How secure am I using a hotels internet?

TheBigCheese

TheBigCheese

TheBigCheese

Soldato
Joined
6 Sep 2005
Posts
3,781
Hi everyone

As per the title really, I'm going to be going to a hotel for a week from tomorrow and will be using the internet they offer.

I'm afraid I'm a bit clueless with exactly how safe it is to use...I don't know whether it will be a wifi hotspot or password protected, but how safe am I to connect to it.

Can I still do everything with my laptop such as logging into Steam, using my online banking etc. Will my computer be part of their network or will I be invisible to everyone including the hotel. Is my computer safe in other words?

It is probably a really dumb question but I'm really not up on network security. :(


Thanks very much.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. :)

It's Vista 32 home premium.

Hmmm, that doesn't sound so great, I'll be using it for work emails etc...:(

I think I might give them a ring and ask them, what should I be asking, is it simply "do you run a wireless hotspot" or is there anything I can ask them that someone on reception might be able to identify so I know it's more secure?
 
OK cheers! :)

So just to be clear...if I am connecting to a https it's secure between my machine and the destination - so encrypted through the router/hotspot/hotel in general.

Anything that's not encrypted - treat as if I was being watched.

What's the situation with my PC...are they able to see/access it or do I have to allow that manually?
 
Hopefully Vista will let me connect to a public network, that combined with a firewall will hopefully help.

So...VPN, SSN tunnels...any way of a literate but no way knowledgeable PC bod to get that sorted...tonight?

I'm not asking a lot am I...:eek::confused::p:o
 
Thanks for the posts guys!

Unfortunately I can't leave the PC on at home, the net connection can be a bit unreliable sometimes so it could just drop out.

Thanks for the link ncjok, I'll have a look into it, I am getting pushed for time now though. :(

The main things I would want it for would be checking my email which is setup on the laptop using Thunderbird - is that something that would be unsecured as it's contacting the server to download mails etc.? I will also be needing to log into a couple of forums - including this one, would that be safe or am I better to just browse and not post for a week (the horror!).


House...troll much?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom