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Is wireless internet safty?

Discussion in 'Security and Privacy' started by zhshqzyc, 2009/05/13.

  1. 2009/05/13
    zhshqzyc

    zhshqzyc Inactive Thread Starter

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    I am going to use free wireless accessness provided by campus.
    I have no plan to purchase stuffs with my credit cards online.
    And there are no any important documents in my laptop. I have kapasky internet security suite installed.
    However my only concern is if email accounts or forums accounts could be hacked?

    Any advice?


    Thanks
     
    zhshqzyc,
    #1
  2. 2009/05/13
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Yes, anyone who knows how can sniff the wireless network you connect to and capture all the traffic going in and out. The sniffer would have to be using a linux computer.

    If the wireless network uses encryption, WEP or WPA, the sniffer would only capture encrypted packets, but these security encryptions can be easily compromised.

    Email and FTP use clear text usernames and passwords, thus your logins can be captured and credentials can be read.

    Login forms on Web pages won't get read in plain text by the sniffer IF the login page is HTTPS.
     
    TonyT,
    #2


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