Securing Laptop For Use In Public WiFi Areas

Although I have broadband at home and use a NetGear router (WPA2 encryption for the wireless access), I want to occasionally venture out to public places for a change of scenery (such as my local library or StarBucks) to use their WiFi services. These WiFi connections are (generally) not encrypted (protected) by WEP, WPA, etc... and thus, in theory, anyone can snoop around and potentially steal information transmitted over this access point.

On a side note, I already have anti-virus, anti-spyware and a firewall (ZoneAlarm Free) installed on my computer.

I'm looking for a FREE (strongly preferred) or very low-cost [personal client] VPN-type program to "protect" the information that may be transmitted to and from my laptop over this public connection. Ideally, it should be easy-to-use. I would be mostly doing regular web-surfing and emailing (webmail and Outlook / Outlook EXpress). I will not be doing anything requiring personal information (such as credit card / banking information, address, social security number, etc...).

I've not tried it yet, and don't know how well it may work, but I've heard of HotSpot Shield. Any comments on its' effectiveness? Recommendations and other suggested programs?

What about Hamachi (is this the same as LogMeIn?)? Is Hamachi a similar program or something different?

Thanks!!!

 

In which case using a public wifi hotspot will probaby be fine.

An additional security issue which you have failed to note concerns DNS. These are used to connect your browser once you have typed in your request eg www.yahoo.com. You would be trusting the DNS to correctly direct your request. Search for it and you will see what I mean.

VPN would strictly not be used if you were just using a public hot spot. VPN (Virtual private Network) would be used say if you wanted to connect to a pc in your home and you were on a wifi point with your laptop.

For VPN the free version of Logmein will almost certainly fit your requirements.

Good Luck

 

Thanks for your response and information.

At the surface level, I understand what you are saying about DNS. I hadn't thought about that. I had previously configured (if that's the right term) my personal router to use OpenDNS -- I think using it may be beneficial (that's a question, not a statement). I'm now wondering if I should similarly configure my laptop to do the same for the public WiFi -- or is that something completely different?

I guess my original question was to ask whether HotSpot Shield (or something similar) is necessary and effective for "better securing" my laptop when I use it away from home? I also recognize that there are (malicious, expert) individuals who are motivated in stealing personal information and may get to it regardless of what you do security-wise. Help, PARANOIA may be setting in! LOL

As mentioned in my previous, while I do not plan on deliberately transmitting personal information while away from home, there may be others who (perhaps foolishly) might do so.

Thanks again for your help.

 

all you really need is a firewall. as for dns settings, just use whatever is passed out when youre on a hotspot location. no need to be paranoid.

with logmein free, you wont be able to get files like you would be able to with a real VPN connection. you can get logmein pro i believe, and it has file sharing capabilities.