Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 3 replies
  • Subscribers 9 subscribers
  • Views 112 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

How safe are Public Wifi Networks?

Lisa Miles
Hi all


I hope one of you can help me.


One of my Facebook contacts (an old classmate from school) has asked this question on his newsfeed. I vaguely remember a lecture being held at Savoy Place (pre-refurb times) in which a speaker gave a rather apt demonstration by, before the delegates arrived, setting up his own 'public' wifi hotspot. During the lecture he displayed on screen the contents of a private email and the browsing history of someone in the room who had connected to his hotspot. 


I can't remember who the speaker was but I do remember watching a video of it. I'd like to be able to forward a link to it to my friend.


Does anyone recall such an event? I think it was at the IET but I can't be 100% sure.


Thanks in anticip.......ation. wink


Lisa
Parents
  • 0
    Lisa,


    Cannot help on IET talk, but went to a EEMUA Cyber Security Seminar last week, and a speaker (from Sophos) said that public WIFi Hot spots are EXTREMELY easy to spoof & to set up piggy in the middle site that will capture anything you look at.  You will not know this is happening.  It could be someone sitting on the next table that's carrying the fake hot spot.


    So the answer, in very unsafe.


    Personally I do not trust any wifi / wireless communications system.  None at home, only use physical wires.


    Guy,

Reply
  • 0
    Lisa,


    Cannot help on IET talk, but went to a EEMUA Cyber Security Seminar last week, and a speaker (from Sophos) said that public WIFi Hot spots are EXTREMELY easy to spoof & to set up piggy in the middle site that will capture anything you look at.  You will not know this is happening.  It could be someone sitting on the next table that's carrying the fake hot spot.


    So the answer, in very unsafe.


    Personally I do not trust any wifi / wireless communications system.  None at home, only use physical wires.


    Guy,

Children
No Data

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines