public wifi security

[martyh]

I am wondering what everyone does for security when using their N7 on a public wifi? Anything I can do in the way of settings, apps, etc. that will help protect my transactions/passwords?

Cheers,
-mh

[birdastrompgman]

Don't make any transactions over public wi-fi, and run an app like Droidsheep Guard.  It shut my wi-fi connection down when it detected a Droidsheep snooper on my local community college's wi-fi.

[martyh]

Don't make any transactions over public wi-fi, and run an app like Droidsheep Guard.  It shut my wi-fi connection down when it detected a Droidsheep snooper on my local community college's wi-fi.

thanks, birdastrompgman, re: Droidsheep Guard.

OK, so no transactions, per se; but is reading & sending email or tweets the type of transactions to which you refer? Let's assume I'm already signed in to all my Google accts so I won't be entering an ID or pw.

Thanks again.
- mh

[birdastrompgman]

You're welcome, martyh.

I meant no financial transactions over public wi-fi.  Never type or send credit card information, SSN, bank account PINs, etc.  I don't risk much if I send my account password to this forum over unsecured wi-fi.  But I sure wouldn't make a Paypal payment online from my local coffee shop.  That can wait until I get home to my secure WPA2 wi-fi.

[monroe]

There are settings for VPN(virtual private network) on the Nexus 7. One would need a VPN service- take a look at Witopia.

[birdastrompgman]

VPN is a very specialized way to get into a secured site like your workplace from outside its firewall.  The OP asked about making transactions over public wi-fi, which is a couple of levels away from VPN.  There's far too much risk in sending SSNs, bank account numbers, Paypal passwords, and credit card numbers over a public wi-fi service to a variety of host computers.

[monroe]

Following is a quote from Witopia:
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is technology using hardware, software, or both to secure and privatize data across a network, usually the Internet, by building what techies call an “encrypted tunnel.”

Data passes through this “tunnel,” protected from anyone who tries to intercept it. Even if the data is intercepted, it is hopelessly scrambled and useless to anyone without the key to decrypt it.

Large businesses commonly use VPNs between offices to secure company data, and often provide individual “remote access” VPN solutions to home-based or traveling employees to protect data between them and the company’s network.

You also use a VPN when you bank or shop online and see the https:// in your web browser. Unfortunately, the protection with an https:// session is temporary and limited to that specific website.

With WiTopia’s VPN service, you initiate the secure encrypted tunnel from your side, so it is not dependent on the websites you visit. Your security and privacy is now maintained whether you see an https:// or not. Still, even with the protection of the VPN service, you should use https:// where available for end-to-end security to a specific website.

It’s also important to note that the protection and privacy we offer is not limited to just browsing. Our VPN service encrypts and anonymizes all your Internet data to and from our VPN gateways. This includes Skype, IM, streaming, e-mail, as well as browsing.

[S.Prime]

Witopia is like having a VPN in your pocket and it does provide an encrypted tunnel for internet traffic as a service, for which you will pay a monthly or annual charge. If you need anytime security or if you live in a censored country, you may find the service worth the charge. For me, I will, as Bird said, "Wait until I get home."

[rainman4tech]

2 things for me about public Wi-Fi 1. Use https for any connection you can (gmail, Twitter and Facebook) it encrypts your connection from you to their server now that at least those servics have at least partially enabled it. 2. Use at the minimum WAP for Wi-Fi encryption of you can influence it, yes I know the local provider has to be the one to do it (hence the "if you can influence it“). Even if all use the same password for the connection each user will be using a different key and will not be decodable by the group. All traffic between you and the access point will be encoded and not in the clear.
Rainman

[DNP]

Witopia is like having a VPN in your pocket and it does provide an encrypted tunnel for internet traffic as a service, for which you will pay a monthly or annual charge. If you need anytime security or if you live in a censored country, you may find the service worth the charge. For me, I will, as Bird said, "Wait until I get home."

I have WiTopia, on my PC and my iPhone and so far im very hapy with it. Now I want to use it on my Nexus  7.

Does anyone now how to set it up on a Nexus 7?

[S.Prime]

I  have not used Witopia, but have you tried the support setup for Android at Witopia support at www.witopia.net/support/setting-up-and-using-your-vpn/android/

[frank]

VPN or not, most of us grab up free apps like candy.  Those free apps could include key loggers and the like, especially if you are rooted.  Best just to avoid anything financial from mobile devices imho.