'WiFi security?' Technology  

WiFi security?

ribbon from around town -

I saw an article a while back about fake hotspots and hackers attempting to get personal info like credit card numbers. How do you find a "safe" hotspot in Uruguay? I am not very comfortable taking my laptop just anywhere.

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Comment #1 Lee from Pocitos -

I use VPN software so whether a wifi hot spot has issues or not, my real connection is through a remote, trusted server.

Comment #2 ribbon from around town -

I will have to look into that. It was one of my biggest concerns while traveling.

Comment #3 Andy from New Zealand -

I would recommend OpenVPN. It is open source and easy to install. Works on windows, linux, etc.

You could install it on your computer at home and your laptop. I would suggest using a "static key".

With that setup, when you surf the internet from your laptop, from anywhere in the world, your connection would really be from your computer at home.

If you checked your IP address it would show your home IP address , not the IP address of the cybercafe you were using.

All data from your laptop to your home computer would be encrypted. If you remember to set your DNS to go through your home computer (and not the wifi service), someone monitoring the wifi network would not even see what what sites you were surfing.

The configuration can be a little tricky, but well worth the effort.

• OpenVPN

Comment #4 TV Addict from watching television -

Wow! Fake hotspots. Well I'll be. I hadn't heard of that or even thought of it. I guess I should have. It seems only natural. Thanks for the heads up and the solutions.

Comment #5 Irv in Pocitos from Montevideo, Uruguay -

Believe it or not, there was/is a scam artist here who was calling people and telling them there was a problem with their taxes and if they sent him a few bucks, he'd fix it for them.

Believe it or not, people sent him the money and of course, he disappeared.

That made the national news. So, I think this country is a long way from anything as sophisticated fake hot spots and personal identify theft. Come to think of it, fake ATM slots haven't made their way here either.

Comment #6 TV Addict from watching television -

So that's all it takes is a phone call? What happens when/if you guys get a phishing email? I hope you just don't get them. It's a shame how many people fall for them.

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