Open wifi connections & firewall


mrcranky

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Dec 8, 2010
Messages
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I normally tether my pandora to my mobile phone for data, but in a few weeks I'm going to be traveling and using unknown wireless networks. I know that all non-https data can be viewed by others, but I know little about Ångström. Do I need to do anything to the firewall to increase my security or will I be fine with the basic settings?


Thanks!
 
I normally tether my pandora to my mobile phone for data, but in a few weeks I'm going to be traveling and using unknown wireless networks. I know that all non-https data can be viewed by others, but I know little about Ångström. Do I need to do anything to the firewall to increase my security or will I be fine with the basic settings?


Thanks!
It really depends on how paranoid you are. For most things, the default firewall should do fine. If it really bothers you, you could always just use a 3G adapter, and then your internte usage would remain as private as that from your phone.
 
It really depends on how paranoid you are. For most things, the default firewall should do fine. If it really bothers you, you could always just use a 3G adapter, and then your internte usage would remain as private as that from your phone.


I'm going to be going overseas, and am not going to be buying any type of data plan while I'm gone.


I'm not very paranoid, but I just want to make sure that I am taking the right precautions, and it looks like I don't need to worry.


Thanks!
 
You haven't really said what you're trying to prevent. Like you already said, non-https web traffic will be visible on an open wifi: there is literally nothing you can do to prevent this. Most protocols do not contain any encryption and you can't really stop that.


Things like ssh have built in encryption: if you ssh home you can be relatively safe in the knowledge that no one is spying on you, or if they are it is nothing but gibberish.


Or are you worried about someone hacking into your Pandora? No need to worry, stock firmware doesn't have any open ports anymore, so there's nothing for hackers to connect to and exploit, even on an open wifi.


So yeah, the only thing you should really be worried about is sending unencrypted data over a regular http connection, and there isn't much you can do to stop it.
 
You haven't really said what you're trying to prevent. Like you already said, non-https web traffic will be visible on an open wifi: there is literally nothing you can do to prevent this. Most protocols do not contain any encryption and you can't really stop that.


Things like ssh have built in encryption: if you ssh home you can be relatively safe in the knowledge that no one is spying on you, or if they are it is nothing but gibberish.


Or are you worried about someone hacking into your Pandora? No need to worry, stock firmware doesn't have any open ports anymore, so there's nothing for hackers to connect to and exploit, even on an open wifi.


So yeah, the only thing you should really be worried about is sending unencrypted data over a regular http connection, and there isn't much you can do to stop it.

This is exactly what I wanted to hear. Thank you! Yeah, I'm just going to be browsing, streaming music from my NAS, and using ssh. Great to hear that there are no open ports.


Thanks again!
 
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