Security at Starbucks or any other hotspot?
What type of security am I getting at Starbuckies, or at any other hotspot for that matter?
I constantly go to Starbucks to enjoy a couple of hours with my favorite drink, but I always wonder why the person accross the room is always so into his laptop, is he/she spying on me or someone within the store?
Is it possible? If so, how can I protect myself from someone spying on me?
I constantly go to Starbucks to enjoy a couple of hours with my favorite drink, but I always wonder why the person accross the room is always so into his laptop, is he/she spying on me or someone within the store?
Is it possible? If so, how can I protect myself from someone spying on me?
Sounds like someone might be a little paranoid ;)
But seriously, in the age of the mobile office, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. etc... Is it really that peculiar to see people deeply engaged in their laptops? Do you have the same concerns when someone is intently staring at a newspaper?
To answer you question, yes it is possible. Of course it depends on what kind of security Starbucks uses on their routers/access points (WEP, WPA, etc.). It is possible for someone to broadcast a network id that would appear to be Starbucks, requires you to login (which I assume Starbuck's wifi access does) and then captures your uname and password, thus giving them access to your Starbucks login to use elsewhere.
I don't know how rampant this is, and please don't take this as the ultimate and final word on the issue. I would say to make sure you ask the counter ppl the name of the Starbucks network (to ensure you connect to the right network) and also confirm what kind of network protection the use. I know the WEP is easily crackable, and I believe the early forms of WPA are possible as well. I highly doubt a money-whore like Starbucks would be using a WEP protected router, though :)
But seriously, in the age of the mobile office, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. etc... Is it really that peculiar to see people deeply engaged in their laptops? Do you have the same concerns when someone is intently staring at a newspaper?
To answer you question, yes it is possible. Of course it depends on what kind of security Starbucks uses on their routers/access points (WEP, WPA, etc.). It is possible for someone to broadcast a network id that would appear to be Starbucks, requires you to login (which I assume Starbuck's wifi access does) and then captures your uname and password, thus giving them access to your Starbucks login to use elsewhere.
I don't know how rampant this is, and please don't take this as the ultimate and final word on the issue. I would say to make sure you ask the counter ppl the name of the Starbucks network (to ensure you connect to the right network) and also confirm what kind of network protection the use. I know the WEP is easily crackable, and I believe the early forms of WPA are possible as well. I highly doubt a money-whore like Starbucks would be using a WEP protected router, though :)
@jakethecatuk
A firewall does nothing for pulling packets out of the air :)
A firewall does nothing for pulling packets out of the air :)
It's a lot easier to presume SOMEONE will try to snoop on your laptop's traffic. A decent software firewall like the one that comes with a lot of Trend Micro products is a good start.
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Alternatively, install a decent firewall on your laptop. This link http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-firewall.htm has a list of the some of the better free firewalls.