View Full Version : Is it safe (hack safe) for me to use someone else's Wifi network ?
BodyShot213
06-02-2006, 12:49 AM
Someone who lives around me has it open for everybody to use.. Seeing how I know very little about computers how safe is it for me to use this person's network without leaving my computer vunerable to a hack?
I'll assume that your neighbor knows that his network is open and he agrees to share it with the local area. Otherwise don't do it. You are likely committing a crime. It's rude at best.
Anyway, if you are running a software firewall such as ZoneAlarm set on stealth mode, then you are basically as safe as is possible while still being on the internet.
It's the same situation if you take your laptop to a wifi hotspot. If you're not running a software firewall set on high, you're asking for trouble.
booger19a
06-09-2006, 10:22 PM
Depends on what you mean by "safe".
Do you mean "safe" like, will I be safe to use his connection without fear of being caught & forced to pay for using his connection? I think you would be safe.
If by "safe" you mean are your passwords/credit card/personal data safe travelling over this connection - the answer is NO WAY.
Anything you send to the internet the person running this could be watching if they're savvy enough.
How do you know this open wifi hotspot wasn't setup open on purpose to sniff passwords/etc from people. Far fetched I know, but it could happen and you wouldn't have to be a brain surgeon to do it.
If by "safe" you mean are your passwords/credit card/personal data safe travelling over this connection - the answer is NO WAY.
Anything you send to the internet the person running this could be watching if they're savvy enough.
This is true no matter how you connect to the internet. ANY data you send through the net takes an indeterminate number of hops through various networks before it gets to its final destination. Anyone with sufficient access to any one of these networks can sniff your data.
That's why sensitive information should only be sent via SSL encrypted connections (using https://www sites). The data is still sniffable, but it is prohibitively expensive to decrypt the public/private key encryption used.
arbiter
06-10-2006, 09:24 PM
If you're using wireless, everything you do can be intercepted by the person running the network. If you're not using WEP or WPA encryption, it can also be sniffed by anyone with some tools off the net. Even if you are using encryption...someone who wants to bad enough and who is willing to spend enough time could decode your traffice and find passwords, usernames, account numbers from it.
Basically, wireless is fine for casual browsing, but if you're not on a network you really really trust, or that you have control over...I'd be very careful what you do.
Oh, and if you don't have permission, or it's not labled for public use, don't use it.
Pope On A Rope
06-10-2006, 10:03 PM
Your neighbor probably has no idea what he's doing. And any place that stores passwords that anyone would want to steal encrypts them.
I'd just enjoy having free internet if I were you.
Sanosuke Sagara
06-10-2006, 11:31 PM
Your neighbor probably has no idea what he's doing. And any place that stores passwords that anyone would want to steal encrypts them.
I'd just enjoy having free internet if I were you.
exactly. Everyone's not a hacker; most people keep their network open b/c they don't know how to change any settings. And don't worry, the police aren't gonna come knockin.
Cao Cao
06-11-2006, 02:16 AM
Don't worry, warriding is safe, unless you count the risk of your computer contracting Winorrhea, Fifiwis, WirPes (Winplex A), and WIF.