You probably
already heard the one about the dozens of so-called security experts who were embarrassed to see all their logins, usernames and passwords displayed for all to read at the Black Hat Security conference. If you didn't,
then you can check out Brian Krebs scathing item on the subject of security
black sheep
here. The delegates were all warned that if they didn't follow strict security, they'd all be named and shamed in this manner. According to Krebs:
iPhones and other mobile devices with wireless access were among the top contributors to this year's "Wall of Sheep," a public shaming exercise debuting at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas this week that aims to educate people about the dangers of sending e-mail and other online communications over open wireless networks.
There was a simple solution to the problem, they all should have made sure they added a little s, to the http:// to make it https:// before logging in to their webmail accounts etc. However, one added layer of security would have been possible if they had opted to launch hotspot shield.
I've detailed the ins and outs of Hotspot Shield on Sciencetext.com in recent months, it basically creates a virtual private network (VPN) for you, which has an IP address on a remote server way beyond the reach of any local network. Whether that's the wireless access at a conference, your hotel, or the free wifi hotspot at Starbucks. It takes your internet activity outside the local loop and that not only makes your connection infinitely more secure than logging in while connected to a wireless LAN to which your fellow skinny cappuccino fans are also connected, but means that if you are outside the US, you can connect to systems that allow access only to people connecting to the net via a US IP address, if you catch my draft potential UK hulu.com users.