Internet Security While Traveling for Business

[techygirlD]

I often travel for business and my work requires me to be engaged even while on the go. During travel I generally only have access to unsecured internet networks offered at airports, coffee shops, etc. Wondering what measures I can take to keep my information safe when I need to use this type of internet network.

 

[arnydnxluk]

You're looking for a "VPN" (Virtual Private Network)! There are plenty of VPN providers out there for personal use e.g. HideMyAss. However your employer may already require you to connect into their own network via a VPN for remote work, in which case your web browsing may already be secured over that connection.

Another point is to ensure the websites you're browsing are marked as secure in the browser (meaning you're connecting over HTTPS and everything is encrypted).

 

[Alan]

VPN is the safest way.

In theory HTTPS is safe, but if the internet provider sends a bogus SSL ( some do as a mater of course ) then you are vulnerable - and if you happen to use any non HTTPS even for a few seconds a malicious operator can steal all your cookies very quickly.

It all depends on the risk profile of the work you are doing.

 

[Kixo]

yes a VPN is the first answer, https is a good thing as well but no guarantee, i'm a security tester and if i was to setup my own fake network in a starbuck i could remove or replace the https of sites. By far the best method is a VPN from your workplace.

A good VPN will be fast as well, some cheaper services are very slow. Ideally your IT team will provide a good VPN back to the office for you.

Simple steps like asking at the hotel reception or cafe till for the official hotspot name and password, it will improve your chances of it being a proper network, its easy to setup something with a friendly name of "Free-WiFi" and its scary how many people will connect to it!

Also make sure when you connect to a network you computer should ask you if its a public / private / or work network, always choose public as this will set your firewall to the highest setting.

Also never ever ever ever accept a free USB stick from a trade show or anywhere - single most dangerous thing you can do. - But a VPN is great!

 

[Alan]

Nice post Kixo.

Too many people don't understand the risks.

I gave a free presentation yesterday of Cyber Security - 12 small businesses booked places - what was shocking was only 2 turned up, showing what low priority small businesses place on security.

I'm sure that 90% of the businesses owners here that have CMS's would be sh****g themselves after my little demonstration of what SQL injection really means and other goodies.

 

[Craig Bird]

VPN is the way to go, we have a nifty always on solution that initialises a VPN connection to a cloud gateway which provides filtering of known bad (blacklisted) sites, blocks malware, detects data leakage etc.

 

[techygirlD]

Thank you for all the responses everyone! This was awesome, and you gave me some good things to think about. I am definitely going to spend some time thoroughly looking into vpns before my next trip. I'll also mention it at work and see if I already have one and I am just not aware of it.

 

[steved45]

VPN provides a safe and secure and fast way to safeguard your business or home network.
Does depend on the protocol.