Public WiFi

[DesertBerean]

If you use websites using HTTPS, you should be fine. If most websites you use HTTP, you are leaking data.

S'right, I forgot about that.

[Irate Canadian]

If you use websites using HTTPS, you should be fine. If most websites you use HTTP, you are leaking data.

[Paprika]

I'm going to use the library more often. We've upgraded to lots of computers and wifi. Computers are 3 hours every day I think, which may be okay for some of my research of books. But wifi far as I can tell is unlimited. I normally don't trust public wifi. But this is the library. Is there a way to be sure my connection will be secure?

Work on the assumption that any data you download or transmit can be intercepted.

[DesertBerean]

Just saw your post.... I might use my smartphone to check my email etc if I have to.

[DesertBerean]

I can't find it atm but the guidelines say i could maintain.a.reading history and use my own name instead of my library card number. Hm...

[Cow Poke]

Yeah, ALWAYS be suspicious of wifi -- it's so much easier to compromise. Also, keep in mind that the "active" passing of confidential data is much easier to get than data that is stored on your hard drive. In other words, you may have your banking info on your computer, and it's relatively safe on your hard drive -- logging onto your bank's website, or shopping online, or doing anything that transmits your personal info over the "air" makes you much more susceptible.

For the most part, if you're just doing book research, and the library has fairly robust security, you should be OK.

[DesertBerean]

Hm... I don't remember seeing anything like that. ..I'll look again. There was the usual stern warning about using for illegal immoral etc activity.

[Cow Poke]

That depends a lot on the encryption method the library is using. Do you know how "strong" it is? There's probably a disclaimer or something telling you that.

[DesertBerean]

I'm going to use the library more often. We've upgraded to lots of computers and wifi. Computers are 3 hours every day I think, which may be okay for some of my research of books. But wifi far as I can tell is unlimited. I normally don't trust public wifi. But this is the library. Is there a way to be sure my connection will be secure?