops by Dell & HP (Broadcom driver issues) are more easily hackable because its possible to exploit the OS kernel, which of course gets past AV, firewall, etc etc.

 

Tor is a what??????????????

 

In addition to the suggestions already made...if you are really needing hotspot security setup a VPN. There are also pay for use VPN services if you search online but then you are adding a potential security black hole to the process. You can then connect securely to your VPN and through that out to the web. Everything is then encrypted.

There have been plenty of tutorials here and elsewhere online on how to setup a VPN.

Best bet is to try and not do anything important via public access hotspots w/o encryption.

 

VPN is pretty easy to get through. And in general you can hack someone using ad-hoc. Anyway, here for setup: http://www.uwec.edu/help/WinXP/VPN-ms.htm

Pen testing: http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/tip/1,289483,sid14_gci1179550,00.html

Also, set up your own AP and have others connect to it and then use: http://www.softactivity.com/ and log anything and everything they do. The program is $80 but worth it.

 

3des is not easy to get through. But security is only good as its key. I always use the maximum allowed, in my case my vpn key is 42 chr random generated with all printable chr, do the math. Good luck on trying to break in. Not likely. I do the same on anything requiring security keys. So if you are only using common names or words that are in a dict very poor security. Yes they can be broken easily. WEP can be broken eaisly, WPA not. Most will not bother since most just move a few feet and pick up open system.

In public hot spots you need to make sure you are not set to connect to ANY Device ( adhoc). What happens is someone will be sitting in the coffee shop surfing, but have a dual AP. One in adhoc the other bridged to shop. Anything that goes through is pc is captured, PW, KEYS etc... YOU get the idea.