While the use of open public networks is available throughout the world, most open wireless networks are being phased out and replaced with advanced lobby-based guest access, which requires selfregistration and issuance of a one-time password. These solutions are seen in products such as Cisco ISE and Aruba ClearPass, allowing the secure usage of network locations far outside corporate brick and mortar constraints. This mindset was set into motion to secure and protect the ever expanded mobile and work from home labor force. I use network locations like Starbucks and other Coffee shops to check emails, shop and to do banking when needed. In my case, my laptops and cell phone are managed and configured by my Husband and are set to always VPN home when not connected to our home network, guarding me against simple attacks that could occur. No security solution is ironclad, and I always treat these locations as hostile. I strive to protect my info from people seeing my screen or giving a sniffer attack a chance by not connecting to an encrypted connection provided by the wireless network itself or via VPN, I prefer both but can’t always obtain this outcome. In short, an open wireless network is considered as available and convenient but also unregulated and unsafe, use them with a trepidatious mindset.

Response 1:

Lobby-based guest access is precisely what you did in the scenario you mentioned. While not all lobby-based access implementations are “advanced” think of the last time, you had to request the password or access code from a front desk clerk or cashier. The lobby guest access premiss birthed from a simplistic approach to keeping people from using a resource without purchasing something in return like a hotel room or coffee. Newer wireless technology and management have brought the ability to add self-registration to the lobby guest also called an automated lobby attendant where you as the guest enter your name, email and or room number to verify your privilege to use the wireless access. Tor browser is not related to VPN as tor provides internet anonymity by masking your destination and source locations, but the data in transit is still plain text. VPN uses encryption to conceal the content of the data and anonymity as it only works with a known source and destination to decrypt the traffic at arrival. The Internet is akin to Mad Max a vast dystopian world void of laws and protection against an ever seething tide of vile creatures aiming to destroy you. The United States is amongst the few sovereign nations that proactively targets internet crime and tries to establish a rule of law to govern the web.

Response2:

Hate to pop your bubble, but your cell/mobile data connection is, in fact, a version of a quasi-secure public network. The point is, it is likely less secure than a “public” network that is using high-level encryption and a half decent firewall. As others have pointed out security is not 100% at home or Starbucks while I applaud your stance of don’t touch public networks. Unless one wishes to be removed entirely from the grid and live off of the land, cyber threats will always be a risk no matter what type of network you opt to connect.

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