Safe to connect ? - dslreports.com

Author	All Replies
flywireless @bellsouth.net	Safe to connect ? My question is, how safe is it to use some stranger's unencrypted wireless ? Obviously, I mean using encryption (SSL, SSH, SCP, etc). Is this perfectly safe ? I'm starting to think it would be really easy for someone to do a man-in-the-middle on you if they control the router.
flywireless @bellsouth.net	to forum · permalink · 2004-02-15 11:58:12 ·
peeto @ntt.n	No, of course it is not safe. In such a scenario it would be very easy for the network owner to record/delete/replace your traffic. "Man in the middle" attacks are normally very difficult to accomplish but this scenario would make it very simple and easy to do. It also decreases the quality of encryption because the data can be recorded so easily and decrypted later. "Man in the middle" attacks are normally difficult because it would mean something like breaking into the local telephone exchange - it's only a matter of time before you get caught there - which is probably nowhere near enough time to accumulate enough data for successful decryption. But if the data was going through your own house - you can legally spend as much time as you need accumulating data for decryption. Anyways, I have a question. Why are there people on here saying insane things like using WEP isn't completely safe so they're not using it? This is crazy. Do these same people tear up $1200 pay cheques because they're not $1400 pay cheques?
peeto @ntt.n	to forum · permalink · 2004-02-29 23:55:18 ·


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