Precautions when connected to unprotected wifi

[nexusNovice]

When my windows 7 laptop connects to a new wifi hotspot away from home it always asks whether I wish to classify the new source as a home wifi or not - the latter choice offering less than full access to my system. It is not much protection but is a little something.

This does not happen when my Nexus 7 connects to a new hotspot. Does android have a similar way of limiting access to a device when connected to a unsecured wifi hotspot?

If not, is there an app for that function?

What precautions do android device users use to protect against open hotspots (short of not using them at all)?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[engineer]

I'd like to know about this too. I find it scary to connect to a public hotspot. Are there precautions one can take to avoid others snooping in my Nexus?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[bjs229]

I thought the only way was an exploit thru NFC and you need to have expensive special equipment. Not likely at your local Starbucks. I don't use NFC and keep it turned off.
What is it you are so worried about happening? Am I missing something?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

[engineer]

I do not know enough about android to know what to be afraid of. Most PC articles warn PC users not to use public hotspots so I assume there is something to be worried about.
Good suggestion to turn off NFC. Will do so now.

[birdastrompgman]

There are plenty of threats besides NFC theft.  I use Droidsheep Guard.  It has a quirk of giving false alarms when I disconnect from public networks, bu i's far better than surfing unprotected.

[bjs229]

What are some of the basic ways someone can gain access?
Setting up a fake login page and phishing is one way. I was naive. Need to learn more about this subject.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

[martyh]

I second birdastrompgman; I too use Droid Sheepguard.

I also *never* do any banking/credit card access/essentially anything having to do with money and related accounts on public wifi -- ever.

I check my gmail, my gReader Pro app, FB and twitter, and that typically can keep me busy for quite some time. I'll also do web searches and such.

Basically, just be smart when on public wifi.

On a side note: I live one house from the corner, and across that street is a park. There are cars parked along that park all the time, often late at night. About a year ago, the police busted a car with a couple in it, using a laptop and accessing an unsecured wireless network in the neighborhood. I'm guessing they stopped to check out why the people were sitting in their car and discovered said laptop and what they were doing. I don't know whose network they were accessing, but these people are out there, doing their nefarious deeds!

Cheers,
- martyh

[engineer]

Thanks for the tip. I just installed Droidsheep guard.

Has it ever thrown you a warning popup?

Any thoughts about LBE Privacy Guard app? It's apparently "not compatible" with the nexus 7.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[birdastrompgman]

Google faceniff, droidsheep, and arp spoofing for a basic lesson.

Some antivirus programs will give false alarms on Droidsheep Guard.  You can ignore them.

[bjs229]

Very scary.

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[engineer]

Very scary indeed.

Here's a thought :
"Droidsheep guard" is made by the same guy who created Droidsheep, the hacking tool. Makes me wonder if it is really wise to have Droidsheep guard installed on my system, especially as the author says that av apps flag it as malware. Might be like letting the wolf into the hen house!

I know how to protect my windows systems, but android is new to me. Is there a forum for android security, like the many such forums for windows security?

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[bjs229]

I thought the same thing after reading about it. It's like giving a convicted burglar the keys to your house.

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[NordieBoy]

I thought the same thing after reading about it. It's like giving a convicted burglar the keys to your house.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

More like giving the guy who makes skeleton keys the keys to your house.

[birdastrompgman]

AFAIK, the developer wears a white hat. Droidsheep was developed to test networks, and the black hats misuse it. It's not the white hat's fault, & we shouldn't turn down his tool.

I wore  a white hat, btw.

I'm not the lowest of the low, but I am the slowest of the slow (49.5 mpg over 42k miles in  Scion xB)