WiFi Protection?

In thinking about the BD Safepay, and similar apps, I do not understand how a hacker intercepts a transaction on an unsecured WiFi.

Can a hacker intercept a signal, and if so does the protection like Safepay prevent that? Where does the hacker break into the transmission?

Thanks,
Jerry (in the slow group)

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man-in-the-middle_attack

There's a lot of info on the web, just google "man in the middle attack".

This also:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firesheep

 

Using a VPN service would make me feel safer on WiFi.

 

Thanks,Vic.
Jerry

 

You don't need to worry on a secured home network with a hard firewall typically built into your ISP's modem router. You'll be perfectly safe online even with traditional browsers.

You do need to be cautious on unsecured public networks with no encryption. You can either use BD Safepay and a free VPN to browse your banking and online shopping sites or use a USB flash drive with a kiosk browser like Webconverger. Unsecured public networks have no protection and its easy for hackers to steal passwords and valuable info. If you must really do sensitive business, try to do it at home but sometimes you have to do it on the road and that means being proactive in securing your personal information online.

 

Thanks for the comments and education.
I have never look into a VPN, and have no idea where to get one or how to set it up.
Thanks,
Jerry

 

There are a large number of Threads discussing VPN's in the following forum section:

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=40

This is an example VPN Thread:

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=341534

 

Many VPN providers have completely automatic client-side software. A very affordable option is Private Internet Access, which works reasonably well. I've also used Witopia which is better, but a little more expensive. Once you subscribe you're given a download link for the client software. Then whenever you want to enable the VPN you just tell the client to connect - really it's a no-brainer.

 

Thanks, I appreciate the help.
Jerry

 

I see that HotspotShield has a free version. Any knowledge of that one?
Thanks,
Jerry

 

The free version of Hotspot Shield is a mixed bag. It's actually ad-ware and places ads at the top of the page in the browser. They engage in "data mining" (they claim that no personally identifiable information is gathered) and I also found their software quite intrusive the last time I tried it. So I guess I'm not recommending it It's free though and you can always uninstall it if it doesn't suit you.

 

I don't want that.
Thanks,
Jerry

 

Some Free VPN's are listed here:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-anonymous-surfing-service.htm

 

I recommend SecurityKISS Tunnel, easy and efficient. Free version has a daily 300 MB data cap, but that should be enough for occasional public WiFi use.

 

Many thanks. I will take a look at the freebies.
Is a VPN complicated to use?
Regards,
Jerry

 

Here is the SecurityKISS How-To Video along with the SecurityKISS Manual:

http://www.securitykiss.com/resources/tutorials/

 

Thanks, again All. You have been very helpful.
Jerry