Fulltimer51 Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Even a secured (password protected) campground WiFi network does not protect my computer from those on the network. Can I use a WiFi network extender or some other device, to protect my computer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 One of the many free or low cost VPN (Virtual Private Network) services would protect you from most network attack vectors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 I too will be interested in this info. I know the right firewall settings on a Mac will make it virtually invisible on WiFi networks, and I often see other computers when I look at who else is connected on a WiFi system. When I do that I do not see either of ours. WiFi Ranger now has a SafeSurf setting that encrypts everything, but I have not had an opportunity to try it since I only did the last update when we returned home this spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulltimer51 Posted May 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Know anything about VPN Book? I know is free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 I can't comment on which public VPN offering is currently best, so I'll leave that to others. I use a corporate VPN service hosted by a former client. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulltimer51 Posted May 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 I understand. I am learning as I go. I have now used windows 7 and created a VPN connection. It says that I am connected. If I open my browser and use public wifi am I now secure? I assume I make the wifi connection before making the VPN connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 There are commercial software packages which will protect you and also make you invisible to others. I use Avast software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docj Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Even a secured (password protected) campground WiFi network does not protect my computer from those on the network. Can I use a WiFi network extender or some other device, to protect my computer? If you use a device such as a WiFiRanger to connect to the local wifi network then you have essentially put a firewall between you and others on the network. I'm no network expert but the NAT translation performed by the router should protect you from most intruders, especially those you are likely to encounter at RV parks which I haven't found to be a hotbed of hacking activity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulltimer51 Posted May 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Thanks to Dutch I'm learning way more than I thought. I find that Google, which I like, is less secure than EI. OpenVPN is more secure than VPN. I don't need a piece of equipment to have secure internet. A free OpenVPN is good price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docj Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 I didn't think to mention that the newest WiFiRanger firmware includes a "VPN-like" function which we call SafeSurf. It acts like a VPN and creates a "tunnel" back to WiFiRanger HQ. Anything sent via SafeSurf is totally encrypted until it exits the tunnel at the WiFiRanger end. This function is accessed with just a single click. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty77_7 Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 I didn't think to mention that the newest WiFiRanger firmware includes a "VPN-like" function which we call SafeSurf. It acts like a VPN and creates a "tunnel" back to WiFiRanger HQ. Anything sent via SafeSurf is totally encrypted until it exits the tunnel at the WiFiRanger end. This function is accessed with just a single click. Hi Joel, I know your on the testing support group for WFR, think Jack was too, and probably others that I've forgotten:)! What kind, if any, performance hit do you see when activating SafeSurf? And, any thoughts on how safe the data is going thru WiFiRanger HQ? Our Fortune 50 Corporation was hacked into via the then ATT center we leased space from 'the communication pipeline' was the access point. (Sophisticated attack, attributed to someplace in China, with the F35 fighter and some F22, being the main data harvested.) Now, our Techie Network Administrators, said they had cautioned the Corporate IT mucky mucks that the 'outsourcing' of this part of the Network would leave us exposed. Mucky mucks said that 'they would manage' the vendor properly. Well, they did not, and dang if the Network Admin peons were not correct:)! And IMO, we had some pretty sharp people at the worker level. I doubt we would have been hacked if we'd kept this in house. Makes me wonder how secure and the networks are baby sat by WiFi Ranger staff? Sure not a slam, but am curious... TIA, Smitty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fulltimer51 Posted May 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 SafeSurf is a registered name http://safesurf.com Just saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docj Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Hi Joel, I know your on the testing support group for WFR, think Jack was too, and probably others that I've forgotten:)! What kind, if any, performance hit do you see when activating SafeSurf? And, any thoughts on how safe the data is going thru WiFiRanger HQ? Our Fortune 50 Corporation was hacked into via the then ATT center we leased space from 'the communication pipeline' was the access point. (Sophisticated attack, attributed to someplace in China, with the F35 fighter and some F22, being the main data harvested.) Now, our Techie Network Administrators, said they had cautioned the Corporate IT mucky mucks that the 'outsourcing' of this part of the Network would leave us exposed. Mucky mucks said that 'they would manage' the vendor properly. Well, they did not, and dang if the Network Admin peons were not correct:)! And IMO, we had some pretty sharp people at the worker level. I doubt we would have been hacked if we'd kept this in house. Makes me wonder how secure and the networks are baby sat by WiFi Ranger staff? Sure not a slam, but am curious... TIA, Smitty Smitty: The performance hit varies and has been difficult to quantify. Sometimes it's hardly noticeable; sometimes it is considerable. A lot probably has to do with network congestion between your location and Boise at the time. I know that WFR has a rather large pipe at its end so that shouldn't be an issue. I'm not the one to respond to the vulnerability issue, but I'll ask the gurus at WFR what they think. Jack and Chris or Cherie might have better responses than I do. I have to admit that I don't normally use the feature because I'm not particularly concerned about people hacking into my HTTPS connections and because I mostly use my own Verizon connection, anyway. But when we were in Canada last week it was nice to be able to connect the Roku through it since it gave us a US IP address and we could stream Pandora and other US-only data sources. Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docj Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 SafeSurf is a registered name http://safesurf.com Just saying. I wonder how all the smart people who were involved in testing this product failed to notice that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty77_7 Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Joel - Great tip on the Canada > USA > Pandora, and other IP address... I shall remember that one:)! Smitty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 I didn't think to mention that the newest WiFiRanger firmware includes a "VPN-like" function which we call SafeSurf. It acts like a VPN and creates a "tunnel" back to WiFiRanger HQ. Anything sent via SafeSurf is totally encrypted until it exits the tunnel at the WiFiRanger end. This function is accessed with just a single click. Joel, How to I tell what firmware my Ranger is running? I'm picking up my new MS in a week. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docj Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Joel, How to I tell what firmware my Ranger is running? I'm picking up my new MS in a week. Thanks Just look at the upper right corner of the Ranger's onscreen control panel. If you're getting a new system it will have the latest firmware. But you can always check by clicking on the "check for update" link in that same corner of the screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Just look at the upper right corner of the Ranger's onscreen control panel. If you're getting a new system it will have the latest firmware. But you can always check by clicking on the "check for update" link in that same corner of the screen. Is there a little panel/display in my unit? I will be picking up my new unit in a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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