Wi-Fi Security

I use my laptop in public places (e.g. airports) quite frequently and need
to access online banking, stock broking etc. sites.

Does Vista Business provide any kind of special security to prevent baddies
from stealing my UID/PWD? If not, what external program (preferably open
source) would you recommend using for this purpose?

Thanks

Blake,
WIN+F1 | type WIFI SECURITY | Enter key

Karl
"Blake Kaos" <> wrote in message news:%...
I use my laptop in public places (e.g. airports) quite frequently and need
to access online banking, stock broking etc. sites.

Does Vista Business provide any kind of special security to prevent baddies
from stealing my UID/PWD? If not, what external program (preferably open
source) would you recommend using for this purpose?

Thanks

"Blake Kaos" <> wrote:

> I use my laptop in public places (e.g. airports) quite frequently
> and need to access online banking, stock broking etc. sites.
>
> Does Vista Business provide any kind of special security to
> prevent baddies from stealing my UID/PWD? If not, what external
> program (preferably open source) would you recommend using
> for this purpose?

This is the problem: On a non-encrypted WiFi network *anybody* with the
skill and determination can snatch whatever is relayed to and from your
computer.

There is little Vista can do about this, the security problem lies in the
fact that the network is... erm.. public.

There are a few things you can do to limit the exposure:
- Keep a software firewall enabled (Windows has one built in)
- Tag whatever public WiFi you use as "Public" in Windows
Network Center, to limit visibility
- Keep your anti-malware programs updated and running
- Make sure Vista and third party apps are all patched up
- Use secure server connections (HTTPS not HTTP) if you can
- Avoid sending/receiving things you can not afford to get
comporomised

Charlie42

Blake Kaos wrote:

> I use my laptop in public places (e.g. airports) quite frequently and
> need to access online banking, stock broking etc. sites.
>
> Does Vista Business provide any kind of special security to prevent
> baddies from stealing my UID/PWD? If not, what external program
> (preferably open source) would you recommend using for this purpose?

The operating system doesn't provide security when using wireless; the
wireless connection does by requiring an encrypted connection and the
websites do by using encrypted pages.

That said, I would not access online banking or stock brokerage sites when
using public wifi. I would wait until I could use a secure connection.


Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:00:02 -0700, Malke <>
wrote:

> Blake Kaos wrote:
>
> > I use my laptop in public places (e.g. airports) quite frequently and
> > need to access online banking, stock broking etc. sites.
> >
> > Does Vista Business provide any kind of special security to prevent
> > baddies from stealing my UID/PWD? If not, what external program
> > (preferably open source) would you recommend using for this purpose?
>
> The operating system doesn't provide security when using wireless; the
> wireless connection does by requiring an encrypted connection and the
> websites do by using encrypted pages.
>
> That said, I would not access online banking or stock brokerage sites when
> using public wifi. I would wait until I could use a secure connection.


I *strongly* second what it says in that last paragraph.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

> I use my laptop in public places (e.g. airports) quite frequently
> and need to access online banking, stock broking etc. sites.

> Does Vista Business provide any kind of special security to
> prevent baddies from stealing my UID/PWD? If not, what external
> program (preferably open source) would you recommend using
> for this purpose?

Those sites should be using encryption. Look for a lock and/or key
symbol in the status bar of your browser. Different browsers use
different symbols.

If you find that symbol, then all data going between your browser and
the remote site is encrypted, and can't be read by anybody who
intercepts it.


--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(Shell/User)

http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

That is easier said than done, if you have to travel overseas for several
weeks at a time. Not only do airports use public Wi-Fi, most hotels offer
Wi-Fi (as well as LAN connections) through a third party contractor. There
is no guarantee that this external Internet provider is not monitoring your
activity; in fact, in some countries (think of someplace hosting some
important event next month), monitoring and tapping into foreigners'
computers is Standard Operating Procedure!


"Malke" <> wrote in message
news:...

> That said, I would not access online banking or stock brokerage sites when
> using public wifi. I would wait until I could use a secure connection.
>

Blake Kaos wrote:

> That is easier said than done, if you have to travel overseas for several
> weeks at a time. Not only do airports use public Wi-Fi, most hotels offer
> Wi-Fi (as well as LAN connections) through a third party contractor. There
> is no guarantee that this external Internet provider is not monitoring
> your activity; in fact, in some countries (think of someplace hosting some
> important event next month), monitoring and tapping into foreigners'
> computers is Standard Operating Procedure!

You asked my opinion and I gave it to you. Look into using a VPN and
possibly remoting into a wired computer at your home or office instead.
That way you'd know for sure that your traffic was encrypted and safe.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ