Security

I have gone on for a few posts about where one can find open WiFi spots and I have not yet talked about security. For some of you security while on line is not a big deal or something we may not know about. Most of us, myself included from time to time just open the old Laptop up at some random Free Spot and start working on this or that. However, there are times that I need security while on a public WiFi.


The best way to secure yourself while using an open WiFi or Free Spot is with a VPN (virtual Private Network). In general VPN uses public Internet lines in one of several unique fashions to create a virtual private network. The VPN can operate between educational institutes, companies and government to provide secure and efficient traffic for their users via a set of software and hardware protocols that encrypt traffic. I don't want to get into the nitty gritty of what a VPN is or is not, but I want to let you know that they are out there.


If your company or Educational institution has a VPN and you have the passwords to use it, than do so. This will make it so others on the same free spot with a computer can't see or even access your computer. The down side of this is that if you are on your companies VPN then that means the IT department can see what you are doing, and if you are looking for a new career on line this could get back to your boss.


Luckily there are some free programs that basically create a free VPN for you. One of the best I have seen so far is Hot Spot Shield. Hot Spot Shield creates a VPN between your computer and secure server. Each client has his or her own account that no one else can access, unless you wear your password on your forehead with a sticky-note.


Canadian's can benefit form this program two fold, not only is your internet usage more secure when you're out in public, but Hot Spot Shield will tunnel you to an IP address in the United States. This means that even Canadians can go back to listening to Pandor Radio, or watching the latest TV shows on Hulu because to the server you are accessing, it looks like you are somewhere in the United States, when actually you are sipping coffee in an Ottawa Bridgehead.


Anther option that I can think of is an add on for FireFox called Foxy Proxy that works in much the same way as Hot Spot Shield but runs within your fireFox browser. You will need to download FireFox if you have done so already and then download Foxy Proxy to run within FireFox. Just like Hot Spot Shield, Foxy Proxy can be switched on and off when ever you like and does not require any new hardware.


Enjoy and Digg.