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Birdibus
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 933
Location: Inland SoCal
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 Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:47 am Post subject: paypal safety |
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The usual wireless signal I use in my home, courtesy of my neighbor, is not working today. I drove around town until I found this wireless signal near a starblucks. I am in the middle of a transaction requiring paypal, and I'm wondering if my account is vunerable using a unsecured signal? I'll have to drive back here later to read your replies. thanks
I'm using an Apple iBookG4 by the way.
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blankmange
Type 3 Darksider
Joined: July 17, 2004
Posts: 11497
Location: Bloßer Stahl-preapocalyptic MidCoast
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:17 am Post subject: |
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are you using any type of encryption? if you are unsure of the network (meaning, it isn't yours), how do you know they are using a sniffer for your passwords?
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póg mo thóin
Certified DHS Technician
Samba Member # 24517 |
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Birdibus
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 933
Location: Inland SoCal
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:18 am Post subject: |
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| blankmange wrote: |
| are you using any type of encryption? |
What's that? I'm using an Apple... does that provde any protection?
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blankmange
Type 3 Darksider
Joined: July 17, 2004
Posts: 11497
Location: Bloßer Stahl-preapocalyptic MidCoast
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:20 am Post subject: |
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| Birdibus wrote: |
| blankmange wrote: |
| are you using any type of encryption? |
What's that? I'm using an Apple... does that provde any protection? |
this is easy then: if you don't know what that is, you should not be using an unknown network...
if you don't care about security, send me your passwords...
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póg mo thóin
Certified DHS Technician
Samba Member # 24517 |
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Birdibus
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 933
Location: Inland SoCal
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:24 am Post subject: |
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| blankmange wrote: |
this is easy then: if you don't know what that is, you should not be using an unknown network...
if you don't care about security, send me your passwords... |
But what about encryption? Too much to tell me?
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EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 71996
Location: Phoenix 602
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:26 am Post subject: Re: paypal safety |
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| Birdibus wrote: |
The usual wireless signal I use in my home, courtesy of my neighbor, is not working today. I drove around town until I found this wireless signal near a starblucks. I am in the middle of a transaction requiring paypal, and I'm wondering if my account is vunerable using a unsecured signal? I'll have to drive back here later to read your replies. thanks
I'm using an Apple iBookG4 by the way. |
Logging in an using Paypal is via a secure web form so there is that level of security but using an unsecured wireless network adds some level of risk. I try not to use eBay or Paypal whenever possible if I am connected via an unsecure network.
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blankmange
Type 3 Darksider
Joined: July 17, 2004
Posts: 11497
Location: Bloßer Stahl-preapocalyptic MidCoast
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:32 am Post subject: |
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| Birdibus wrote: |
| blankmange wrote: |
this is easy then: if you don't know what that is, you should not be using an unknown network...
if you don't care about security, send me your passwords... |
But what about encryption? Too much to tell me? |
not too much to tell you, but more surprising is your ignorance at computer security:
| Quote: |
encryption
The manipulation of data to prevent accurate interpretation by all but those for whom the data is intended. Financial institutions use encryption to increase the security of data transmitted via the Internet. |
as far as using a wireless signal that my neighbor provides, I would have to be able to trust my neighbor implicitly with my life, as all of my data is running through his network -- do you know anything about what security measures your neighbor is using to protect your data?
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póg mo thóin
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Birdibus
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 933
Location: Inland SoCal
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:32 am Post subject: |
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thanks, Ev (I'm a 'her'). I'm going to have to look into a special account with a minimum amount of money in it for paypal transactions. My understanding is that sellers have more risks than buyers. I would never abuse the system like some of the stories I read, but I'd like not to become a victim. Makes me hesitant to become a seller online myself. This computer stuff is still new to me.
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 80585
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:00 am Post subject: |
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When you log in to Paypal it uses SSL security and the URL changes from HTTP to HTTPS. When you see HTTPS your data is secure from your browser to Paypal regardless of you wireless connection.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
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spkncarl
Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2005
Posts: 970
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:02 am Post subject: |
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personally I think if you're going to use someone elses internet then you deserve the risks of being a victim.
otherwise pay for it like everyone else then you'll have some security. |
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blankmange
Type 3 Darksider
Joined: July 17, 2004
Posts: 11497
Location: Bloßer Stahl-preapocalyptic MidCoast
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:12 am Post subject: |
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| spkncarl wrote: |
personally I think if you're going to use someone elses internet then you deserve the risks of being a victim.
otherwise pay for it like everyone else then you'll have some security. |
that was my point - I understand that PayPal has its own encryption, but running ANY of your data through an unknown/unsecured network is highly questionable...
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Certified DHS Technician
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Fusillade
Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2003
Posts: 402
Location: Abilene, TX
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:45 am Post subject: |
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| Glenn wrote: |
| When you log in to Paypal it uses SSL security and the URL changes from HTTP to HTTPS. When you see HTTPS your data is secure from your browser to Paypal regardless of you wireless connection. |
True. Yet I still can't bring myself to perform financial transactions on a wireless network. I'm still slightly paranoid.
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veedubcrazy
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2005
Posts: 2191
Location: La Porte, Tx.
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:52 am Post subject: |
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Cash in hand, paid in person and recieving a reciept is still best. 
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 80585
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Fusillade wrote: |
| Glenn wrote: |
| When you log in to Paypal it uses SSL security and the URL changes from HTTP to HTTPS. When you see HTTPS your data is secure from your browser to Paypal regardless of you wireless connection. |
True. Yet I still can't bring myself to perform financial transactions on a wireless network. I'm still slightly paranoid. |
HTTPS uses SSL encryption... it's point to point so the fact that you are on and unsecured wireless network doesn't matter.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
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Birdibus
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 933
Location: Inland SoCal
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| Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:30 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the discussion, everyone. I'm back parked in my Westy on a shady downtown street that has 5 different wireless signals for me to choose from.
By the way, my paypal transaction is complete. It was for a part bought through the Samba classifieds. Not all vendors are willing to wait for money orders, etc.
If all I have on my computer is a few stories, some email, and some photos and music, I don't really have anything to hide from anyone. My neighbor is generous to share her signal, and she doesn't know about hacking or anything like that.
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coW
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004
Posts: 2096
Location: New England
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| Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:21 am Post subject: |
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As already mentioned, HTTPS uses encryption and that is good enough for most things you’re doing. If you see the padlock icon on your browser (macs have them too), you are pretty safe.
There is no such thing as ultimate security – the only thing that might stop someone is that it is just too much work for the payoff.
An encrypted WIFI connection would just make that one level more secure as one would have to crack the WIFI encryption first before you can even attempt to crack the HTTPS data stream - both highly unlikely, especially if you consider that it is a lot of work just to gain access to your account data.
In actuality, an unsecured WIFI connection is about as secure (or insecure, if you will) as using a cable modem connection - both can be listened to without too much trouble.
If you are using any network, install a firewall on your PC or Mac.
A firewall will protect your surfing activities in that it tends to protect you against certain malicious scripts. It will especially help with people trying to access your PC without you knowing (i.e. file sharing, RPC calls, etc - google as necessary) |
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David
Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2004
Posts: 2058
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:32 am Post subject: |
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Just make sure you change your PayPal Password the next time you are at a secure computer/network.
Problem sorted.
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Dave
*October '54 Ragtop
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coW
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004
Posts: 2096
Location: New England
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| Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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| V0LKSWAGENSRULE wrote: |
Just make sure you change your PayPal Password the next time you are at a secure computer/network.
Problem sorted. |
If I was out there trawling for usernames and passwords, I would have changed it already so it'd be too late.
Don't worry about it - you're fine. |
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Birdibus
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 933
Location: Inland SoCal
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| Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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thanks, all... from your friendly airwave pirate, coming to you tonight via a very weak signal... fading...fading...fading
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