Laptopia
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2006
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My family and I are staying in an extended stay hotel while we are moving. The hotel has free but unsecured wired and wireless internet access. I checked it out, and sure enough, it's basically like connecting to an insecure, open LAN. I was able to see about fifty guest computers on the network--unbelievable (I didn't click through, of course).
Even with file sharing turned off and other security features enabled (we are using a combination of Windows 7 netbooks and Macbook Pros), I wasn't comfortable with the security posture of the hotel network, so, I installed a configured a wired/wireless router combination (D-Link DIR-655) to put between our machines and the hotel network, but still be able to use the provided internet connection.
The internet port on the router is connected to the wired network port in the room. I set up WPA2 encryption for the wireless feature of the router, but am not clear on just how much security the router might be offering from a wired perspective.
Would be interested to know how much security this router might offer if we are connected (with the router in the middle) using Cat6 patch cables. Would it be safer to stick with the wireless function versus wired, given I am positive there is (WPA2) encryption?
By the way, this is one of those hotel networks that somehow invokes a redirect to their own website each time you connect, then one can surf freely.
Even with file sharing turned off and other security features enabled (we are using a combination of Windows 7 netbooks and Macbook Pros), I wasn't comfortable with the security posture of the hotel network, so, I installed a configured a wired/wireless router combination (D-Link DIR-655) to put between our machines and the hotel network, but still be able to use the provided internet connection.
The internet port on the router is connected to the wired network port in the room. I set up WPA2 encryption for the wireless feature of the router, but am not clear on just how much security the router might be offering from a wired perspective.
Would be interested to know how much security this router might offer if we are connected (with the router in the middle) using Cat6 patch cables. Would it be safer to stick with the wireless function versus wired, given I am positive there is (WPA2) encryption?
By the way, this is one of those hotel networks that somehow invokes a redirect to their own website each time you connect, then one can surf freely.