University WiFi Networks

Slogan

Slogan

Slogan

Soldato
Joined
27 Jun 2006
Posts
6,331
Was just wondering how safe these are. I've recently gone into Uni and am fortunate enough to have our whole I.T block Wi-Fi enabled - as well as some nice places like the library and so on.

But if I was to take my laptop into Uni I would probably be using it for some sensitive things, such as email and forum usage - where usernames and passwords are required - more importantly within emails is obviously information from places I purchase stuff from and so on.

I've set up my home wireless with security keys and mac filtering and generally have been half-sensibile when it comes to keeping people 'out' of my home network. But when it comes to a Uni network and it's based around 'letting people in' via wireless - should I be concerned? Is there anything I can do to better protect myself against potential issues?

I'm probably just being over-cautious but I know for as well as the network may be set up, there's always some sort of leet hacker in I.T who has more negative interests.

Thanks.
 
You won't need to send passwords accross the connection for forums, because you already have cookies. There isn't really anything you can do when sending information over the lan, once it's left your computer someone on the network could intercept it, the only thing you can do to prevent that is to make sure that there's an encrypted connection between you and the server. Putting a firewall on your computer may be a good idea to stop people hacking into the laptop from the lan.
 
Last edited:
University IT Depts aren't that daft - e.g. at Durham, the whole network's WPA-Enterprise (RADIUS) protected, which is pretty hardened. In Newcastle, the network's unsecured but you have to connect through a VPN tunnel once you're on - so that, again, is pretty secure.

Most of them have it covered.
 
Slogan said:
I would probably be using it for some sensitive things, such as email and forum usage
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but lol, i wouldn't worry about your "sensitive information" getting in to the wrong hands.

As you said, sounds like your being way too over-cautious.
 
Cheers lads. Just wanted a heads up rather than going wild into it and having an outcome I wouldn't like.

Sp00n, the forums I'm on about are my own - so it would be administrator access rather than someone else being able to make a post or change a signature/avatar. Don't find what's lolworthy about that but fair enough. ;)
 
I've got a related question, so thought I'd post here instead of starting a new thread.

I use a Cloud WIFI hotspot with my iPod touch whilst at work. It's not encrypted, but used MAC filtering. I believe you need to log in through a web site if using a laptop/PC (possibly VPN?) though. My question is, is it possible to make this secure enough to do internet banking on? Is it already secure enough?

Cheers :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom